Should I Update to iOS 17 Right Now? Or Wait?
Now that the iOS 17 update is out and available for everyone with a compatible iPhone, you may be wondering if now is a good time to upgrade your iPhone to iOS 17.
If you’re asking yourself “should I update to iOS 17 right now? then you’ll find that’s a fantastic question and we will explore the two sides, giving the pros and cons of both updating now, and of waiting.
The case for updating to iOS 17 now
Updating your iPhone to iOS 17 can offer several immediate benefits. Of course you’ll be on the latest and greatest new iOS version, which is a benefit in and of itself, but here are some additional benefits to updating to iOS 17 right away:
- Gain access to all the new iOS 17 features, including interactive widgets, StandBy Mode, Contact Posters, FaceTime Video Messages, Live Voicemail, and much more
- Access to new features available to third party apps that are specific to iOS 17 (like third party apps that support StandBy Mode, and interactive widgets)
- Get the latest security updates and bug fixes that are included with iOS 17
- Get access to new features on other devices that also update to the latest system software, ranging from FaceTime on Apple TV (with tvOS 17), to pairing with Apple Watch (with watchOS 10)
- You’re keeping your iPhone on the cutting edge of running iOS with the latest version
In short, updating to iOS 17 right away will provide access to the latest features, compatibility with third party apps that support new features specific to iOS 17, and you’ll have access to features that are available on other devices that also use the latest system software versions.
The case for waiting to update to iOS 17
If you’re thinking about waiting to update to iOS 17 on your iPhone, you’re certainly not alone. In some cases, it can be wise to hold off on updating. And, the old adage of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” often applies with software updates in the modern era. Here are some reasons why you may want to delay updating to iOS 17:
- New system software versions sometimes reduce general device performance, leading to slower speeds, battery life issues, and other nuisances, particularly on older devices
- Battery life issues are commonly reported after new software updates, and while these typically resolve themselves automatically after a few days, some users may not want to deal with that quite yet
- There may be compatibility issues with iOS 17 and your critical apps, if those apps have not been updated yet
- There could be bugs or issues that have not yet been ironed out or resolved yet, despite the lengthy beta period – some users choose to wait until the X.1 release of a system software update for this particular reason
- You may be perfectly satisfied with your existing iOS and iPhone experience, and have no need or use-case for the latest features
- You may not be able to afford the downtime of updating your device, since updating iOS can sometimes take a while to download and complete
- You may not be able to afford the risk of updating your iPhone and something going wrong, even if this is a very slim risk it is still a major hassle if an update bricks your device
- You may not have sufficient free storage space to install the iOS 17 update
- You may not be prepared for updating to iOS 17 yet
In summary, some users wait to update to the latest major system software releases for a variety of reasons, and those reasons are completely valid and understandable. If you don’t want to update yet, then don’t! It’s really your choice, and you must do what is right for you.
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Do you update to the latest iOS version when it’s released right away, or do you wait a while? Let us know your approach to installing system software updates on iPhone (or iPad) in the comments!
I can’t update it but I definitely would if I could.
I will stay on iOS 16 for both my private and business iPhones as long as my company’s IT team hasn’t approved iOS 17 for upgrading. And then at least till iOS 17.1 is released. I prefer to leave bug finding to others, especially when it’s my phone.
Once bitten, twice shy… I learned to wait after upgrading my iPhone 13 Pro to iOS 16 in September 2022 went terribly wrong. Apple Pay stopped working and my Wallet disappeared, along with access to app settings. The phone wasn’t even a year old and Apple support was not able to resolve the problem, blaming it on a “possible” hardware issue. Funny thing is the “hardware” had worked perfectly before the upgrade.
Great article – I don’t think! Do you cut and paste this for every release of iOS?
Thanks for the kind words “Gnasher”, so glad this helped you. What a great comment, you are really adding to the discussion around here with a thoughtful and intellectual comment like this.
We have articles about using cut and paste on your iPhone if you need help with that capability, you can use our search feature in the top right corner of the page.
Cheers,
Paul
😉
I always figure better to wait at least a little while to see if any issues come up specifically with your device. I personally don’t find any of the new features a priority for doing the update. My biggest reasoning to wait is that going back is not that easy. Once you upgrade you are sort of stuck waiting for fixes if by chance you have issues.
i totally agree!!! i usually wait until they come out w. the fix for the glitches !