Apple iOS 17.1 iPhone Software Release: Should You Upgrade?

The latest iPhone software has landed. It’s a full point update, iOS 17.1, and includes new features as well as bug squishes and security fixes. You can read my rundown of exactly what’s in the new release here.

Read on for how it’s going since it’s been out.

I’ll be updating this post over the next week to take into account any problems that arise, so please check back.

Who Is It For?

Apple iOS 17.1 works with all iPhones compatible with iOS 17, that is, handsets from the iPhone XS onwards. Updates are available automatically but you may find you have it on your iPhone sooner if you click on Settings, then General, then Software Update.

What It’s About

New features of note include the long-awaited improvement to AirDrop. If you cease to be near enough for regular AirDrop file transfer to work, it’ll continue over the internet. There are lots more new features, large and small to enjoy.

Apple Release Notes

Apple has detailed many of these in the release notes, which are at the end of this post. That’s a sign that this update is not just about fixes.

Apple iOS 17.1 Security

There are 18 security flaws fixed in iOS 17.1. That’s a lot, but the good thing is that there are no reports of any of them being actively exploited ahead of the new software release. They affect multiple apps including Contacts, where an app could have accessed sensitive user data, Find My, where sensitive location information could be read, Photos, where a Hiddne Photos Album could be seen without authentication and Siri where someone with physical access to your iPhone could access sensitive user data.

Initial Reactions

So far, there have been sporadic complaints but mostly a positive reaction, with several comments confirming no battery issues (which can be common after update releases) or overheating.

One user said the update, “Fixed my custom text tone issue!!” That’s good because it was one of the intended purposes of 17.1. There seems to have been an issue with users of TestFlight, for people with beta versions of apps, but that has been fixed by an update to the TestFlight app itself.

Apple iOS 17.1 Initial Verdict: Update

So far, so good. This is a medium-sized update but so far with small pushback. I’ll be checking things over the coming days but right now, the advice is to update now.

What’s Coming Next

Apple has already released the first developer beta of iOS 17.2, which was quick. It includes the Journal app, which many have been waiting for.

Apple Release Notes For iOS 17.1

This update introduces the ability for AirDrop transfers to continue over the internet when you step out of AirDrop range. This release also includes enhancements to StandBy and Apple Music, as well as other features, bug fixes, and security updates for your iPhone.

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

This update also includes the following improvements and bug fixes:

· Option to choose a specific album to use with Photo Shuffle on the Lock Screen

· Home key support for Matter locks

· Improved reliability of Screen Time settings syncing across devices