If you own an Apple smartphone, you should always make sure you’ve got the latest iPhone update. While new updates introduce new features and functionalities, they also bump up the security and do away with any software faults, making the iPhone experience even cleaner for day-to-day use. In this guide, we’ve got all the details on the latest iOS 17.5 update, as well as how you can download it for yourself.
For more help to get around your Apple hardware, we’ve got guides on how to scan with iPhone, how to delete apps on iPhone, how to delete albums on iPhone, and how to use an iPhone flashlight. Or, if you’re looking for something fun to get into once the update is complete, check out our picks for the best iPhone games.
How do I get the latest iPhone update?
You can the latest iOS iPhone update, version 17.5, providing it’s part of the iPhone XR range or a more recent model. Unfortunately, any model pre-dating the iPhone XR isn’t able to update to the latest software, so if you want the freshest iOS, you may need to get a newer device. You can see the full list of compatible devices on the Apple support site.
If you have an iPhone capable of upgrading to the most recent software update, follow these simple steps to update your Apple device.
- Plug your iPhone into a charger (updates can take a long time and drain a significant amount of battery)
- Unlock your iPhone
- Head to the ‘settings’ menu
- Select the ‘general’ option
- Hit ‘download and install’ at the bottom of the screen
What’s new to iPhone update 17.5?
With the iOS 17.5 update mainly addressing bug fixes, there isn’t much to report on in the way of new features. Still, if this is your first update since getting iOS 17 late in 2023, we thought we’d include some of the most significant new features from then until the recent release of 17.5, so you can decide whether it’s worth updating.
Podcast transcripts
One of the big new features of iOS 17.4 is the introduction of podcast transcripts. No longer do you need to keep repeating the last 15 seconds to try and that quiet bit of dialogue, with your iPhone doing the hard work for you. It’s only a little thing, but it’s very useful if you want to quote your favorite podcaster.
Battery health for iPhone 15
While this feature is exclusive to iPhone 15 users, it’s still a pretty useful one. You can now get more information on the battery health of your device, including when it was made and first used, to keep on top of when it might be time to get a replacement phone. It’s not the most exciting of inclusions, but it can be useful for those looking to pick up a pre-owned iPhone 15 in the future.
Game streaming apps
While most of the changes as part of the iOS 17.4 update are exclusive to Europe, this one is worldwide. Now, you can use apps like Xbox Cloud Gaming and others on your iPhone. It might not seem like it, but this is a pretty significant change in tact from Apple.
When is the next major iPhone update?
We’re anticipating the next major iPhone update, iOS 18, to arrive in September 2024. This is going to be the most significant update in years, bringing with it RCS messaging, new home and lock screen customization tools, and yes, AI features. This is what many have been waiting for since smartphone competitor Samsung first revealed Galaxy AI earlier this year.
iOs 18 introduces Apple Intelligence, Apple’s spin on smartphone AI. With Apple Intelligence, you can create custom emojis based on prompts, use new photo editing tools, and connect to ChatGPT to get in-depth answers from Siri. The unfortunate news is that Apple Intelligence only runs on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, though we’re anticipating that all four iPhone 16 devices come with enough processing power to utilize the new AI features.
With that, you’re up to date on the latest iPhone update for iOS 17.5. To find some fun titles to try on your newly updated device, see our picks for the best mobile MMORPGs. Or, if you can’t wait to get your hands on the next Apple device, check out our guide to everything we know about the iPhone 16.