Apple has recently released iOS 17.1, which comes with a range of new features for iPhones running the iOS 17 operating system. While Apple has highlighted some of the major additions in its release notes, there are also several hidden features that were not mentioned. We’ll be rounding up all of the feature additions and changes we found in iOS 17.1.
One of the new features in iOS 17.1 is the ability to complete AirDrop transfers over a cellular connection or Wi-Fi if you walk out of the range of the person you’re sharing with. This means that you will not have to stay close to someone if you are transferring a large number of files. Plus, the Music app now allows you to favourite songs, albums, playlists, and artists. Favorited music is added to the Library and improves recommendations.
Another new feature in iOS 17.1 is the ability to see your UK bank account balances, payments, purchases, and deposits in the Wallet app. And, U.S. Discover card users who add their credit cards to Apple Wallet can now see their total card balance and transaction history right on their iPhone. These are just a few of the many new features that iOS 17.1 has to offer.
Key Features of iOS 17.1
We have delved into the latest iOS 17.1 update and found several exciting new features that were mentioned in the official release notes. Here are some of the key features that caught our attention:
Favourites in Apple Music
With the new iOS 17.1 update, you can now favourite songs, albums, playlists, and artists in the Apple Music app. Favorited music is added to your Library and improves recommendations. This replaces the prior “Love” system and can be done from the Lock Screen’s Now Playing widget. The Music app now suggests songs to add to playlists so you never run out of content.
AirDrop Over the Internet
AirDrop transfers can now be completed over a cellular connection or Wi-Fi if you walk out of the range of the person you’re sharing with. That means you will not have to stay close to someone if you are transferring a large number of files. There is a new “Out of Range” toggle in the AirDrop section of the Settings menu that you can toggle to allow or disallow transfers over cellular.
Apple Music Playlists
iOS 17.1 provides colour-matched playlist artwork options that can be selected as a new customisation option for your playlists. There are eight artwork styles that feature geometric shapes and gradients, with the colours featured pulled from the album artwork of the first song in the playlist.
These new features add to the already impressive iOS 17 update. We can’t wait to see what Apple has in store for us in the future.
Bug Fixes and Improvements
As well as these new features, iOS 17.1 also includes several bug fixes and improvements. Here are some of the notable ones:
Display Image Persistence Fix
iOS 17.1 fixes an issue that has been noticed on multiple iPhone models, most recently on the iPhone 15, which may cause display image persistence. This problem has been causing severe “screen burn-in” for some iPhone 15 Pro owners. However, it has been found to be a software-based image retention issue, and the update addresses it.
Messages Bug Fix
iOS 17.1 resolves a problem related to the search feature within the Messages app in iOS 17. Those using iPhone 15 models experienced an issue in searching for older messages upon data migration from an earlier iPhone. The Messages search function was previously limited to recent messages; however, the update resolves this issue.
These are not the only bug fixes and improvements in iOS 17.1. The update also resolves an issue where the names of incoming callers may not appear when you are on another call, addresses an issue where custom and purchased ringtones may not appear as options for your text tone, and fixes an issue that may cause the keyboard to be less responsive.
iOS 17.1 brings several bug fixes and improvements that enhance the user experience and improve the performance of iPhones running the iOS 17 operating system.
Compatibility and Support
Device Compatibility
With the release of iOS 17, Apple has expanded its device compatibility list to include a wide range of iPhone models. Users with iPhone models ranging from iPhone XR to iPhone 15 Pro Max will be able to update their devices to iOS 17.1. This means that users with older iPhone models will still be able to enjoy the latest features and security updates.
App Support
iOS 17.1 brings with it improved app support, ensuring that users can continue to use their favourite apps without any issues. Apple has worked closely with app developers to ensure that their apps are fully compatible with the latest iOS update. This means that users can continue to use their favourite apps with confidence, knowing that they will work seamlessly on their devices.
Plus, iOS 17 also introduces new features that app developers can take advantage of. This includes new APIs that enable developers to create more immersive and engaging experiences for users. With these new tools, developers can create apps that take full advantage of the latest hardware and software capabilities of iOS devices.
iOS 17.1 offers improved compatibility and support for both devices and apps. Users can update their devices with confidence, knowing that they will be able to enjoy the latest features and security updates, while app developers can take advantage of new tools to create even more engaging experiences for their users.
Our Verdict
After thoroughly testing iOS 17.1, we can confidently say that it is a significant improvement over the previous version. The new features and improvements have made the user experience smoother and more efficient.
One of the standout features of iOS 17.1 is the improved AirDrop functionality. AirDrop over a cellular or wifi connection makes this feature much more seamless for users, and means they can rest assured that larger files will continue to be sent over the internet as they move their iPhone around.
Also welcome are the range of smaller bug fixes found in iOS 17.1, as mentioned previously. Apple continues to make users’ quality of life better with this update, and has addressed some of the larger issues found in the initial release of iOS 17.
iOS 17.1 is a solid update that brings a lot of new and useful features. We highly recommend that iOS users upgrade to this version as soon as possible to take advantage of these improvements.
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