The iOS 17 public beta version is now online, and iPhone users with compatible models can get the first experience!

It should be noted that the beta version of the software is not the final version, and there may be some bugs. Apple recommends installing beta only on non-critical devices and backing up all data before installation.

Although there are risks, it is also a big advantage to experience the cool new features of iOS 17 in advance.

How to participate in the iOS 17 public beta program?

iOS 17 public beta supports iPhone XS (2018) and subsequent models. Use Safari browser to access the Apple Beta Test Program website and click "Register" to register with your Apple ID. If you have previously participated in the test plan for your Apple device, select Sign in.

Before registration, you need to agree to a detailed terms and conditions specifying the risks of installing the beta software, which is the standard process. On the registration page, click "Open Beta Update" and the system will guide you into the "Settings" app on your phone and select "iOS 17 Public Beta". Your iPhone will start downloading the software, and you will receive an installation notification after the download is completed.

[Related: Apple's latest automatic correction update makes it easier to type swear words]

To return to this page, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Update. You can exit beta at any time in this menu.

To completely exit the Apple Beta test plan, use the Safari browser on your iPhone to access the logout page and click "Exit Apple Beta Software Plan".

But before you decide to quit the Apple public beta program, try some of the most fun and useful features that iOS 17 offers.

1. Standby mode

Standby mode turns your iPhone into a smart display that displays information such as time, weather forecasts, and photos when you are not using the device. The iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max models always display information, while older models need to touch the screen to view it.

This feature is enabled by default and you can turn it off in the Standby option in Settings. You can also customize notifications, and turn night mode on or off (apply red tones in low light).

Standby mode will automatically start when you lock your iPhone, charge, or place your iPhone in a tilt (rather than flat) or landscape orientation. Swipe left and right to switch between other screens, and long press the widget to customize.

2. Offline map

After a long wait, Apple Maps finally caught up with Google Maps, allowing you to save specific map areas for offline use. This feature is very useful if you are abroad, want to save data traffic, or go to places with weak signals. The map you save on your phone will contain all the data on the online map, except for real-time traffic information. This means you can still find information such as the store’s opening hours.

In Apple Map, long press your profile picture and click "Offline Map": You can view the downloaded map, or select "Download New Map" to save a new area. The platform will automatically update the map you saved in the background, as long as there is a new Apple map version released.

The Offline Map menu also allows you to choose to download maps over cellular and Wi-Fi or only via Wi-Fi and force Apple maps to enter offline mode when there is no cell phone signal.

3. Real-time voicemail

Real-time voicemails will display live transcripts when someone leaves you with a message, allowing you to decide whether to answer the call or process it later. If you think it is important, click "Ask" to stop the voicemail and answer the call. But if you decide to process it later, you can click on the voicemail icon (two underlined circles) to view the transcription text and then dial it after you know what the call is.

This feature is enabled by default when installing iOS 17, and you can turn it off in Phone and Live Voicemail in Settings.

4. Camera Level

A new leveling feature is added to the default camera app for iOS 17 to help you compose and align subjects. To enable it, click Camera in Settings and turn on the Level switch. If you used the grid function in iOS 16 before, the level will turn on, but now you can toggle both of them separately.

To use the level function, open the camera app. When you try to take a photo, three gray lines will appear in the center of the view frame, and the middle lines will tilt as you tilt your phone. When the middle line aligns with the lines on both sides, it means that the shooting angle is horizontal – the line will turn yellow and disappear, and you can take a photo.

5. Contact poster

iOS 17 allows you to create your own contact poster, a graphic that appears on the other person's phone when you make a call. You can select the image (or your Memoji) and customize the text font and background.

If you see a message prompting you "Update your name and photos" when installing iOS 17, you can click it to set up your contact poster. Otherwise, you can access the same settings later by opening Contacts, clicking My Business Card, and then clicking Contact Photos and Posters.

You can set up multiple contact posters, using different colors, pictures and font combinations. On the same screen, you can set the contact poster to show only to the people in your contact list, not everyone you call.

6. Personal Voice

iOS 17 has a new accessibility feature called "Personal Voice" that allows your iPhone to speak in your voice. It has great potential for those suffering from disability or degenerative diseases that affect their ability to speak. Once your voice has been saved to your device, you can type text and have your phone read aloud in apps like FaceTime.

[Related: Some simple accessibility settings that can make your smartphone easier to use]

You need to record about 150 phrases with your iPhone so that it can synthesize your voice, but you don't have to do all of them at once. To start, go to the Accessibility section of Settings, click Personal Voice, and then click Create Personal Voice. Please note that all data that supports this feature will be stored locally on your device only.

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