Apple iOS 17 Beta 2 Released: Here’s Everything New In The Latest Update For iPhone And iPad

Apple announced the iOS 17 update for iPhone devices at the WWDC23 and even released iOS17 beta 1 to developers. This week Apple sent out iOS 17 beta 2 to those who have enrolled in the Apple Developer Program.

The iOS 17 update isn't filled with new features and functions. Apple appears to have taken a cautious approach and tried to improve the stability and reliability of iPhone devices. Let's look at the changes in the iOS 17 beta 2 update.

Update Information, Tap To AirDrop, Micro-Location Option Detected

Apple is sending out the iOS 17 Beta 2 release to developers and beta testers. It includes a number of small tweaks and changes which indicates Apple is refining the operating system update before the stable version is released to the general public.

Some of the changes in the second beta version of the iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 include a redesigned update screen with more information for the beta software as well as several of the key features from the WWDC announcement.

The iOS and iPadOS update screen now shows more information about the beta software. It includes details about joining a beta program, which is strange because the beta update is delivered only to users who have already joined the program. The panel does caution users to back up before they install beta software.

There's the new tap to AirDrop feature which allows users to touch their devices to initiate file transfers. It is similar to Tap To Tap, which means users have to gently place their iPhone devices on top of each other to transfer content permitted by Apple.

The Location Settings page within System Setting now includes a new "MicroLocation" option. It is not exactly clear how the feature works, but some reports suggest, if enabled, the feature would provide even more detailed location data for apps and location sharing.

Message Check-In, Music App, Standby, And Apple Music Widgets Updated

In the Messages section of the Settings app, Apple has changed the wording of the data options for the Check-In feature. Users can automatically send full or limited location data to contacts when they reach a destination. Previously users could choose "Current location only" or "All locations visited".

StandBy mode now supports the option to turn off all notifications. Notifications classified as "Critical" will be delivered even when the feature is off.

The Apple Music app can control crossfade length of between 1 and 12 seconds, in-between songs. Some of the ‌Apple Music‌ widgets are now available in different size options.