Update July 31 with details of an extra new feature coming with iOS 17.6.
The latest iPhone update is here and it may be the last one before iOS 18 lands. As you’d expect, much of it is about bug fixes—there are almost three dozen of those—but there was a new feature in the mix, too, called Catch Up, for the TV app. More on that below.
Is iOS 17.6 the last iPhone update in this cycle?
And now it’s transpired that there’s another update in the mix, though like me you might not have seen this if you don’t live in the right place.
By which I mean, this new feature is for users in Japan only. And don’t be jealous, it’s a feature you may have already. It’s Emergency SOS via satellite, something which arrived on the iPhone 14 in 2022, but this highly useful emergency extra was originally for the U.S. and Canada only and spread to other countries later. Now, it’s coming to Japan as part of the iOS 17.6 update.
As pointed out by Juli Clover at MacRumors, “Japan has several different emergency contact numbers, and all of them work with Emergency SOS via satellite, including 119 for contacting fire and ambulance services, 110 for contacting the police, and 118 for contacting the coast guard. Satellite connectivity can also be used for updating Find My location when out of range of cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity. The feature works for people living in Japan, as well as visitors to the country.”
While many of us are waiting for the launch of iOS 18 in a few weeks’ time, Apple reminds us that it’s still got eyes on iOS 17. The latest iOS 17.6 release may be the last major update before iOS 18, though we mustn’t rule out surprise bug squishes that mean iOS 17.6.1 or similar will still happen. Here’s what’s in the new release, including probably the last new feature of the iOS 17 cycle.
And let’s remember, it’s been a long time since the last time Apple updated the iPhone software. After iOS 17.5 on May 13, came the very swift minor update, iOS 17.5.1, a week later. Since then, nothing.
There was almost going to be another, apparently, which would have been iOS 17.5.2, though this was ditched—full details of that here.
Which iPhones Can Run iOS 17.6?
The iPhones that can run iOS 17 stretch back to the 2018 releases: iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max and iPhone XR. All iPhones since then are also compatible. That means the iPhone 11 series, iPhone 12 series, iPhone 13 series, iPhone 14 series and iPhone 15 series. It also includes iPhone SE second- and third-generation models.
How To Get It
In case the time that’s elapsed since iOS 17.5.1 means you’re a little rusty, this is how you update: open the Settings app, click on General, then Software Update. Here you can choose to download the new software immediately, which will usually mean it’s on your iPhone sooner. Pick Download and Install, and you’ll be set up soon enough. In terms of download size, iOS 17.6 was 1GB on my iPhone 15 Pro Max.
What’s In The Release
This update is mostly about bug fixes—35 in total—and Apple’s notes are basic: “This update provides important bug fixes and security updates and is recommended for all users.”
But that doesn’t mean there are no new features. There’s one, to be exact. It’s Catch Up, a feature for the Apple TV app designed to benefit sports viewers.
Specifically, it’s for live streaming sports in the MLS Season Pass. The feature was announced in June and it means that if you’re joining a live stream for a game that’s already started, you can see a series of highlights from earlier in the game. The Key Plays carousel is available during a game that’s in progress and also from video player controls menu afterwards.
If one new feature seems parsimonious, it’s because Apple has delivered everything it promised in iOS 17 already.
Unless iOS 17.7 is a thing, which we’ll know about in a few days when the first developer beta lands, it’s now full steam ahead towards iOS 18.