Apple is releasing iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 on September 18th

iOS 17 will be available for public download on September 18th, introducing iPhone users to new features like Live Voicemail, StandBy mode, and a new Journal app. Apple made the announcement during its iPhone 15 launch event on Tuesday after first unveiling the operating system at WWDC on June 5th.

The full-release version of iPadOS 17 will also launch on September 18th, adding new ways for iPad users to interact with widgets and personalize their lock screen. iPadOS 17 is compatible with sixth-generation iPad models, fifth-generation iPad mini, third-generation iPad Air, and second-generation iPad Pro 12.9-inch models or later. You can find a full list of compatible models on the Apple website.

Following its full release, iOS 17 users can create customizable stickers, set up Contact Posters, and benefit from various improvements to autocorrect and voice transcription. You can also activate Siri without having to say “hey” first, and the new Live Voicemail feature will display a live transcript on your screen as a voicemail is being recorded if you don’t answer your phone. We particularly like the new StandBy mode that turns your iPhone into a little bedside clock when placed on its side.

NameDrop also allows iOS 17 users to easily share contact information over AirDrop by bringing two iPhone devices together. Apple has warned in the fine print of its press release that some of these iOS 17 features may not be available for all countries or regions, so you’ll need to check Apple’s website if you have your eye on something in particular.

Some folks have had access to the latest iPhone OS for a while, so we already had a good idea of what to expect — members of Apple’s developer program were able to download it almost immediately after the WWDC keynote, for example, and the initial public beta was launched back on July 12th. iOS 17‌ is only compatible with ‌iPhone‌ models equipped with the A12 Bionic chip or newer, which unfortunately means the iPhone XR / XS will be the oldest models that can download the update.

You can check which iPhone models are compatible over on Apple’s website, alongside a full breakdown of all the fixes, features, and updates for iOS 17.