iOS 17 Public Release

Posted: September 18, 2023

iOS Release

Overview

iOS 17 was released on September 18, 2023, bringing significant changes that impact both users and developers. This release includes new features like StandBy mode, interactive widgets, Contact Posters, and significant improvements to autocorrect functionality.

Why This Matters for iOS Developers

iOS 17 introduces several APIs and features that require developer attention to fully leverage the platform’s capabilities and ensure apps remain compatible and competitive.

Critical Changes

Interactive Widgets: Users now expect widgets to be interactive, not just informational. Apps without interactive widgets may be perceived as outdated.
Privacy Changes: Additional privacy requirements and permissions that may impact data collection and user tracking capabilities.
API Deprecations: Several older APIs have been deprecated and will require migration to newer alternatives.
Performance Expectations: iOS 17 sets new benchmarks for app performance, particularly around launch times and battery usage.

Key Features to Implement

Interactive Widgets

Widgets in iOS 17 support direct interaction without opening the app, including:

Checkboxes
Buttons
Toggles
Text fields (limited)

struct MyInteractiveWidget: Widget {
    var body: some WidgetConfiguration {
        StaticConfiguration(
            kind: "MyWidget",
            provider: MyTimelineProvider()
        ) { entry in
            MyWidgetView(entry: entry)
        }
        .configurationDisplayName("My Interactive Widget")
        .description("Demonstrates interactive elements")
        .supportedFamilies([.systemSmall, .systemMedium])
    }
}

StandBy Mode Support

When iPhones are charging in landscape orientation, StandBy mode provides a full-screen experience. Considerations:

Ensure your widgets look good at larger sizes
Test notifications in StandBy context
Consider StandBy-specific features for relevant apps (alarms, timers, etc.)

Contact Posters

Apps that deal with contacts can leverage Contact Posters API:

// Example of setting a contact poster
let poster = CNContactPoster()
poster.imageData = imageData
poster.imageFilter = .vibrant
contact.setValue(poster, forKey: "poster")

Testing Recommendations

Test all app features thoroughly on iOS 17 devices
Pay special attention to:
- Widget functionality
- Background processing
- Notification delivery
- System integration points

Submission Requirements

When submitting iOS 17-compatible apps to the App Store:

Update your app’s privacy declarations
Ensure compliance with new App Review guidelines
Test on multiple device types, especially those with dynamic island