The wait for the first major update to iOS 16 is almost over. Apple revealed Thursday in a backwards sort of way that iOS 16.1 will reach iPhones everywhere on October 24.
The update will bring iCloud Shared Photo Library, Live Activities and other new features.
iOS 16.1 is definitely almost here
iOS 16 launched in September, bringing new customization options for the iPhone Lock Screen plus new ways to manage notifications. It’s available for every iPhone model going back years, but only about a third of users have installed it so far. It’s possible they’re waiting on the first major update, which will include new features and bug fixes.
The wait is almost over. Apple announced Thursday that Apple Fitness+ will be in iOS 16.1 starting on October 24. Which means, obviously, that iOS 16.1 has to be available on that date.
Of course, it could come out sooner. But iPadOS 16.1 and macOS Ventura are definitely coming on Oct. 24, and Apple releases OS upgrades together when possible. Also, the iOS 16.1 release candidate went to developers on Oct. 18 and devs need time to test their applications with what’s likely to be the final version.
What’s new
We don’t have to guess what’s coming in the new iPhone system software – along with the iOS 16.1 release candidate came a sneak peek at the release notes for the new version.
So according to Apple, “This update introduces iCloud Shared Photo Library making it easy to keep your family photos up to date. This release also adds support for third party apps in Live Activities, support for Apple Fitness+ on iPhone even if you don’t have an Apple Watch, and includes other features and bug fixes for your iPhone.”
The notes mean that iPhone users will finally get access to many of the new features Apple promised at WWDC in June and weren’t part of the initial iOS 16 release.
