Apple confirms when iOS 17 will be released for your iPhone

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iOS 17 running on an iPhone
(Image credit: Apple (Edited))
iPHONE 15: What you need to know

Teaser image for Apple Wonderlust event

(Image credit: Apple)

- Apple Event - LIVE updates
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Pro /iPhone 15 Pro Max
- Apple Watch Series 9 / Ultra 2
- iOS 17
- watchOS 10

At the 'Wonderlust' iPhone event, Apple unveiled a series of hardware innovations sure to get your pulse pounding and your bank balance breaking a sweat. But fear not: Apple also slipped out some updates that don't require you to spend a wad -- notably iOS 17.

Alongside announcing Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and the iPhone 15 series, Apple has also confirmed that iOS 17 will launch on September 18. And in addition to the latest and greatest hardware, the new operating system will be made available to iPhone XS and above.

If the delivery of the new update matches that from previous years, we expect iOS 17 to arrive around 10 am PT, and 6 PM BST next Monday.

A big year for iOS

The latest operating system for Apple's iPhone is a grab-bag of new features this year. It includes the instantly iconinc StandBy Mode, which lets you can turn your phone into an interactive alarm clock, as well as widgets you can interact with directly on the home screen.

Safari also gets an update with 'Profiles'. This feature lets you add multiple accounts for different people or different uses; you can make a browser for work and one for home, for example. If you've ever sweated managing bookmarks and tabs, you'll appreciate the ability to better separate your web browsing on your new iPhone 15.

There's a new Action Button on the iPhone 15 Pro, and you'll be able to set it to launch apps and shortcuts, all within iOS 17. Imagine a dedicated Twitter button or immediate access to whatever game you're currently addicted to.

With less than a week to go until iOS 17 arrives, we recommend making an iCloud backup of all your important content. From photos to videos, it's always a good idea to prepare your iPhone before updating its software.

The same goes for when you're upgrading your iPhone. Transferring data will likely require iOS 17 to be installed, so make sure it's updated when you're about to upgrade to iPhone 15, or 15 Pro.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 15 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, iOS 17and watchOS 10 coverage so far.

Daryl Baxter
Daryl Baxter
Features Editor

Daryl is iMore's Features Editor, overseeing long-form and in-depth articles and op-eds. Daryl loves using his experience as both a journalist and Apple fan to tell stories about Apple's products and its community, from the apps we use every day to the products that have been long forgotten in the Cupertino archives.

Previously Software & Downloads Writer at TechRadar, and Deputy Editor at StealthOptional, he's also written a book, 'The Making of Tomb Raider', which tells the story of the beginnings of Lara Croft and the series' early development. His second book, '50 Years of Boss Fights', came out in June 2024, and has a monthly newsletter called 'Springboard'. He's also written for many other publications including WIRED, MacFormat, Bloody Disgusting, VGC, GamesRadar, Nintendo Life, VRV Blog, The Loop Magazine, SUPER JUMP, Gizmodo, Film Stories, TopTenReviews, Miketendo64, and Daily Star.