iPad users are set to get more personalization and versatility with the iPadOS 17, which has significant updates on its Lock Screen, Messages, FaceTime, Safari, and more. There will also be a new Health app coming.

The iPadOS 17 is available as a developer beta for now, and will be available as a free software update later in the year. For now, here’s a preview of what to expect.

Personalized Lock Screen experience

Users can now customize the Lock Screen with their favorite images from their personal library, whether just a single photo or a set shuffled throughout the day.

They can also choose a wallpaper from the Lock Screen gallery, customize the look of the date and time with more font styles, or create their own design with emojis and different colors.

Live Activities

Live Activities will come to iPad OS, allowing users to monitor important notifications right from the Lock Screen, such as live sports scores, travel plans, or a food delivery order.

More powerful widgets

In iPadOS 17, widgets will become more interactive; for instance, users can turn on the lights, play a song, or mark a reminder as complete right from a widget.

These interactive widgets are now available on the Lock and Home screens, for easier execution of tasks. On the Lock Screen, widgets also blend seamlessly with the wallpaper.

Working with PDFs

Entering information in PDFs has been made easier too. The iPadOS 17 users machine learning to identify fields in a PDF file so users can add details or fill out forms.

Notes app users can now also organize, read, annotate, and collaborate on PDF files, as they appear in full width on the device.

Enhanced communication, interaction for Messages

Messages, meanwhile, offers users to create Live Stickers from their own photos, and add effects to them.

The app also has new features, like an expandable menu on a tap for easy access to most frequent iMessage apps.

The search tool has also been improved with filters (people, keywords, content types) to easier bring up a specific conversation.

Audio messages are transcribed automatically for a version one can read on the fly.

More ways to FaceTime

In FaceTime, users can now leave an audio or video message when someone does not pick up the call.

The video-calling app now also allows Reactions, like hearts, balloons, fireworks, rain, and more, which can be activated through simple gestures or third-party video-calling apps.

More productive on Safari

Safari has been improved for users to be more productive on the browser too. Profiles separates users’ browsing, with each profile having its own history, cookies, Tab Groups, and more.

Private Browsing now allows users to lock the window they’re viewing with Face ID or Touch ID.

New Health app

The Health app also comes to iPad, giving users new ways to see their detailed health data, including Trends, Highlights, and interactive charts.

Health and fitness developers can now use HealthKit on iPad.

Offline Maps

Users can now download maps and use them offline. This way, users can select an area, search and explore information, and get routes, all while offline.

Freeform

Lastly, Freeform offers new drawing tools, like hover, tilt, snap to shape, and the ability to add connection lines and new shapes to any object.