iOS 17, the seventeenth and current major release of Apple's iOS operating system for the iPhone, was announced on June 5, 2023, at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference. It succeeded iOS 16 and was made publicly on September 18, 2023, as a free software update for supported iOS devices.
iOS 17 receives frequent security updates and feature updates every few months until the release of iOS 18. Beta builds are released regularly for members of Apple's Developer Program and public beta testers. As with previous releases, these updates are provided at no additional cost to users.
Internally known as "Dawn," iOS 17 was initially intended as a "tuneup release" to allow Apple to focus on their new mixed reality headset. However, several major features were added later in the development cycle, contrary to initial plans.
According to Apple's website, iOS is available download on newer iPhone models like the iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone SE (second generation and newer), iPhone 12, iPhone 13, and iPhone 14. However, earlier iPhone models will not be compatible with system update.
Yes, general release refers to the availability of the software to all users whose devices can support iOS 17. To update your phone, you can either wait for a notification alert or manually initiate the update. It is recommended to backup your data before updating.To manually update, follow these steps:
If there is insufficient storage on your device for the new iOS, a message will appear asking you to temporarily remove apps. You can choose to hit "Continue" and the apps will be restored after the installation is finished. Alternatively, if you prefer to manually remove apps before updating, you can hit "Cancel."
If you need to use your phone during the day, you have the option to select "Install Tonight." This will install iOS 17 while you sleep, as long as your device is charging.
Additionally, you can enable automatic updates by going to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates. This will ensure that your iOS device updates to the latest version overnight when it is connected to Wi-Fi and plugged in.
iOS 17 is compatible with iPhone XS and newer models, providing a seamless and less burdensome experience on both older and newer iPhones. However, certain features truly shine on newer models, such as the iPhone 14 Pro. Nevertheless, it is still recommended to use iOS 17 even if you have an older iPhone, as you can still enjoy about 90% of its benefits. For instance, StandBy mode worked on my XR, although I had to lock my screen for it to function properly when the display's sleep timer was turned off. Once in StandBy mode, the display will go to sleep after a short period of time.
Reference source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IOS_17