These iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 features won't be available at launch

These iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 features won’t be available at launch

The first iOS 17 public build will miss out on these features.
Image: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Not all new iOS 17 features will be available on day one. It’s the same case with iPadOS 17. Instead, Apple will release certain features a few weeks after pushing out the initial builds this fall around the time of the iPhone 15’s release.

Below is a look at all such iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 features that won’t be available at launch.

These iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 features won’t arrive on day one

While iOS 17 lacks a major headlining feature, it will bring several useful improvements. The new OS, currently in beta, will run on devices as old as 2018’s iPhone Xs.

When iOS 17 launches, these features will be AWOL.

1. AirDrop file transfers over the internet

Apple plans to significantly improve its wireless data-transfer service AirDrop with iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. This includes allowing an AirDrop transfer to continue even if you walk away from the source device. As long as both parties are signed into iCloud, the transfer will continue over the internet. However, this AirDrop enhancement won’t be available in the initial iOS 17 release. Instead, it will arrive later this year as Apple notes in the footnotes of its iOS 17 preview page.

On the bright side, NameDrop, which makes sharing contact info a breeze, will be a part of the first iOS 17 build.

2. Apple’s new Journal app

Journal can help you create personalized entries, with content from multiple apps, to help you preserve life’s memories.
Screenshots: Apple

iOS 17 will mark the Journal app‘s debut. It will use on-device machine learning to help users chronicle important moments of their lives. The app will create personalized suggestions and prompts, encouraging people to write out their thoughts based on recent photos, workouts and more.

All Journal entries will sync to iCloud, enabling continuous backups and easy access on other Apple devices.

Sadly, if you were excited about journaling your life with Apple’s new app, you’ll have to wait until a later release of iOS 17 to try out the feature.

3. Collaborative playlists in Apple Music

Apple Music will gain some interesting collaborative features with iOS 17. You’ll be able to invite friends to join your playlist. After this, they can then add or remove songs, or even reorder the list. All members in the playlist can even use emoji to react to the Now Playing songs.

However, you’ll have to wait for iOS 17.1 or iOS 17.2 to try out collaborative playlists in Apple Music.

Since collaborative playlists are also coming to Apple Music on macOS Sonoma, it is likely the feature will release around the time OS’ public build drops.

Try out iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 beta today — if you dare

As mentioned, Apple won’t release iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 until September. However, you can install the iOS 17 developer beta build on your iPhone or iPad right away if you want to check out all the new features. Just remember: Installing betas can result in unexpected glitches and even data loss. Run them at your own risk.