Apple nears end of iOS 17 testing with release of eighth developer beta
Tom Sykes
Posted On 29/08/2023 
Apple has today seeded the eighth iOS 17 developer beta for testing, allowing users to trial Apple’s next major software update for iPhone ahead of its planned public release in the fall.
Previewed at WWDC23 in June, iOS 17 features a wide range of improvements and new capabilities, including upgrades across the Phone, FaceTime and Messages apps, new AirDrop capabilities, StandBy, a new way to view glanceable information when iPhone is set down and charging, new interactive widgets, and more.
The release follows after Apple seeded its seventh iOS 17 developer beta last week, with the iPhone maker switching to weekly seeds as the public release of the software nears.
iOS 17 Developer Beta Log
- iOS 17 – Beta 1: Released on Monday, June 5
- iOS 17 – Beta 2: Released on Wednesday, June 21
- iOS 17 – Beta 3: Released on Wednesday, July 5
- iOS 17 – Beta 4: Released on Tuesday, July 25
- iOS 17 – Beta 5: Released on Tuesday, August 8
- iOS 17 – Beta 6: Released on Tuesday, August 15
- iOS 17 – Beta 7: Released on Tuesday, August 22
- iOS 17 – Beta 8: Released on Tuesday, August 29
The beta is compatible with the iPhone Xs and later, dropping support for the iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone X and iPhone XR.
Other new features with iOS 17 include Health app upgrades, offline maps, AirTag can be shared with up to five other people, allowing friends and family to keep track of an item in Find My, Apple Music introduces Collaborative Playlists, and more.
Apple’s public iOS 17 beta, which allows anyone to test the update ahead of its official release, will likely be updated later this week.
