Apple has flicked the switch and released iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 to everyone. After many weeks of developer and public beta releases, those with a slightly less adventurous streak can download Apple latest software for its smartphone and tablet platforms.
The list of new features and options is detailed on Apple’s iOS 17 website and the iPadOS 17 site.
While many of the changes are superficial, like making apps more accessible in Messages and new Lock Screen widgets as well as more interactivity with other widgets, there are some interesting new security features.
Lockdown Mode adds features and reaches Apple Watch
Lockdown Mode boosts security in iOS and iPadOS in order to protect people who beg live they may be targeted by parties trying to steal their data. In iOS 1 there are some further protections such as the removal of geolocation data from photos and stops you from connecting to Wi-Fi networks that aren’t secure.
And, where appropriate, those security features now extend to the Apple Watch.
Safari gets stronger
Apple has been adding new security features to Safari over the last few years. Safari strips tracking information from web addresses that can be used to uniquely identify your device and track you. Many marketers and other services add tracking information to the end of a URL. When you look at a link, you’ll often see a long string of seemingly random characters. Often, the first character in the strong is a question mark and it follows what looks like the ‘proper’ address.
Safari will strip all those extra characters to stop you from being tracked. You’ll need to go to Settings | Safari to enable the new blocking features.
The road to a passwordless life is opening up
Apple’s support for passkeys has been ramping up for a while. As more sites add support for this new, secure passwordless technology your Apple devices will be ready.
And Apple has also added a new feature that allows you to securely share passwords with rusted people connected via a shared group.
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.