iOS 17.1 update released: What’s new with the latest software update for your iPhone

Apple is rolling out iOS 17.1, the first major software update to iOS 17. The new software version, which has been in beta for a couple of weeks now, brings a bunch of new changes, along with some much-needed bug fixes. Here’s everything you need to know about the new update and how you can get your iPhones running the new update in minutes.

iOS 17.1: What’s new?

AirDrop over internet: With iOS 17.1, AirDrop can now enable the sharing of files over the internet. For transfers that you start in close proximity where one party has to walk away mid-transfer, this is a great ability. It will allow users to initiate a transfer via AirDrop in proximity, but will seamlessly continue over mobile data/Wi-Fi once the phones are pulled apart too far, keeping the transfer going.

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New StandBy options: The update also brings new features to the iOS 17 StandBy mode on the iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Users now have more options to choose when the screen turns off and the device enters StandBy mode.

New Apple Music features: The ‘love’ option on Apple Music is now replaced by a new Favourites feature that allows users to bring all their best music together in one spot. New cover art options also take more colours based on the songs in your playlist, and song suggestions at the end of every playlist makes finding new music easier.

Bug fixes: The update also fixes the bug on iPhone 15 series phones where the screen would retain images, text and other elements from other apps after switching to a new app, also popularly known as the “screen burn-In” issue.

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An issue that prevented the name of a second caller from showing up when you’re already on a call has also been fixed. All iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 series models also get better crash detection optimisations.

How to update your iPhone to iOS 17.1

Charge your iPhone to at least 50 per cent and connect to a Wi-Fi network of your choice. Alternately, you can also use cellular connection if you have enough data to support a big download.

Once you’re ready to install the update, dive into Settings > General > Software Update. If you don’t see an update card right away, swipe down on the screen to manually refresh and check for an update. The iOS 17.1 update card should now show up, and you can then proceed with on-screen instructions to install the update.