Every iOS update adds new privacy and security features, and iOS 17 is no exception. iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 include better protections against explicit content, revamped photo permissions for apps, improved Calendar permissions, Lockdown Mode, and more, with details on all of the new privacy and security options outlined below.
Family Passwords
Apple’s built-in password manager grows more competent with every major iOS release. In iOS 17, it adds the option to easily share passwords with family members or other trusted people.
To get started:
- Go to Settings > Passwords, and tap Get Started under Share Passwords with Family.
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Read the explanatory text and tap Continue.
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On the New Shared Group screen, change the group name if you’d like.
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By default, everyone in your Family SharingFamily Sharing group (if any) is included in the group. To remove someone, tap their name and then Remove From Group. You can also tap Add People to add other contacts to your password sharing group.
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Tap Create.
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On the Family Passwords screen, you can select multiple passwords or passkeys to share with the group. Tap Move to transfer the selected passwords or Not Now to skip this part.
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Tap Notify via Messages to notify the folks you’re sharing passwords with or Not Now to skip this part.
For those with whom you’ve shared passwords, those passwords should appear whenever they use autofill, like in Safari or in other apps.
Using passwords shouldn’t change, regardless of which group they’re in. Here are some notes on managing shared passwords:
- Create More Groups: You can make more password groups by going to Settings > Passwords, tapping the plus button.
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Add or Remove People from Groups: To add or remove people from a group, go to Settings > Passwords > Password Group > Manage. To remove someone, tap their name and Remove From Group.
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Transfer Passwords Between Groups: To move a password to a different group, go to Settings > Passwords > Password Group > Password, tap the setting for Group, and choose another group.
Communications Safety
iOS 15.2 introduced Communications Safety, which attempts to discourage minors from sending or receiving nude photos in Messages. Apple has extended this feature in iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 to include videos as well as photos. It now also works with AirDrop, the system photo picker, FaceTime, Contact Posters, and third-party apps.
To enable Communications Safety for a child in your Family Sharing group, go to Settings > Screen Time > Child’s Name > Communications Safety and enable Check for Sensitive Photos.
Sensitive Content Warning
In addition to enable sensitive content warnings for children, you can now also set them for yourself for AirDrop, Contacts, Messages, and Video Messages. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Sensitive Content Warning and enable Sensitive Content Warning.
Improved Calendar Permissions
Calendar permissions are improved, and you can now allow an app to add events to your calendar but not read existing events. To view an app’s calendar permissions, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > App Name . There, you can enable Add Events Only as an option.
Improved Lockdown Mode
iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 introduced Lockdown Mode, which protects you from the most sophisticated cyberattacks but also severely limits what you can do with your devices. Apple has beefed it up in iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 to be even more secureeven more secure . It now:
- Prevents connections to 2G cellular networksPrevents connections to 2G cellular networks
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Doesn’t auto-connect to insecure wireless networks
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Hardens media handling to prevent exploits from malicious media files
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Locks down media sharing
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Further restricts app sandboxing
You can enable it in Settings > Privacy & Security > Lockdown Mode.
However, you should not enable this unless you are in a sensitive role and under threat of state-level actors. Or you’re attending DEF CONDEF CON .
Guide Feedback
Have questions about the new security and privacy features in iOS 17, know of a feature we left out, or want to offer feedback on this guide? Drop a comment and let us know.
