iOS 17 Beta 5: New Live Voicemail Prompt and NameDrop Animation

Similar to previous iOS beta releases, the fifth beta is open for developers and testers. It is also a direct update from the fourth beta that was shipped last month. However, it should be noted that this beta is different from the public beta version.

• Also read: How to install iOS Beta on your iPhone

Default Live Voicemail greeting will make it less confusing

One notable feature added to iOS 17 is the updated Live Voicemail. When enabled from the recipient's side, it automatically transcribes what the caller is saying in real-time on the receiver's iPhone screen before having it delivered as a voicemail.

What makes most users confused with the new Live Voicemail is the prompt that asks callers to leave their message after the tone so that the other end might pick up. The old note specifically mentioned “After the tone please say why you’re calling. The person you are trying to reach might pick up.”

In iOS 17 beta 5, Apple has changed the prompt that now displays it as “Your call has been forwarded to voicemail. The person you’re trying to reach is not available. At the tone, please record your message”. More importantly, this message will only be shown to the caller while the receiver will get to see the real-time transcription.

What are the other iOS 17 Beta 5 changes?

Another change spotted in the update is the new AirDrop and NameDrop animation and sound when you share files or contact info. Essentially, the two wireless transfer modes function similarly apart from the more pleasing effects. In the previous beta, NameDrop received a toggle for users to disable or enable the feature from the settings.

Now located in the iPhone storage section, there is a new section added that is dedicated to synced content. This option shows the amount of data synced across your multiple Apple devices. Furthermore, there is a trigger to run automated actions via location-based shortcuts like arrival and departure, marking a return in this version after being missing in the previous betas.

Notable bug fixes on iOS 17 Beta 5

Along with the tweaks, iOS 17 beta 5 will also introduce notable bug fixes that were associated with earlier builds. For instance, testers reported an issue when viewing the screen time analytics from the settings, where the update has seemingly fixed this. The same goes with the Pro Motion display when navigating on the home screen.

In terms of security, users using ad blockers when browsing noticed how these were not properly working on Safari in the previous iOS 17 beta. This has been evidently addressed in the latest beta.

The Cupertino firm has not confirmed when the next public beta release will commence. Given the availability of the beta 5, it is safe to say we may see a wider release to more testers in the coming days. Likewise, do you intend to try out the beta build on your iPhone or iPad?