Apple is set to release iOS 16.1, the next iPhone software update, which will include a number of new features as well as a few bug fixes. This includes a new way to charge your iPhone, using Apple Fitness+ without an Apple Watch, an update to the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro, and more.
Confirmed(opens in new tab) for October 24, iOS 16.1 will be released alongside other software updates such as iPadOS 16.1 and macOS Ventura. We’re sure to learn more about these updates at Apple’s new October event, which will feature executives Craig Federighi and Greg Joswiak.
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How to update to iOS 16.1
It isn’t certain what time iOS 16.1 will be available on Monday, October 24, but it’s believed to be released at 1 p.m. EST / 6 p.m. BST / 10 a.m. PT.
New iOS 16.1 Features
While iOS 16.1 comes with a few bug fixes, this update packs in a few more interesting features especially for those interested in Apple Fitness+, reducing their carbon footprint, and Live Activities.
iOS 16.1 introduces a new way to share photos with family and friends. The iCloud Shared Photo Library will be a separate library where users will be able to share photos and videos with up to five additional people. Anyone with access to the shared library has the ability to share, edit, caption, and delete photos. Furthermore, the Camera app now includes a toggle that allows you to add photos to the iCloud Shared Photo Library as they are taken.
iCloud Shared Photo Library was briefly included in the iOS 16 public beta this summer before Apple pulled it, presumably to fine-tune it. We’ll soon find out what changes Apple has made to its new approach to photo sharing.
Live Activities for Third Party Apps
Here’s another feature that Apple demonstrated earlier this year but did not include in the iOS 16 release (though its absence was planned all along to give app makers time to work on adding support). Live Activities are interactive notifications that appear on the lock screen and keep you up to date. Consider sports scores, delivery status reports, and other activities you might check from your phone’s lock screen.
Because iOS 16.1 makes the feature available to third-party apps, expect a slew of app updates with Live Activities alerts on Monday.
If you have an iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max, Live Activities aren’t limited to the lock screen. Live Activities will join other alerts and notifications in the Dynamic Island that replaced the iPhone’s notch on those phones.
Clean Energy Charging
Clean Energy Charging, which is included with the Battery settings in iOS 16.1, is intended to reduce your iPhone’s carbon footprint by optimising charging times for when the energy grid is using cleaner energy sources. This feature will only be available to users in the United States. The feature was first promised by Apple in September.
Apple Fitness Plus
Apple Fitness Plus will be available to iPhones without an Apple Watch once iOS 16.1 is released. This is consistent with Apple’s previous decision to include the Fitness app in iOS 16 regardless of whether you owned one of the company’s watches or not.
Users who do not have the Apple Watch will be unable to see real-time metrics such as heart rate and calories burned during workouts. They will instead see estimated calories burned (based on information provided in the Fitness app).
Anyone running iOS 16.1 in one of the 21 countries where Apple’s fitness subscription service is available will have access to the entire Apple Fitness Plus library, which includes over 3,000 studio-style workouts and meditations.
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