As expected, Apple confirmed in a press release today that iOS 16.1 will be released on Monday, October 24 alongside iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura.
iOS 16.1 includes at least eight new features for iPhone users, such as iCloud Shared Photo Library and support for Live Activities in third-party App Store apps, along with several bug fixes. Below, we’ve rounded up everything new in iOS 16.1 and shared full release notes for the update ahead of its release next week.
iCloud Shared Photo Library
iCloud Shared Photo Library makes it easier for you to share photos with your family members or friends in the Photos app. The feature will let you and up to five other people add, edit, or delete photos in a shared library accessible through iCloud.
Live activities for third-party apps
iOS 16.1 extends Live Activities to third-party apps in the App Store. This feature allows iPhone users to stay up to date with real-time events, such as a sports game or food delivery order, right on the lock screen or in the dynamic island.
Live Activities appears at the bottom of the Lock screen on iPhone 13 and earlier models, as well as iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. On iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, Live Activity appears in the Live Island when the device is unlocked, or on the Lock screen when the device is locked or in View Mode permanent.
Clean energy charge
iOS 16.1 includes a new Clean Energy Charging feature that Apple says “aims to reduce the iPhone’s carbon footprint by optimizing charge times when the grid uses cleaner energy sources.” The feature is only available in the United States.
Apple Fitness+ without Apple Watch
Apple Fitness+ is available for iPhone users without Apple Watch from iOS 16.1, iPadOS 16.1 and tvOS 16.1. Without Apple Watch, iPhone users won’t see real-time metrics like heart rate and calories burned during a workout.
Launched in December 2020, Apple Fitness+ offers a library of over 3,000 workout and meditation videos, with new content added weekly. The subscription-based service is available through the Fitness app on iPhone, iPad and Apple TV in 21 countries, with US pricing set at $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year.
Matter accessories in the Home app
iOS 16.1 includes support for Matter, an upcoming connectivity standard that will allow compatible smart home accessories to work together seamlessly across multiple platforms, including Apple’s HomeKit, Amazon’s Alexa, and Google Home.
Controlling Matter accessories with the Home app and Siri will require a HomePod, HomePod mini, Apple TV 4K, or Apple TV HD functioning as a home hub.
Apple Card Savings Account
Starting with iOS 16.1, Apple Card users will be able to open a new Goldman Sachs “High Yield” savings account and automatically deposit their Daily Cash rewards into it, with no fees, no minimum deposits, and no deposit requirements. minimum balance. . Users will be able to manage the savings account in the Wallet app.
Accessibility support for Dynamic Island
iOS 16.1 adds accessibility support for Dynamic Island on iPhone 14 Pro models, making it easier to access with one hand.
Reachability is an optional feature that lowers the top half of the screen so it’s within easy reach of your fingers. The feature can be enabled in the Settings app under Accessibility → Touch → Accessibility. To use the feature, simply swipe down on the bottom edge of the screen. To return to a normal view, tap the upper half of the screen.
Sharing keys in the Wallet app
iOS 16.1 lets you securely share keys stored in the Wallet app for cars, hotel rooms, and more. via messaging apps such as Messages and WhatsApp.
iOS 16.1 Release Notes
Apple’s full release notes for iOS 16.1:
This update introduces iCloud Shared Photo Library, making it easier to update your family photos. This release also adds support for third-party apps in Live Activities, support for Apple Fitness+ on iPhone even if you don’t have an Apple Watch, and includes other features and bug fixes for your iPhone.
iCloud Shared Photo Library
– Separate library to seamlessly share photos and videos with up to five other people
– Setup rules allow you to easily contribute past photos based on start date or people in photos when you set up or join a library
– Library filters to quickly switch between viewing the shared library, your personal library, or both libraries together
– Shared edits and permissions allow anyone to add, edit, favourite, caption and delete photos
– The in-camera sharing toggle lets you choose to send photos you take directly to the shared library or enable a setting to automatically share when other participants are detected nearby via BluetoothLive Activities
– Third-party app live activities are available in dynamic island and lock screen for iPhone 14 Pro modelsFitness+
– Apple Fitness+ is supported on iPhone even if you don’t have an Apple WatchWallet
– Key sharing allows you to securely share car, hotel room and other keys in Wallet using messaging apps like Messages and WhatsApp
– Savings Account allows Apple Card customers to increase their everyday cash by depositing it into a high-yield savings accountHouse
– Matter, the new smart home connectivity standard, is supported, allowing a wide variety of smart home accessories to work together across ecosystemsClean energy charge
– New setting that can try to reduce your carbon footprint by selectively charging when low carbon electricity is availableBooks
– Player controls are automatically hidden when you start readingThis update also includes bug fixes for your iPhone:
– Deleted conversations can appear in the list of conversations in Messages
– Dynamic Island content is not available when using accessibility
– CarPlay may not connect when using a VPN app
iOS 16.1 is expected to be released around 10 a.m. PT on Monday.
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