IPHONE customers are only days away from receiving a massive free upgrade
Apple is set to release new features Monday 24 October.
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It’ll include a host of amazing iPhone hacks – and four are particularly exciting.
The update is called iOS 16.1; it will be live all over the globe at the same moment.
If you’re in the UK then it will probably land in the evening, after 6pm – while Californians should look out at around 10am, with New Yorkers getting it around lunch time.
Apple’s plans might change so rollout could take longer than expected.
However, it should still be visible to everyone by Tuesday October 25.
To check for the iPhone upgrade, go to Settings > General > Software Update.
This update can be downloaded for free. It will give you the following four features:
Live Activities
Back in September, Apple rolled out iOS 16 – giving users the ability to massively customise their iPhone Lock Screens.
This included the ability to add widgets to the Lock Screen for the first time.
Apple will add a new type of widget to iOS 16.1 in the near future.
They are known as Live Activities and offer real-time updates on ongoing events.
This has the advantage that you can display live scores directly on your Home Screen.
Live Activities don’t have to be limited to sporting events.
“Live Activities is a new feature that helps users stay on top of things that are happening in real time, such as a sports game, workout, ride-share, or food delivery order, right from the Lock Screen,” Apple explained.
You can also track where your food delivery is coming from and how you are doing during exercise.
These Live Activity widgets will be temporary and live at the bottom of your iPhone Lock Screen – as opposed to the current widgets that persist at the top of the display.
Apple Fitness+
Apple Fitness+ is now available for iPhone without the need of an Apple Watch.
The service provides personalised workouts beamed to your eyes and ears through your iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV – but previously required Apple Watch ownership.
It costs £9.99 / $9.99 a month or £79.99 / $79.99 for a year’s subscription.
You can use it on iPhone with iOS 16.1 even if your smartwatch is not Apple-branded.
New icon for the battery
Apple has also updated the iPhone’s battery symbol to be more elegant.
It follows Apple fan complaints over the fact that the battery icon didn’t deplete as it drained.
The new icon – introduced last month with iOS 16 – finally added a number to represent battery percentage.
This was a long-requested feature, but some iPhone users weren’t entirely happy.
Currently the battery icon appears full right down until below 20% – no matter what the number percentage says.
As the battery is drained, a new version will be created.
Clean Energy Charging
Apple also offers a Clean Energy Charging option that is eco-friendly.
“In your region, iPhone will try to reduce your carbon footprint by selectively charging when lower carbon emission electricity is available,” Apple explained.
“iPhone learns from your daily charging routine so it can reach full charge before you need to use it.”
This feature can be used in any way you like.
No support
Unfortunately, not everyone can access iOS 16.1.
You can upgrade to iOS 16 if you wish, but older models of iPhones will not work.
Here’s a list listing all supported iOS 16 (and iOS 161) devices.
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone Xs
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone SE (2nd Generation or Later)
You won’t be able to download the latest iOS, which means that you will lose access to security fixes.
These are vital patches that close holes used by hackers to access your systems.
You could be at risk if you use an old iPhone that cannot be updated.
You should upgrade your iPhone sooner than you think if you are unable to update to iOS 16.
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