As expected, Apple confirmed in a press release today that iOS 16.1 will be released on Monday, October 24th alongside iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura.
iOS 16.1 brings at least eight new features to iPhone users, such as iCloud Shared Photo Library and live activity support in third-party apps on the App Store, as well as some bug fixes. Below, we’ve reviewed everything new in iOS 16.1 and shared the full release notes for the update ahead of next week’s release.
iCloud Shared Photo Library
iCloud Shared Photo Library makes it easier to share photos with family or friends in the Photos app. This feature lets you and up to five others add, edit, or delete photos in a shared library accessible through iCloud.
Live events from third-party apps
iOS 16.1 extends Live Activity to third-party apps in the App Store. The feature allows iPhone users to keep up with real-time events, such as sports games or food delivery orders, directly from the lock screen or dynamic island.
Live activity is displayed at the bottom of the lock screen on iPhone 13 and earlier and iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. On iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, live activity is displayed in a dynamic island when the device is unlocked, or on the lock screen when the device is locked or in always-on display mode.
iOS 16.1 extends Live Activity to third-party apps in the App Store. The feature allows iPhone users to keep up with real-time events, such as sports games or food delivery orders, directly from the lock screen or dynamic island.
Live activity is displayed at the bottom of the lock screen on iPhone 13 and earlier and iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. On iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, live activity is displayed in a dynamic island when the device is unlocked, or on the lock screen when the device is locked or in always-on display mode.
Clean Energy Charging
iOS 16.1 includes a new clean energy charging feature that Apple says “aims to reduce iPhone’s carbon footprint by optimizing the time it takes to charge the grid using clean energy.” This feature is only available in the US.
Apple Fitness+ without Apple Watch
Starting with iOS 16.1, iPadOS 16.1, and tvOS 16.1, iPhone users without an Apple Watch can use Apple Fitness+. Without an Apple Watch, iPhone users won’t see real-time metrics like heart rate and calories burned during workouts.
Launched in December 2020, Apple Fitness+ features a library of over 3,000 workout and meditation videos, with new content added every week. The subscription-based service is available in 21 countries via the Fitness app on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, and is priced at $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year in the US.
Substance accessories in the home app
iOS 16.1 includes support for Matter, an upcoming connectivity standard that will enable compatible smart home accessories to work seamlessly across multiple platforms, including Apple’s HomeKit, Amazon’s Alexa, and Google’s Home. Using the Home app and Siri to control Matter accessories will require the HomePod, HomePod mini, Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD to function as the home hub.
Apple Card Savings Account
Beginning with iOS 16.1, Apple Card users will be able to open a new “high-yield” savings account from Goldman Sachs and automatically deposit their daily cash back rewards into it, with no fees, no minimum deposit, and no minimum balance requirements. Users will Ability to manage savings accounts in the Wallet app.
Reachability Support for Dynamic Island
iOS 16.1 adds accessibility support for Dynamic Island on iPhone 14 Pro models, making one-handed access easier.
Reachability is an optional feature that lowers the top half of the screen so your fingers can easily reach it. The feature can be enabled in the Settings app under Accessibility → Touch → Reachability. To use this feature, just swipe down on the bottom edge of the screen. To return to regular view, tap the top half of the screen.
Key Sharing in Wallet App
iOS 16.1 allows you to securely share keys stored in the Wallet app for cars, hotel rooms, and more via messaging apps such as Messages and WhatsApp.
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Hazel Yu 
