Apple Testing iOS 17.1.2 for the iPhone | When Will It Be Released?

Apple is internally testing an iOS 17.1.2 update for the iPhone according to a new report by MacRumors, which has seen evidence of devices running the new update in the analytical logs for its website.

iOS 17.1.2 will almost certainly be a minor update focused on providing fixes for bugs or security issues. At this point, we don’t know for sure exactly what fixes it might include. Several users have reported experiencing Wi-Fi issues following the iOS 17.1.1 update that was released earlier this month, and there’s also a problem with wireless charging in GM vehicles that’s been ongoing since iOS 17.1. The update could also include fixes for minor HomeKit and push notification bugs.

No matter what fixes the iOS 17.1.2 update includes, we likely won’t see a public release of the update this week, as Apple traditionally avoids releasing any new or updated software during the week of US Thanksgiving. Apple avoids doing so because Apple corporate employees receive the entire week off in celebration of the holiday. The earliest we’ll likely see a release is next week.

The update likely includes minor updates that can’t wait until the public release of iOS 17.2, which is currently being tested by developers and public beta testers. iOS 17.2 is expected to see a public release sometime in December.

The current iOS 17.2 betas include several new features and updates that we’re likely to see in the public release of the update.

This includes the long-promised Journal app, which didn’t make the cut for iOS 17 and 17.1. The Journal app allows iPhone and iPad users to record their thoughts and daily activities, including journalling suggestions to help inspire things to write about. In addition to text, journal entries can include location tags, images, voice recordings, and more.

The Journal app also includes encryption and password protection features designed to safeguard your journal entries from prying eyes. The Lock Journal feature allows users to secure their entries with their device’s passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID.

Apple Music also adds collaborative playlists, a feature promised when iOS 17 was announced that allows users to create playlists that others can contribute to. A new Favorites playlist includes all of the music a user has tagged as a favorite.

The Action Button on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max can be set to translate live conversations into multiple languages on the fly. That feature should be a welcome addition for international travelers or anyone learning a new language.

New Weather and Clock widgets also make an appearance in the update, bringing new Details, Daily Forecast, and Sunrise/Sunset widgets for the Weather. The Details widget shows the chance of precipitation, wind speed, air quality, UV index, and more. The Daily Forecast widget shows the weather forecast for the next few days in a small widget format. Sunrise/Sunset shows (logically enough) the times for sunrise and sunset.

iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max users will be able to record spatial video, which can be viewed via the Photos app on Apple’s upcoming Vision Pro headset, which is expected to hit store shelves in early 2024.

The update also includes more customization options for Memoji, adding a “Body” section that allows users to customize the Memoji’s shoulders, arms, waist, and bust.