Nearing its Release, iOS 17.5 Will Not Be Missed With These Features From iOS 17.2

The Journal app and Contact Key Verification were just two of the many innovations included in the update, which was launched months ago.

As Apple gears up to make iOS 17.5 available to everyone, you might not have seen every feature that the tech giant packed into iOS 17.2. The much-anticipated Journal app and Contact Key Verification were two of the many helpful new features included in that update, which was launched in December. Fun features include the option to use Live Stickers to respond to communications. 

These are the iOS 17.2 features that you might have overlooked.

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The Journal mobile application

With iOS 17.2, Apple finally made the Journal app available. The software was not included in the rollout of the September 18 update, despite being announced by the tech giant alongside iOS 17 at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

During WWDC, Apple revealed that the app generates customized writing recommendations through on-device machine learning. Certain recommendations are generated by utilizing data from your iPhone, such as images you've clicked and songs and podcasts you've listened to all day. The software reminds you when you go to make an entry of the podcast you listened to earlier in the day, which is something I do frequently.

Additionally, the program provides you with a list of Reflections—a list of possible writing themes. "Write about a time you gave someone an unexpected gift," and "Who cheers you up when you're feeling down," were a couple of mine.

You can just write by hitting the New Entry button if you don't want to use a reflection or write about what you listened to. You can write anything you wish to write in your journal entry, record a voice note, take a picture, or record a video in New Entry. 

For some privacy, you can also lock the application for a predetermined period of time after it has closed. The app will ask for your Face ID or passcode to open again if you close it and don't open it again for a predetermined period of time (say, five minutes).

Verification of Contact Key in Messages

After being teased by Apple in December 2022, Contact Key Verification was eventually included in iOS 17.2. 

"With iMessage Contact Key Verification, users who face extraordinary digital threats -- such as journalists, human rights activists and members of government -- can choose to further verify that they are messaging only with the people they intend," Apple stated in a release from the previous year.

Although many individuals won't fall victim to a cyberattack, Apple stated that Contact Key Verification adds an extra degree of protection for those who might. 

Use Live Stickers to React

With iOS 17, Apple debuted live stickers, a feature that allows you to make your own stickers from photos you've taken. You may use your Live Stickers to respond to texts in Messages on iOS 17.2. Long-press on a text like you would to add a reaction, then select Add Sticker from the drop-down menu to bring up your stickers. This will allow you to react with a Live Sticker. 

updated Apple Music preferences

The $11 monthly fee of an Apple Music subscription entitles you to automatic song additions to your library in iOS 17.2. Go to Settings > Music and tap the toggle next to Add Favorite Songs to turn off this feature if you don't like it.

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Increased Memoji personalization

With iOS 17.2, a new menu named Body allows you to customize the appearance of your Memoji's body. This menu allows you to change the waist, bust, shoulders, and arms of your Memoji. Memoji isn't a full-featured character creator menu like you'd see in a video game, as there are now only three options available in each of these areas.

Modify the haptics and preset notification noises.

Apple allows you to customize the default notification sound with iOS 17.2. Apple has never before let iPhone owners customize the default notification sound. You can choose between new and vintage tones in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Default Alerts to alter the sound.

You can also adjust your haptics under the Default Alerts menu by selecting Haptics, located near the top of the page. Select from a few different haptic patterns below, or hit Create New Vibration to make your own bespoke haptic. 

Photos and Apple Music collaborating

After updating to iOS 17.2, Photos will request permission to access your Apple Music library when you launch the app. The screen claims to be able to curate music for your Memories using tracks from your library.  

AppleCare and Warranty section

With iOS 17.2, there is a new option named AppleCare and Warranty under Settings > General. You may discover which of your devices are covered by a warranty or AppleCare by selecting this option. This option was known as Coverage in earlier beta versions.

Recap arrow in the messages

You may learn more about what's going on in a texting group or whether someone is sending you a lot of messages with the new feature in iOS 17.2. If you wake up from a slumber with a ton of messages, you may start with the new ones and follow the drama for context because the beta returns the catch-up arrow to Messages.

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Early iOS 17 betas contained the catch-up arrow, but it has now vanished. 

New ways to distribute contact posters

With iOS 17.2, you can now share your Contact Poster via FaceTime and the phone. You can share your name and photo by selecting the Share Name and Photo option under Settings, under Phone or FaceTime. By tapping here, you may choose whether your phone should always ask permission before sharing your Contact Poster with contacts, or whether it should share it automatically. Before, this feature was exclusive to Message. 

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