Huge free iPhone upgrade gets you four new features today – how to claim them

A HUGE new iPhone update is expected to arrive later today.

It’s due to introduce loads of handy features – as well as some bug fixes and security upgrades.

Apple

Your iPhone will soon be able to showcase live sports scores on the Lock Screen[/caption]

Apple

One of the big changes is that Fitness+ works on iPhone even without an Apple Watch[/caption]

The update is called iOS 16.1 and will go live around the world at around the same time on Monday, October 24.

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.

Of course Apple’s plans may change, so the rollout might take longer than expected.

Still, it should be visible for everyone by Tuesday, October 25.

To check for the iPhone upgrade, go to Settings > General > Software Update.

You can download the update for free, and it’ll get you these 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.

And in the upcoming iOS 16.1 upgrade, Apple is adding a brand new type of widget.

They’re called Live Activities and they offer up real-time info on ongoing events.

The big advantage of this is that live sports scores can be display directly on your Home Screen.

Live Activities aren’t just limited to sporting fixtures, of course.

“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.

That means you’ll also be able to track how far your food delivery is from your address, or how you’re getting on 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 finally coming to iPhone without the need for 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.

And in iOS 16.1, it’s available to use on iPhone even you don’t have an Apple-branded smartwatch.

New battery icon

Apple is also tweaking the iPhone’s new battery symbol with a slightly slicker design.

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.

Now a new version of the battery symbol depletes as it’s drained.

Clean Energy Charging

Apple is also adding a new Clean Energy Charging option for the 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.”

The feature is optional, so you don’t have to use it if you don’t want to.

No support

The bad news is that not all users can get iOS 16.1.

If you can upgrade to iOS 16 then you’re fine, but anyway with a very old iPhone model will miss out.

Here’s a list of all the iOS 16 (and iOS 16.1) supported 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)

Not being able to get the latest iOS means you’ll lose access to the most up-to-date security fixes.

These are vital patches that close holes used by hackers to access your systems.

So using a very old iPhone that can’t be updated could put you at risk.

If you can’t update to iOS 16, consider upgrading your iPhone sooner rather than later.

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