A big update is coming iOS 16 October 24
release iOS 16 September brought some big changes to iPhones. customizable lock screens now supports widgets, new editing tools for Messages, and a new Fitness app with updates to many existing iPhone apps.
But iOS 16.1 is an important update as it offers more than just improvements and bug fixes. We’re getting the features that Apple promised with the iOS 16 preview over the summer but fell short of the initial release.
Among them new iCloud Shared Photo Library and Live Activities; we’re getting a new one too Clean Energy charging Feature revealed during iOS 16.1 beta.
iOS 16.1 launches alongside versions iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura. Here’s an overview of all the new features and upgrades coming to iPhones with iOS 16.1.
iCloud Shared Photo Library
iOS 16.1 brings a new way to share photos with family members and friends. iCloud Shared Photo Library will be a separate library where users can share photos and videos with up to five people. Anyone with access to the shared library can share, edit, caption, and delete photos. Additionally, the Camera app now has a button that lets you add photos to the iCloud Shared Photo Library as they’re taken.
iCloud Shared Photo Library was part of the iOS 16 public beta this summer, before Apple delayed it until later in the year, possibly to fine-tune the feature. We’ll soon see what changes Apple has made in its new photo-sharing approach.
Live Events for third-party apps
Here’s another feature that Apple demonstrated earlier in the year but kept out of the iOS 16 release (although its absence was planned all along to give app manufacturers time to work on adding support). Live Events are interactive notifications that stay updated on the lock screen. Think of sports scores, delivery status reports, and other activities you’ll be watching from your phone’s lock screen.
iOS 16.1 opens the feature to third-party apps, so expect lots of app updates on Monday with Live Events alerts.
Live Activities, a iPhone 14 Pro horse iPhone 14 Pro Max. On these phones, Live Activities will join other alerts and notifications in Dynamic Island, which replaces the iPhone’s notch.
Clean Energy Charge
Clean Energy Charging, included in Battery settings in iOS 16.1, is designed to reduce your iPhone’s carbon footprint by optimizing charging times for when the power grid uses cleaner energy sources. This feature will be available for US users only. Apple first promised this feature back in September..
Apple Fitness Plus
When iOS 16.1 arrives, Apple Fitness Plus will now be available for iPhones Even without the Apple Watch. This is in line with Apple’s previous move to add the Fitness app to iOS 16 regardless of whether you own one of the company’s watches.
During workouts, users without an Apple Watch can’t see real-time metrics like heart rate and calories burned. Instead, they see the estimated calories burned (based on information provided in the Fitness app).
Anyone running iOS 16.1 in any of the 21 countries where Apple’s fitness subscription service is available will have access to full Apple Fitness Plus, which includes more than 3,000 studio-style workouts and meditations.
Apple Card and Wallet changes
Apple Card users will be able to open a “high yield” savings account from Goldman Sachs with iOS 16.1. You can then manage this account from the Wallet app and receive Daily Cashback rewards automatically credited to your account with no fees, minimum deposit and minimum balance requirements.
As promised in the iOS 16 preview, Apple’s Wallet app will also allow people to securely share keys like cars, hotel rooms, and more with friends and family using messaging apps like Messages or even Whatsapp, but the feature requires the support of car manufacturers and hotels.
Reachability Support for Dynamic Island
While talking about Live Activities, we noted Dynamic Island on iPhone 14 Pro models. iOS 16.1 brings another improvement for this particular feature: accessibility support. Basically, iOS 16.1 will make it easy to access Dynamic Island with one hand. You can enable the feature from Settings.
