Apple is now rolling out its full iOS 16.1 update, the latest operating system for the best iPhones and iPads. iOS 16 was made available on September 13, 2022 and the official public release of iOS 16.1 was October 24.
iOS 16 saw introduced major improvements to Apple's mobile operating system, including beautiful (and helpful) customization options and Widgets for the Lock Screen.
iOS16.1 takes things a step further, adding the ability to create an iCloud Shared Photo Library. Some iOS updated improve the user experience, while others are more revolutionary – being able to delete the Apple wallet and share and collaborate on an iCloud Photo Library, for example.
We've rounded up some of the major iOS16.1 features below.
1. iCloud Shared Photo Library
Exciting, the new update offers a shared iCloud Photo Library – giving users the ability to create a separate iCloud library that up to six users can collaborate on – absolutely perfect for families and close friendship groups. The new feature allows users to share photos they already have in their personal libraries or alternately share based on a start date or people in the photographs.
2. Live Activities
Another of the major changes in iOS 16.1 so far is the addition of Live Activities, which helps you stay up-to-date with things that are happening in real-time, directly from your Lock Screen.
3. Clean Energy Charging
Apple is aiming to decrease the carbon footprint of the iPhone with the addition of Clean Energy Charging, which optimizes charging times for when the grid is using cleaner energy sources – nice!
4. More detailed Screenshot UI
iOS 16.1 sees the screenshot editing tool get an updated interface, that in turn gives you the chance to delete a screenshot, as well as copy, delete, or save it. This menu used to be at the bottom of the iPhone, whereas it's now at the top so as not to take over the display.
5. Delete Apple Wallet
The new operating system update allows iPhone users to delete Apple Wallet if they choose to – for the first time.
What is iOS?
iOS is simply an abbreviation of "i Operating System", and it's the prefix given to the mobile operating system created and developed by Apple exclusively for its hardware on iPhones and iPads.
Apple creates new, updated versions of operating systems every year, and iOS 16.1 is the most recent (at the time of writing).
How to get iOS 16.1 on your iPhone
Users can now install the iOS 16.1 update now by going to Settings > Software Update on a compatible iPhone or iPad. iOS 16.1 is a free software update that is available for iPhone 8 and later.
Discover our guide to the best iPhone for photography or if you're interested in a different model, check out the best camera phone.
