iOS 16.1: new and improved features on your iPhone

Apple’s iOS 16.1 update was released on Monday, about a month after the release of iOS 16. The latest update changes some features and interface options and adds other features expected with iOS 16, and brings iPadOS 16 to compatible iPads. If you haven’t updated yet, we can show you how to download ios 16.1.

Here’s what’s new in iOS 16.1 and what each feature does.

iCloud Shared Photo Library

Sharing photos with your friends after a night out can be a headache. But with iCloud Shared Photo Library, you can easily share photos and videos with up to five other people.

Anyone with access to the shared photo library can add, edit, and delete content in the photo library. You can upload photos directly from your iPhone’s camera to the Library, and you can add photos to the Library when you’re physically with other people who have access to the Library.

However, you cannot participate in two shared libraries at once, and if you move photos from your personal library to the shared library, those photos are not duplicated and can only be found in the shared library.

Live activities in dynamic island and lock screen

The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Maxit is dynamic island and lock screen get a boost with Live Activities. With Live Activities, your Dynamic Island and lock screen show notifications from third-party apps for things like sports games and flights.

Apple Fitness Plus without Apple Watch

With iOS 16.1, you no longer need a apple watch to access Apple Fitness Plus. With an iPhone 8 or newer, you can track your progress and fitness goals right from your phone.

Battery display updates

iPhones from the XR up to the latest models now have the option to display the battery percentage in the battery gauge icon. The font used for the battery icon has also slightly increased in size, making it easier to read.

Wallpaper and lock screen updates

Apple has made it a little easier to customize your wallpaper in iOS 16.1. From Settings > Wallpaper menu, the option to add a new wallpaper is now more visually distinct, and you have the option to browse through existing wallpapers. Also, when changing your wallpaper from the lock screen, you will now have the option to customize your lock screen or home screen (instead of just the lock screen) .

Updated screenshot editing tools interface

When you edit a screenshot using the edit menu, delete, save, and copy options are now displayed at the top of your screen in a smaller, less intrusive menu. Previously, these options were at the bottom of your iPhone screen.

Wallet app upgrades

You can securely share information about car, hotel room and other Wallet apps with Messages and WhatsApp. Apple Card customers can also boost their Daily Cash by placing their savings in a High Yield Savings Account. You can also remove the Wallet app from your iPhone if you wish.

Smart home connectivity via Matter

Matter, the new smart home connectivity standard, is now supported. This means you can control smart devices like Alexa and Google Assistant from your iPhone.

Clean energy charging parameter

A new Clean Energy Charge toggle has been added to the Battery section in Settings. The tweak could help reduce your carbon footprint when charging your iPhone. When clean power charging is turned on, your iPhone will selectively charge when low-carbon electricity is available. This setting appears to be enabled by default, but you can disable it if you wish by going to Settings > Battery > Battery health and charge and tapping the toggle next to Clean energy charge.

Apple Books interface upgrade

If you read books on your iPhone, your reader controls will be automatically hidden when you open Apple Books.

Bug fixes

Apple also fixed a handful of bugs. These fixes address issues such as deleted conversations appearing in messages, some Dynamic Island content not appearing when using accessibility, and CarPlay not connecting when using a VPN app.

For more information on iOS, see the iOS 16 cheat sheet, how to download ios 16.1 now and iOS 16 hidden features you need to know.