Here’s a quick rundown of several new iPhone features that Apple promised to deliver to customers with iOS 17, but booted into 2024.
Apple previews major new OS versions at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), held annually in June. Anyone with an Apple ID can test beta OS versions during the summer, before updates release to the general public in the fall.
But not all of the promised features arrived at launch. Those not ready for prime time get delayed, arriving via point updates at a later date, and iOS 17 is no different.
Apple booted these iOS 17 features into 2024
Here are the four iPhone features that’ll be released in 2024 via upcoming updates to iOS 17, based on Apple’s exhaustive PDF document that has been updated with references to features “coming in an update in 2024.”
1. Collaborative Apple Music playlists
The ability to collaborate on Apple Music playlists with other people who share your musical tastes briefly appeared in the iOS 17.2 beta, but was removed from the shipping version. The feature is scheduled to arrive in March with iOS 17.3.
After installing the update on your iPhone, you’ll be able to hit a new mugshot icon when editing a playlist, allowing you to invite friends to collaborate on it. A unique link is created for people where they can add, remove and reorder songs in the playlist.
2. Stolen Device Protection
Stolen Device Protection is the name of a new security feature designed to thwart attempts to break into a victim’s iPhone and change their Apple ID credentials, preventing remote wipes. iOS only requires device passcode to reset an Apple ID account password or unlock saved passwords for critical apps like banking software.
With Stolen Device Protection turned on in Settings > Face ID‌ & Passcode, however, changing an Apple ID password will require ‌Face ID‌ authentication and a 60-minute wait period (unless at a trusted location like home or work). Stolen Device Protection is coming with iOS 17.3 in 2024.
3. AirPlay in hotels
iOS 17 should make it easier to AirPlay to hotel TVs, but Apple doesn’t seem to have secured necessary agreements with participating hotel chains to have this feature ready at launch. Instead, it will arrive in an iOS 17 update next year.
“Select hotels” will need to update their software to display a unique QR code on AirPlay compatible TVs in rooms. You’ll simply scan this code with your iPhone’s camera to AirPlay to the TV set without entering any password.
4. App sideloading in Europe
Thanks to EU regulators, the App Store will no longer be the official place to get apps for your iPhone—alternative stores, like the Epic Games Store, are coming soon! It’s a change Apple won’t make lightly, but is coming nonetheless.
If it doesn’t comply with the bloc’s Digital Markets Act by March 2024, Apple could face fines up to twenty percent of its global revenue. You can rest assured that sideloading will be implemented in a highly controlled manner and only within the EU. This will require an iOS update to enable sideloading for customers in Europe.
Missing features that could come with iOS 18
Aside from the above features, we expect Apple to make good on some of its older promises, including the next-generation CarPlay experience, RCS support, etc.
What’s up with next-generation CarPlay?
In June 2022, Apple previewed a major CarPlay overhaul. An impressive demo video showcased next-generation CarPlay taking over a vehicle’s entire instrument cluster and integrating with car features like air conditioning and FM radio.
Apple was supposed to announce the first vehicles to support the version of CarPlay in late 2023. The company wouldn’t say when the next-generation CarPlay experience might be ready for prime time, but it won’t be this year for sure.
RCS messaging support—confirmed!
Apple is adopting the Rich Communication Services (RCS) standard backed by Google and carriers in its Messages app, allowing Android customers to exchange tech messages with their iPhone-toting friends that support read receipts, typing indicators, high-quality media attachments and more.
The official press release says RCS support will arrive “later next year.” This suggests RCS support will launch as part of iOS 18 rather than in an update to iOS 17.
Smarter Siri, large language models and generative AI
Speaking of which, iOS 18 is also supposed to make Siri smarter. Thanks to large language models, Siri in iOS 18 should use generative AI to “improve how both Siri and the Messages app can field questions and auto-complete sentences” while improving other apps like Pages, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.