Your iPhone gets a number of cool features with iOS 17, but it also becomes much more secure. These are the most important security features in iOS 17!
New security features in iOS 17
You can now install iOS 17 on all iPhones that support the new update. It is not a major update, Apple has mainly improved existing functions. In iOS 17, AirDrop has been expanded with NameDrop and apps such as Phone, FaceTime and Messages have also received minor adjustments. In addition, Apple has added new features to iOS 17, making your iPhone much more secure.
Also read: Standby mode in iOS 17: this is how the new feature works on your iPhone
Safari in particular has been added useful security features in iOS 17, making internet browsing truly safe. The new Check-in mode in Messages is also an important improvement in terms of security. These are important settings, but you still have to set them manually on your iPhone. We will tell you which features make iOS 17 much more secure and how to enable them!
1. Private mode is now truly private
Would you rather not have anyone open the tabs in your private mode? Then iOS 17 offers a useful and more secure feature, because it is now possible to secure the incognito tabs with Face ID or Touch ID. This way you can be sure that these pages are not opened accidentally, because the tabs must be unlocked first. Once your iPhone has recognized your face or fingerprint, you can open the tabs.
To lock your tabs with Face ID or Touch ID, you need to adjust the Safari settings on your iPhone. This way you can be sure that all incognito windows are safely protected in iOS 17. You can set this as follows:
- Go to your iPhone’s settings;
- Tap ‘Safari’;
- Scroll down and enable ‘Require Face ID to unlock private mode’.
2. Better protection against tracking in iOS 17
Apple has been trying to prevent advertisers from tracking your behavior in apps and browsers for some time. This previously led to criticism from advertisers, because they stated that Apple was exceeding European privacy guidelines. Yet Apple goes one step further with iOS 17, because you can then completely disable tracking in Safari, Mail and Messages. With this, Apple makes iOS 17 slightly more secure.
You also have to set this function manually. To do this, go to your iPhone’s settings again and tap ‘Safari > Advanced > Advanced tracking and fingerprinting protection’. Here you can choose whether you want to disable tracking for private mode or for your entire surfing behavior. By blocking tracking you can be sure that your internet traffic is even more secure in iOS 17!
3. Receiving verification codes expanded in iOS 17
Perhaps one of the best iPhone features ever: auto-filling verification codes. These codes are an extra layer of security, making your accounts much more secure. Your iPhone already recognized a verification code in Messages and automatically entered the number combination on the corresponding website or page in Safari. Now this is even more secure in iOS 17, because the verification codes are automatically deleted after receiving them.
Once you have entered the code, the message with the verification codes will be deleted automatically. This way you no longer have to look at all the useless messages with the (used) codes. Also useful: your iPhone not only recognizes verification codes received via Messages, but also codes received via email. Emails with verification codes are also automatically deleted. iOS 17 makes it even safer and easier to enter the codes in Safari.
4. Photo Library Consent
Have you installed iOS 17 yet? Then you may have already noticed this new feature, because many apps have to ask permission again to access your Photo Library. For all apps that you have previously given access to your entire camera roll for six months or more, you will now be prompted again to protect your Photo Library. This should keep your photos more secure in iOS 17.
This feature is automatically enabled in iOS 17, so you don’t need to do anything. The message will automatically appear for every app that has had access to your Photo Library for a certain period of time. You can then choose full access again, or limit your camera roll to a limited number of photos. This is often a lot safer, as apps in iOS 17 only have a view of the images you have selected.
5. Return home safely with Check-in
Want to send a message to your friends when you’ve arrived home safely? With iOS 17, this is no longer necessary, because you can use the new Check-in function to automatically send a message when you have arrived at your destination. Very useful, because your friends or family members immediately know that you have arrived safely at a location.
However, the function can do more, because Check-in is also useful if you are not home on time. Your iPhone keeps track of where you are and monitors the route you take. Does that take (way) too long? Your location, route and battery status are then shared with the contacts. Cycling home in the evening is much safer with iOS 17. Read here how to activate Check-in on your iPhone.
Want to know more about iOS 17?
With iOS 17, Apple is trying to make your digital environment even more secure. In addition to these functions, your iPhone will have many more features. You can finally store your alarm clock with the new Standby mode of your iPhone and it is possible to create multiple profiles in Safari. Your AirPods also get new settings and Maps is much more extensive in iOS 17.
Also read: Hidden features in iOS 17: Apple has not said anything about this
Do you want to know more about iOS 17? Then check here whether all the new features work on your iPhone, because unfortunately some features are not available on older models. Read all about this year’s major iOS update here so you don’t miss a single feature!
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