Apple Seeds Second iOS 17.1 Release Candidate for iPhone 15 Models

Apple today seeded a second release candidate (RC) version of iOS 17.1 to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a few days after Apple seeded the first RC. The second release candidate is limited to iPhone 15 models, and it won't be available for download on other devices.

iOS 17
Registered developers are able to opt into the iOS 17.1 beta by opening up the Settings app, going to the Software Update section, tapping on the "Beta Updates" option, and toggling on the ‌iOS 17 or iPadOS 17‌ Developer Beta. An Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta.

iOS 17.1 adds the option to favorite songs, albums, playlists, artists, and more, with favorited content added to the Library and used for suggestions. Favoriting can be done from the Lock Screen using the Now Playing widget, plus when starting a playlist, you'll now see Song Suggestions.

AirDrop transfers can be finished over the internet so close proximity does not need to be maintained, and an Apple Watch running watchOS 10.1 can now use NameDrop with an iPhone running iOS 17.1. On the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro, iOS 17.1 ensures you won't activate the Camera or Flashlight in your pocket.

Other new features include a flashlight indicator in the Dynamic Island for non ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro models, and a Wallet feature that lets U.S. Discover card users and those in the UK connect their banks to see balances and transactions. Apple's release notes for the update are below:

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
- Fixes an issue that may cause the Significant Location privacy setting to reset when transferring an Apple Watch or pairing it for the first time
- Resolves an issue where the names of incoming callers may not appear when you are on another call
- Addresses an issue where custom and purchased ringtones may not appear as options for your text tone
- Fixes an issue that may cause the keyboard to be less responsive
- Crash detection optimizations (all iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models)
- Fixes an issue that may cause display image persistence

Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

On the iPad, the update also adds support for the new USB-C Apple Pencil.

More information on some of the unmentioned features in iOS 17.1 can be found in our available in our iOS 17.1 features article. iOS 17.1 is expected to launch next week.

Related Forums: iOS 17, iPadOS 17

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Top Rated Comments

cloud25 Avatar
20 months ago
"Fixes an issue that may cause the keyboard to be less responsive"

Thank you!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dominiongamma Avatar
20 months ago
People will complain battery life will suck when it comes out I bet ?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
krspkbl Avatar
20 months ago
installed :cool: 15 pro max. build 21B77 for whatever that's worth to you all since i know ya'll like your build #'s


No iPadOS…..
or Watch OS
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Japan Ricardo Avatar
20 months ago
Always a bad sign when RCs are re-released.

Wait for the problems when people download the final version....

I'm an Apple evangelist, but iOS17 is a disgrace. Phones switching off in the night (might not be a direct iOS17 issue), Reminders not working properly (no Inbox count on tile, repeat info removed when marking a reminder completed in iCloud.com), 'exclude this location' from items and Air Tags removed every few days. And Watch OS10 - complications not updating (alarms, in particular), excessive battery drain...

I don't mind it when new things don't quite work properly, but all the above is stuff that worked fine in the past....
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mnsportsgeek Avatar
20 months ago
It supposedly does not address the shutdown feature

https://www.macrumors.com/2023/10/18/ios-17-1-shutdown-bug-no-fix/
That was for RC1. We don’t know what they did here yet.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Surfer13134 Avatar
20 months ago

I took the gamble, because I like living on the edge. I just updated to 17.1
{topcomments_ago}
{topcomments_content}
Score: {topcomments_positives} Votes (Like | Disagree)
/. I’m not on the developers beta though. However, it works like a charm ?
You downloaded the RC that was released yesterday for everyone.

Edit: Tuesday, I keep thinking today is Wednesday for some reason.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)