One of the very last iOS 17 updates is here because iOS 18 is now out. If that sounds confusing, here’s the reasoning. Any phone that runs iOS 17 can run iOS 18. But not everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon with a new update on day one. So iOS 17 offers the security and bug fixes without the uncertainties of iOS 18.
The iPhone 15 is the last iPhone that can use iOS 17. All new iPhone 16 models will come with iOS 18 … (+)
Which iPhones can run iOS 17.7?
All currently available iPhones from the iPhone Xs onwards run iOS 17. This means that it is also available for the iPhone Xs Max and iPhone XR, which were released in 2018. All subsequent iPhones are also compatible. This means the iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 series. This also includes the second and third generation iPhone SE models.
How to get it
Updating is easy: Open the Settings app, click General, then click Software Update. This will allow you to download the new software immediately, which usually means it will be available on your iPhone more quickly. Select Download and Install, and the software will be available on your phone immediately.
What is included in the publication?
Apple doesn’t mention any new features and it’s clear that this update focuses on bug fixes. Apple’s notes state: “This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users.”
In other words, the security updates that are part of iOS 18 are also available here. Forbes colleague Kate O’Flaherty talks about the security issues here.
Apple will not maintain this dual-release system for the entire year that iOS 18 is available. Rather, there will likely be one or two more iOS 17 supplemental updates focused exclusively on bugs and other security issues, almost certainly in parallel with the release of the iOS 18 updates. The next planned iOS 18 update is iOS 18.1, due in October, with iOS 18.2 expected in December.
But it could well be that there will be smaller updates over time. Last year, the sudden overheating of some iPhone 15 models led to an almost unprecedentedly quick software update. That shouldn’t happen this time, by the way, as Apple has redesigned the thermal envelope in the iPhone 16 hardware.
I will report later this week whether an upgrade to this version (and indeed to iOS 18) is worthwhile.
