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4 New Features From The iOS 17.1 Update That Users Will Find Useful

Better check out your iPhone because these new tricks are nifty.

Cover image via Ketut Subiyanto/Pexels & Apple

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The latest iOS update brings a lot to the table and honestly, it's worth checking out

The newly released iOS 17.1 introduces an array of new features and bug fixes to your iPhone devices. However, some features are still in the works such as the Journal app.

Image via Apple

Here's how you can ensure that your iPhone is running on the latest software

Firstly, head into your Settings app on your phone. Then tap on the General menu, and you will see Software Update.

If your device is running on the latest iOS, then the phone will inform you. However, if you haven't updated your phone, you can do so in the Software Update menu.

Once everything is set, you can keep on reading to explore the new features of iOS 17.1.

Image via Syazwan Bahri

New StandBy mode lets you tweak the mode to your liking

Image via 9to5Mac

StandBy mode is a very nifty feature, and in the latest iOS 17.1 update, Apple has added more customisation options for it. 

With iOS 17.1, you can now choose to disable StandBy mode after 20 seconds, keep it on all the time, or set it to work "Automatically". 

According to Apple, if you select the "Automatically" option, your iPhone's display will turn off when it's not in use and if the surroundings are dark, like when you're sleeping at night.

However,  these settings are found on the iPhone 14 Pro onwards. It seems that these enhanced settings are exclusively accessible on iPhones with an always-on display.

Apple Music received an interesting update as well

Image via Mashable

In the iOS 17.1 update, Apple has introduced a convenient feature in Apple Music that lets you easily identify and mark your favourite songs. When you're playing a song and viewing its card on your iPhone, you'll notice a star icon next to the song's title. By tapping this star, you can add the song to your list of Favourites.

Furthermore, there's a new method to access all your Favourite playlists, albums, and songs. To locate them, simply navigate to the relevant category within Apple Music, click on the button in the top-right corner of your screen, and select "Favorited".

iOS 17.1 also brings song recommendations to Apple Music users. These suggestions can be found within your playlists by scrolling to the bottom of the playlist, where you'll come across a section named "Song Suggestions". These recommendations are tailored to your musical preferences and are intended to help you discover new music you might enjoy.

AirDrop gets a significant upgrade too

Image via MacRumors

In iOS 17, Apple enhanced AirDrop with a feature called NameDrop, which enables two devices to quickly share contact information by tapping them together, somewhat resembling a digital business card exchange.

With the release of iOS 17.1, Apple has now made it possible to utilize cellular data for sending and receiving data via AirDrop when two iPhones are not within direct proximity of each other.

Never have a stray flashlight turned on ever again

Image via 9to5Mac

Have you ever unintentionally activated your iPhone's flashlight and had someone bring it to your attention later?

Well, some iPhone users may not need to be concerned about this anymore. In iOS 17.1, when you activate the flashlight, a small flashlight icon will be displayed in the Live Activities feed at the top of your screen.

However, this feature is reportedly exclusive to iPhones equipped with Live Activity support, such as the iPhone 14 Pro, Pro Max, and the iPhone 15 series.

Here are the full release notes for iOS 17.1

AirDrop

- Content continues to transfer over the internet when you step out of AirDrop range.

StandBy

- New options to control when the display turns off (iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max).

Music

- Favorites expanded to include songs, albums and playlists, and you can filter to display your favorites in the library.
- New cover art collection offers designs that change colors to reflect the music in your playlist.
- Song suggestions appear at the bottom of every playlist, making it easy to add music that matches the vibe of your playlist.

These are some of the highlights from the full release notes. For more information on the latest updates, you can check them out here.

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