iPad OS 17: What You Need to Know

Apple has announced iPad OS 17, the latest version of its operating system for iPad devices. iPad OS 17 brings new levels of personalization and versatility to the iPad, with features such as a redesigned lock screen, third-party app stores, updates to native apps, and a new Health app. Here are some of the highlights of iPad OS 17.

A Customizable Lock Screen

One of the most noticeable changes in iPad OS 17 is the new lock screen, which lets you customize your iPad with wallpapers, widgets, and live events. You can choose from a gallery of beautiful wallpapers or use your own photos to create unique backdrops and styles. You can also add widgets to your lock screen, such as weather, calendar, news, and more. Widgets can be interactive and show you relevant information at a glance. Live events are another feature that lets you access live streams, concerts, sports, and more from your lock screen.

A New Health App

Finally, iPad OS 17 introduces a new Health app for the iPad, which lets you manage your health and fitness on a larger screen. The Health app syncs with your iPhone and Apple Watch to show you your health data, such as heart rate, sleep, activity, nutrition, and more. You can also access health records, health tips, and wellness programs from the Health app. The Health app also works with other health apps and devices that are compatible with iPad OS 17.

Messages Gets More Interactive with Enhanced Communication Tools

Messages offers new ways to connect, including a stickers experience with emoji stickers, and the ability for users to create Live Stickers from their own photos by lifting a subject from the background. Users can also add effects to Live Stickers that help bring conversations to life. Available from the keyboard, a new drawer gathers all of a user’s stickers in one place for easier access across iPadOS.

New Messages features include an expandable menu that appears with a simple tap for easy access to the user’s most frequently used iMessage apps. The search experience is improved with filters — including people, keywords, and content types — that allow more specificity in finding exactly what users are looking for. Users can now easily jump to their last-read message in an active group chat, and replying to a message inline is even simpler and quicker by swiping on a message bubble.

Audio messages are transcribed automatically so users can read them in the moment or listen later. When a user shares their location in Messages, it shows up live in the conversation until the sharing session is over.

More Expressive Ways to Communicate with FaceTime

In FaceTime, users can leave an audio or video message when someone doesn’t pick up the call. 

FaceTime calls also get more expressive with Reactions, such as hearts, balloons, fireworks, laser beams, rain, and more. The new effects can be activated through simple gestures, and third-party video-calling apps can take advantage of them as well.

iPad OS 17 is expected to be released in September 2023, along with iOS 17 for iPhones. It will be a free upgrade for all compatible iPads. If you want to try it out before then, you can sign up for the beta program on Apple’s website.