Just one day after the release of iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, Apple began beta-testing iOS 15.1. The first beta was released to developers on Tuesday, September 21. The public release came on Monday, October 25, just over a month later.
The big addition in iOS 15.1 and iPadOS 15.1 is the addition of SharePlay, but there are several other significant enhancements, too. Originally scheduled as part of the iOS 15 launch, SharePlay was pushed back to a later software update.
Updated 10/25/21: Apple has released iOS 15.1. To grab the update, open Settings, tap General, then Software Update.
[For more tips, guides, and features about iOS 15, check out our iOS 15 Superguide.]
What’s new in iOS 15.1
SharePlay
After getting bumped from the original iOS 15 release, SharePlay is back in iOS 15.1. SharePlay lets users watch videos or listen to music together with others on a FaceTime call, with content in sync.
ProRes support
With the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max, you can capture video in the ProRes format in the Camera app. The feature was added in beta 3 of iOS 15.1. To enable ProRes, open Settings, then Camera, and enable ProRes under Formats. ProRes is useful for editing, but it takes a huge amount of storage space.
Auto Macro toggle
You can now choose whether you want the Camera app to automatically switch to the Ultra Wide format when it gets close to an object. The Ultra Wide camera on the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max has a 2cm minimum focus distance and can get much closer to a subject while remaining in focus, but it’s not always the best format for an up-close shot. If this is disabled, you can take macro shots by switching to the .5 view in the Camera app manually.
COVID-19 vaccination record in Wallet
With iOS 15.1 you’ll be able to add your vaccination record in the Health app. If your heathcare provider already syncs medical records with your Health app, it could already be there. You’ll then be able to add a verified vaccination record card to the Wallet app, with a QR code that can be scanned by whatever institutions want to verify your vaccination status.
This isn’t the only way to store your vaccination record on your iPhone. We have a feature showing you how to safely store your COVID vaccination card on your iPhone if you don’t have iOS 15.1 yet.
Unlock with Apple Watch is fixed
The “Unlock with Apple Watch” feature that lets you unlock your iPhone with your (unlocked) Apple Watch if Face ID fails has been broken for many users on iOS 15. With iOS 15.1, it’s working again, provided you also have the watchOS 8.1. Apple released a small iOS 15.0.1 update that fixed this issue as well.
Lossless audio for HomePod
Apple previously announced that lossless audio support for Apple Music would be coming to HomePod in iOS 15, but after making an appearance weeks ago in the third iOS 15 beta, it disappeared. Now it’s back. The HomePod beta is invitation only, but 9to5Mac has confirmed that in the 15.1 beta you can find the option inside the Home Settings of the Home app, then tapping the Apple Music tab.
How to download iOS 15.1
To download iOS 15 on your iPhone or iPadOS 15 on your iPad:
- Open Settings
- Tap General
- Tap Software Update
After quickly checking the servers, the update will display there, with “Download and Install” button. Simply tap that to begin the install process. It will take several minutes to download and prepare the update, and then your iPhone/iPad will restart.
iOS 15.1 release notes
iOS 15.1 adds SharePlay, an entirely new way to have shared experiences with family and friends in FaceTime. This release also adds the ability to capture ProRes video using iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, as well as verifiable COVID-19 vaccination cards in Apple Wallet, and includes other features and bug fixes for your iPhone.
SharePlay
SharePlay is a new way to share synchronized experiences in FaceTime with content from the Apple TV app, Apple Music, Fitness+, and other supported App Store apps
Shared controls give everyone the ability to pause, play, rewind or fast forward
Smart volume automatically lowers the audio of a movie, TV show or song when your friends speak
Apple TV supports the option to watch the shared video on your big screen while you continue the FaceTime call on iPhone
Screen sharing lets everyone on a FaceTime call look at photos, browse the web, or help each other out
Camera
ProRes video capture using iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max
Setting to turn off automatic camera switching when taking macro photos and videos on iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple Wallet
COVID-19 vaccination card support allows you to add and present verifiable vaccination information from Apple Wallet
Translate
Mandarin Chinese (Taiwan) support in the Translate app and for system-wide translation
Home
New automation triggers based on the current reading of a HomeKit-enabled humidity, air quality, or light level sensor
Shortcuts
New pre-built actions let you overlay text on images or gifs, plus a new collection of games lets you pass the time with Siri
This release also fixes the following issues:
Photos app may incorrectly report storage is full when importing photos and videos
Weather app may not show current temperature for My Location, and may display colors of animated backgrounds incorrectly
Audio playing from an app may pause when locking the screen
Wallet may unexpectedly quit when using VoiceOver with multiple passes
Available Wi-Fi networks may not be detected
Battery algorithms updated on iPhone 12 models to better estimate battery capacity over time
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website:
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222