Apple releasediOS 17and watchOS 10 in the middle of September, bringing a number of new features toiPhoneandApple Watch. For Apple Watch, there was a complete overall of the user interface, and while some of the changes take some getting used to, there are some great additions, like the Snoopy Watch Face. Meanwhile, for iPhone, we got features like NameDrop, Contact Posters andCheck In, to name but a few.
Some of the features that were announced at WWDC didn’t arrive on the iPhone or Apple Watch with iOS 17 andwatchOS 10however. We haven’t seen the Journal app appear yet for example, and until now, the Apple Watch Series 9’s best new feature wasn’t available either. Apple has now announced iOS 17.1 and watchOS 10.1, and with these software updates come a number of bug fixes and improvements, as well as a few key features for your iPhone and Apple Watch.
Double Tap
For Apple Watch, watchOS 10.1 sees Double Tap come to theApple Watch Series 9andWatch Ultra 2. Unfortunately, this feature is only available on the latest Apple Watch models as it requires theS9 SiP and its more powerful Neural Enginethat comes with the new platform to deliver the feature, but if you have one of these models, you are in for a treat.
Double Tapis super helpful when you don’t have both hands, such as when you’re walking your dog or holding a cup of coffee. The gesture involves pinching your thumb and index finger together to allow you to answer and end a phone call on Watch, open a Smart Stack and scroll though, ortake a photo on your iPhonewith the remote on your Apple Watch, for example. There are plenty more use cases for the gesture too, offering a different way of interacting with your device.
NameDropcame to iPhone when iOS 17 launched but itdidn’t arrive on Apple Watch until watchOS 10.1. It’s another great feature, allowing you to exchange contact information with another person simply by holding your Apple Watch or iPhone near another Apple Watch or iPhone. You can choose to share your contact information, share and receive contact information with the other person or only receive contact information. This feature also takes advantage of Contact Posters so make sure yours is as great as it can be bycustomising it to your heart’s content.
AirDrophas been around for a long time on iPhone and it is brilliant. It allows you to quickly share files, photos, documents and anything else you might like to with another Apple device, likeiPad,Macor iPhone. With iOS 17, AirDrop saw a big upgrade in that it’s now possible to simply hold the top of your iPhone next to the top of the iPhone you want to share your files or images with and the transfer will happen automatically. With iOS 17.1 however, you start an AirDrop, and it will continue over the internet when you step out of AirDrop range, so you don’t have to stand next to the person you are sharing with and wait.
To download iOS 17.1 and watchOS 10.1, you’ll first need to make sure your iPhone or Apple Watch iscompatiblewith the latest software. If you are running iOS 17 or watchOS 10, you will be able to download iOS 17.1 and watchOS 10.1.
Open settings on your iPhone > Tap on General > Software Update > Download and Install.
For Apple Watch, you may either open the Watch app on your iPhone > Tap on General > Software Update > Download and Install. If you want to download the update on the Apple Watch itself then press the Digital Crown > Tap on Settings > General > Software Update > Download and Install.
