With each iOS update, the game is on to quickly update and take advantage of new features. This time, iOS 17 takes your iPhone experience to a new level with interactive widgets, intelligent text prediction, the Check-In feature in Messages, and other enhancements. Before you hit that download button, though, read our step-by-step guide to ensure your transition to iOS 17 is as smooth as possible.
Things to Do Before Updating to iOS 17
There are several things that shouldn’t be overlooked before making the leap to iOS 17. We’ve laid them out so that you can hit the ground running when you update.
Check Device Compatibility
Even though Apple is great with support for older devices when they push out new updates, it’s still important to note which devices are eligible for iOS 17.
| iPhone 15 | iPhone 13 | iPhone 11 |
| iPhone 15 Plus | iPhone 13 mini | iPhone 11 Pro |
| iPhone 15 Pro | iPhone 13 Pro | iPhone 11 Pro Max |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | iPhone 13 Pro Max | iPhone XS |
| iPhone 14 | iPhone 12 | iPhone XS Max |
| iPhone 14 Plus | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone XR |
| iPhone 14 Pro | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone SE (2nd generation or later) |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
For iPadOS 17, the number of supported devices is also impressively high, spanning several device generations:
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation and later) | iPad Pro 10.5-inch | iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later) |
| iPad Air (3rd generation and later) | iPad (6th generation and later) | iPad mini (5th generation and later) |
Clean Up Your Storage
Now that you know your device is eligible for the update, this is an excellent time to eliminate unused apps and create some extra space on your device.
Open “Settings -> General -> iPhone Storage” to see how much free space is available. Swipe right on any app you no longer use to delete. Ideally, you need around 8GB of free space for the iOS/iPadOS 17 update.
Separately, you can also go through photos and delete older pictures and videos that take up space. Back these up to iCloud, Dropbox, and Google Photos, then remove them from your iPhone or iPad. Delete old messages and wipe browser caches to find extra storage space.
Back Up Your Data
Your next move should be to back up your data. The ideal method is to perform an iCloud backup, as it is the easiest and fastest way to restore an iPhone after an update.
- Connect to your Wi-Fi network, then go to “Settings -> [your name]” and tap “iCloud.
- Tap “iCloud Backup,” then “Back Up Now.”
- Stay connected to your Wi-Fi network until the iCloud backup finishes.
Beyond iCloud, you can also utilize Finder in iOS to back up to your Mac and use iTunes on Windows 10/11. See our guide for more tips, including how to incorporate Google Drive and Dropbox.
Update to iOS 17
If you were on either the developer or public beta release of iOS or iPadOS 17, moving to the public version is relatively easy.
For Apple Public Beta testers: if you’d rather trade early access to updates for extra stability, here’s how to make the switch:
- Go to “Settings -> General” and tap on “VPN & Device Management.”
- Tap the iOS Beta Software Profile, then “Remove Profile.”
- Restart your device, then go back to “Settings -> General Software Update” to see the public release pop-up for updating.
For Developer Beta users: making the transition is a bit more intricate than it is for public beta users. You’ll need to erase and restore your iPhone or iPad, then restore it from an iOS backup of iOS 16.X or older.
- Back up your device, and make sure you have a copy of an earlier iOS backup.
- Wipe your iPhone or iPad by going to “Settings -> General -> Reset -> Erase All Content and Settings.”
- Restore your device from your older iOS backup.
- Head back to “Settings -> General -> Software Update,” where you’ll find the public release.
In most cases, upgrading to iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 is a painless process that requires just a few simple taps. The first step of this process should always be to back up your device, ensuring all your data is safe and secure. Then, start exploring all the new features that iOS 17 brings to the table, such as StandBy mode and interactive widgets.
Good to know: now that your iPhone or iPad is updated to the latest version of iOS/iPadOS, it’s a good time to review and optimize your security settings. Take a look at this comprehensive guide on essential iOS security settings to ensure that your device is as secure as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if the iOS/iPadOS 17 software update stalls?
If the update stalls on the iPhone or iPad loading screen (black screen with white Apple logo), you can restart your phone and restart the update. Also, check Apple’s system status page to ensure you are on a reliable Wi-Fi before attempting the update.
How long will iOS/iPadOS 17 be supported by Apple?
iOS/iPadOS 17 is likely to be supported by Apple for several years. Apple releases major versions of iOS annually and has extended its update cycle in recent years. Additionally, starting with iOS 15, Apple began supporting two major versions of iOS for a short period, which suggests that iOS 17 could potentially receive updates even after the release of iOS 18 and possibly iOS 19. However, the exact duration of support for iOS/iPadOS 17 has not been officially confirmed by Apple.
Will iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 slow down my device?
Generally, newer iOS updates are designed to optimize device performance, but certain older models may experience some slowdowns due to the more demanding software features. It’s a good idea to read reviews and reports on how the update performs on your specific device model before proceeding with the update.
Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by David Morelo.
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