Apple has officially launched iOS 17.1, the latest update for its iPhone operating system. The release comes following the introduction of iOS 17 last month and introduces several noteworthy changes.
Among the significant features in iOS 17.1 is the ability to continue AirDrop transfers over a cellular connection, a feature introduced at Apple’s developer conference in June but was not included in the main iOS 17 release last month. With this update, if two connected devices using AirDrop move out of Wi-Fi range after the sending process has begun, the transfer can seamlessly continue over a cellular connection.
Additionally, the update brings a new “Favorites” feature to Apple Music. This allows users to add songs, albums, playlists, and artists to their library, helping the app’s recommendation algorithms better understand and tailor music suggestions.
Furthermore, the settings for the StandBy feature have been refined to offer users more control over when the phone’s display turns off when used in smart display mode.
iOS 17.1 also introduces specific features for users in the UK, enabling them to view their bank balance within the Apple Wallet app for supported accounts, thanks to integration with the country’s Open Banking API. This update serves to address the regulatory issues faced by iPhone 12 in France, where its sale was temporarily banned for breaching radiation exposure limits.
Other enhancements in the update include wider availability of the flashlight indicator in the Dynamic Island, extending from iPhone 15 Pro to all Dynamic Island-equipped devices, and the option to choose a specific album for Photo Shuffle, allowing users to select images from that album.
To download iOS 17.1, users can navigate to Settings > General > Software Update and follow the installation instructions. It’s important to note that iOS software updates may not be immediately available to all users, so some may need to wait until the update is accessible. Once it’s ready for download, a notification icon will appear on the Settings app.
Update (October 25th, 1:43 PM ET): The mentioned features are now available for users to enjoy.
