The iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 updates introduce several enhanced privacy and security features designed to keep your devices more secure than ever. Apple has tightened access to sensitive data like photos and calendar events while also reducing the ability of websites to track your activity online.
Enhanced Private Browsing in Safari
Safari’s Private Browsing mode now offers an extra layer of protection by automatically locking private tabs when they are not in use. To reopen them, users must authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode. This prevents others from accessing your private browsing sessions if they use your device.
Improved Tracking Protection
When you open links in a Private Browsing window, Safari automatically removes tracking parameters embedded in URLs. In addition, unknown trackers are blocked by default, helping prevent websites and advertisers from monitoring your activity across different sites.
Tracking parameters can also be removed while browsing in regular Safari windows by enabling Apple’s expanded tracking protection feature. Once activated, Safari strips unnecessary tracking information from URLs across all browsing sessions, not just Private Browsing.
To enable URL tracking removal for all browsing activity:
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Open the Settings app.
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Scroll down and tap Safari.
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Select Advanced.
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Tap Advanced Tracking and Fingerprinting Protection.
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Choose All Browsing.
After this setting is enabled, Safari automatically removes additional tracking data attached to links, helping improve privacy across every browsing session.
Shared Passwords
iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma also introduce a secure way to share passwords and passkeys with trusted contacts. The new Shared Passwords feature allows families or groups to safely share login credentials for streaming services, household utilities, subscriptions, bills, and other shared accounts. Passwords remain securely stored in Apple’s password management system while staying accessible to approved members of the group.
Everyone included in a shared password group can view, add, edit, and manage shared credentials. The feature can be set up from the Passwords section in the Settings app by selecting “Get Started” under the Family Passwords option.
Passcode Recovery Improvements
Apple has also introduced a new safeguard for users who accidentally forget a newly created passcode. After changing your iPhone’s passcode, you now have a 72-hour recovery window during which your previous passcode can still be used to regain access to the device. This added grace period helps prevent users from being permanently locked out after an accidental passcode change.
Apple now allows users to reuse their previous passcode for up to 72 hours after creating a new one, making it easier to recover access if the new passcode is forgotten shortly after being set.
If an incorrect passcode is entered during this recovery period, a “Forgot Passcode?” option appears at the bottom of the screen. Selecting “Try Passcode Reset” lets users authenticate with their old passcode and create a new one without being locked out of the device.
For added security, Apple also includes an “Expire Previous Passcode Now” option, which immediately disables the old passcode in case someone else may know it.
More Private Photo Library Access
iOS 17 also improves how apps access photos and videos. The updated Photos picker allows users to share only selected images with apps while keeping the rest of the Photo Library private.
Apps requesting full photo library access must now provide clearer permission prompts, and users are shown more detailed information about what is being shared, including the number of photos and videos involved as well as metadata such as location details and captions.
iOS 17 gives users greater control over how apps access their photo libraries by introducing more flexible permission settings and clearer privacy options.
Users can choose from several levels of photo access for each app:
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Limited Access – Apps can view only the photos and videos you specifically select. These selections can be reviewed or updated at any time through the app itself or by navigating to Settings > Privacy & Security > Photos.
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Full Access – Apps can access your entire Photo Library, and iOS clearly shows how many photos and videos are being shared.
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None – The app receives no access to your Photo Library.
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Add Photos Only – Apps can save images or videos to your library without being able to view existing content. Availability of this option depends on the app.
The Photos section under Settings > Privacy & Security now provides a centralized place to review and manage photo permissions for all installed apps. Users can easily see which apps have access to their images and adjust permissions whenever needed. Apple also allows users to remove sensitive metadata such as location information and captions, as well as modify photo formats before sharing.
When installing a new app that requests access to the Photo Library, iOS 17 now presents clearer choices between limited and full access. Previously, many apps only requested unrestricted access to the entire library. These updates give users much more control over what apps can see and access.
In addition, iPhones will periodically remind users about apps that have full Photo Library access, encouraging them to review permissions and switch to limited access if preferred.
Improved Calendar Privacy
Apple has also enhanced Calendar privacy in iOS 17. Apps can now use an “Add Events Only” permission, allowing them to create calendar events without gaining the ability to view existing events or access the user’s full calendar data.
Calendar permissions in iOS 17 can be managed by navigating to Settings > Privacy & Security > Calendars. From there, users can control how apps interact with their calendars by choosing from three permission levels:
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Full Access – Apps can view and manage calendar events and related information.
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Add Events Only – Apps can create new events without accessing existing calendar data.
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None – Completely revokes calendar access.
This section of the Settings app also provides additional transparency by displaying how many calendars are connected to the device and how many accounts are signed in.
According to Apple, apps with full calendar access may be able to view sensitive information associated with events, including locations, invitees, attachments, and notes. These expanded controls help users better understand and manage the data they share with apps.
Passkeys for Apple ID
iOS 17 also strengthens account security by automatically assigning a passkey to Apple IDs. Passkeys are a more secure alternative to traditional passwords and allow users to sign in using Face ID or Touch ID instead of manually entering a password.
This feature is supported across Apple services and websites, including iCloud.com and Apple ID account pages, making authentication both safer and more convenient.
Passkeys work by using a secure cryptographic key pair: one public key that is stored with the website or app, and one private key that remains securely on the user’s device. Because the private key never leaves the device, passkeys cannot be intercepted, stolen, or exposed in data breaches like traditional passwords.
With iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma, signing in to Apple websites now relies on biometric authentication such as Face ID or Touch ID instead of passwords. Apple’s adoption of passkeys is part of a broader industry shift toward password-free authentication, and more websites and apps are expected to support the technology over time.
Home Activity History
The Home app in iOS 17 also introduces a new Activity History feature that provides a detailed record of home-related events for up to 30 days. Users can review activity involving door locks, garage doors, contact sensors, and alarm systems, including information about who accessed them and when the activity occurred.
The feature can be viewed in the Home app by tapping the Security section at the top of the interface and selecting Activity History.
Learn More
Additional details about all the new features and improvements included in iOS 17 are available in Apple’s complete iOS 17 feature roundup.