Apple released iOS 17.2, following the October release of iOS 17.1. This update brings security fixes, patches, and new features. Notable additions include the Journal app, spatial video capture on iPhone 15 Pro, Action button customizations, and updates to the Messages app.
Journal App
The new Journal app on iPhone allows users to reflect and practice gratitude through journaling, enhancing well-being. Users can capture everyday moments, add photos, videos, audio recordings, locations, and more to create rich memories.
On-device machine learning offers personalized suggestions, and customizable notifications aid in developing writing habits. The Journaling Suggestions API enables third-party apps to suggest moments for users to write about. Privacy is a priority, with encrypted entries and on-device creation of suggestions.
Record Spatial Videos
iOS 17.2 enables iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max users to record spatial videos in three dimensions. Users can capture these videos in 1080p at 30 frames per second, delivering stunning spatial memories in a compact file size.
The Camera app makes capturing spatial videos as easy as regular videos. These videos appear as regular 2D videos and can be watched or shared using apps like Messages. Spatial videos are organized in a new Spatial album in the Photos app, syncing across devices with iCloud.
iOS 17.2 introduces several additional features:
- Catch-up arrow for easily jumping to the first unread message in a conversation.
- Contact Key Verification for enhanced security.
- The Action button on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max includes a Translate option.
- New keyboard layouts supporting 8 Sámi languages.
- Sensitive Content Warning for stickers in Messages.
- Qi2 charger support is added for all iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 models
- AirDrop improvements, including expanded contact sharing options.
- Favorite Songs Playlist in Apple Music for quick access to marked favorites.
- Option to disable Listening History in Apple Music during Focus mode.
Check out the complete change log below
Journal
- Journal is a new app that lets you write about the small moments and big events in your life so you can practise gratitude and improve your well-being
- Journaling suggestions make it easy to remember your experiences by intelligently grouping your outings, photos, workouts and more into moments you can add to your journal
- Filters let you quickly find bookmarked entries or show entries with attachments so you can revisit and reflect on key moments in your life
- Scheduled notifications help you keep a consistent journaling practice by reminding you to write on the days and time you choose
- Option to lock your journal using Touch ID or Face ID
- iCloud sync keeps your journal entries safe and encrypted on iCloud
Action Button
- Translate option for the Action button on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max to quickly translate phrases or have a conversation with someone in another language
Camera
- Spatial video lets you capture video on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max so you can relive your memories in three dimensions on Apple Vision Pro
- Improved Telephoto camera focusing speed when capturing small, faraway objects on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
Messages
- Catch-up arrow lets you easily jump to your first unread message in a conversation by tapping the arrow visible in the top-right corner
- Add sticker option in the context menu lets you add a sticker directly to a bubble
- Memoji updates include the ability to adjust the body shape of any Memoji
- Contact Key Verification provides automatic alerts and Contact Verification
- Codes to help verify that people facing extraordinary digital threats are messaging only with the people they intend to
Weather
- Precipitation amounts help you stay on top of rain and snow conditions for a given day over the next 10 days
- New widgets let you choose from next-hour precipitation, daily forecast, sunrise and sunset times, and current conditions such as Air Quality, Feels Like and wind speed
- Wind map snapshot helps you quickly assess wind patterns and access the animated wind map overlay to prepare for forecast wind conditions for the next 24 hours
- Interactive moon calendar lets you easily visualise the phase of the moon on any day for the next month
This update also includes the following improvements and bug fixes:
- AirDrop improvements including expanded contact sharing options and the ability to share boarding passes, cinema tickets and other eligible passes by bringing two iPhones together
- Favourite Songs Playlist in Apple Music lets you quickly get back to the songs you mark as favourites
- Use Listening History in Apple Music can be disabled in a Focus so music you listen to does not appear in Recently Played or influence your recommendations
- A new Digital Clock Widget lets you quickly catch a glimpse of the time on your Home Screen and while in StandBy
- Enhanced AutoFill identifies fields in PDFs and other forms, enabling you to populate them with information such as names and addresses from your contacts
- New keyboard layouts provide support for 8 Sámi languages
- Sensitive Content Warning for stickers in Messages prevents you from being unexpectedly shown a sticker containing nudity
- Qi2 charger support for all iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 models
- Fixes an issue that may prevent wireless charging in certain vehicles
Availability
To update, eligible iPhones and iPads can download iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2 via Settings > General > Software Update. For those unable to update to iOS 17, Apple has also released iOS 16.7.3.