Discover the Latest Features in iOS 17.3 Beta 1 Update

So, what changes and new features does the latest iOS operating system bring for users? Let's explore through this article.

Enhanced Device Theft Protection

Earlier this year, there were reports of a series of iPhone thefts where thieves tracked victims to steal device passwords. This resulted in emptied bank accounts and untraceable iPhones.

To prevent such incidents, Apple introduces Stolen Device Mode in iOS 17.3 to enhance security. If someone attempts to steal an iPhone and its password, this feature will thwart the attempt. When Stolen Device Mode is activated, accessing passwords in iCloud Keychain, turning off Lost Mode, deleting content, and making purchases in Safari all require Face ID or Touch ID for authentication.

Certain actions such as changing your Apple ID password also require Face ID authentication and take an hour to occur. So, if you (or someone else) attempt to modify your ‌Apple ID‌ login information, you'll need both ‌Face ID‌ authentication and then wait an hour before updating the password. However, if you're in trusted locations like your home or office, there won't be this waiting period.

Here are the actions that require biometric authentication when Stolen Device Mode is activated:

• View/use passwords or codes saved in iCloud‌ Keychain
• Apply for a new Apple Card
• View the virtual ‌Apple Card‌
• Turn off Lost Mode
• Delete all apps and settings
• Perform certain Apple Cash and Savings actions in Wallet
• Use payment methods saved in Safari
• Use your ‌iPhone‌ to set up a new device

Note that these actions don't have password backups, so you can't use a password to bypass ‌Face ID‌ or ‌Touch ID‌ authentication. Actions requiring biometric authentication and a one-hour security delay include:

• Change your ‌Apple ID‌ password
• Update selective ‌Apple ID‌ account security settings, including adding or removing trusted devices, trusted phone numbers, Recovery Key, or Recovery Contact
• Change your ‌iPhone‌ passcode
• Add or remove ‌Face ID‌ or ‌Touch ID‌
• Turn off Find My
• Turn off Stolen Device Protection

Stolen Device Protection is available on all iPhones running iOS 17, including ‌iPhone‌ XS and later. This opt-in feature can be enabled in the Settings app by going to ‌Face ID‌ & Passcode and toggling the Stolen Device Mode feature.

Collaborative Apple Music Playlists

For the first time, Apple experimented with collaborative Apple Music playlists in iOS 17.2, but the feature was removed before the software was released. However, this feature made a comeback in iOS 17.3 beta, indicating that Apple just needed a little more time to iron out the issues.

In iOS 17.3, you can take any of your existing playlists or create a new one, then invite others to join and contribute to the playlist. You can invite friends, family members, and others who share your musical interests, seemingly with no limit on the number of contributors.

To use the collaboration feature, simply access the playlist in the ‌Apple Music‌ app and tap on the person icon. You'll be able to create a link that you can send to others, and anyone invited can access the playlist. There's an option to approve each participant, and turning off this option will open it up to anyone with the link. Playlist creators can remove people, delete songs, and disable collaboration at any time.

In iOS 17.3, Apple has added a neat reaction emoji feature that allows listeners to add emoji reactions to any currently playing song to express their feelings about that particular track. There are standard quick-access emoji options like the heart and thumbs up, but with the '+' button, any emoji can be added.