Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile

Apple’s iOS 15.1 and iPadOS 15.1 bring SharePlay, camera improvements, and more

By

Apple is rolling out iOS 15.1 and iPadOS 15.1, its third update to the current generation of iOS since it rolled out alongside the iPhone 13. The iOS 15.1 update brings SharePlay, which lets multiple Apple users enjoy movies, music, and other content together during FaceTime calls; ProRes video recording on the iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro Max, among other improvements to the camera; and some additions to the Home, Shortcuts, Translate, and Wallet apps.

Among the slew of new features that iOS 15.1 delivers, SharePlay is bound to get most of the attention. As its name indicates, SharePlay offers multiple shared experiences using FaceTime, from browsing the web together to watching synchronized movies or TV shows to sharing content across the Apple Music, Apple Fitness+, Apple TV, and other App Store apps. It also gives each user the ability to play, pause, rewind, or fast-forward movies, shows, or music and automatically lowers the volume of the content when it detects someone speaking.

Apple Music and the FaceTime preferences pane being used during a SharePlay session on a Mac running MacOS Monterey.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Besides SharePlay, iOS 15.1 brings ProRes video recording to the iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro Max. The video feature minimizes compression while recording a video to capture moire details, ensuring the highest-quality video for editing and post-processing. The update also adds a button to disable automatic switching to the macro mode, giving users more control over how to use the cameras. That was one of our big complaints in our review of the iPhone 13, so it’s nice to see.

Recommended Videos

You will now also be able to add your COVID-19 vaccination card to the Apple Wallet app. Additions to the Home app now let users automate different actions based on Homekit-based air quality, humidity, or ambient light sensors. You also get some new games to play with Siri, while the Translate app gets systemwide support for Mandarin Chinese (Taiwan). As with each update, iOS 15.1 also brings several bug fixes.

Related

The iOS 15.1 update is now rolling out to supported devices globally, and you should be able to download it right away by heading over to the Settings app and clicking General > Software Update.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Tushar Mehta
Tushar Mehta
Tushar has a passion for consumer tech and likes to tinker with smartphones, laptops, wearables, smart home devices, and…
I thought I’d love these two iOS 18 features, but I don’t
iPhone 15 Pro with iOS 18 lock screen.

Apple finally released iOS 18 to the public on September 16 after months of betas. It’s one of the biggest iOS updates in history, ushering in a new age of Apple Intelligence, more customization, RCS support, a new Photos app, and a lot more.

I didn’t use the iOS 18 betas, so the public release is the first time I’ve tried out all of the new features, minus Apple Intelligence (it's coming in iOS 18.1 next month).

Read more
iOS 18: Everything you need to know about the iPhone update
An iPhone 15 Pro Max running iOS 18, showing its home screen.

Apple showed off the next major iteration of iOS during its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in June. The next big update is iOS 18, and it’s packing quite a punch in terms of features.

It will eventually bring in Apple Intelligence, which is Apple’s suite of AI tools. Combined with new customization tools, a redesigned Photos app, and more, there’s a lot to dive into. Here’s everything you need to know about iOS 18.
iOS 18 release date

Read more
Apple just launched the iOS 18.1 public beta. Here’s how it’ll change your iPhone
Someone holding an iPhone 15 Pro Max outside on a patio, showing the back of the Natural Titanium color.

This week is quickly shaping up to be a huge one for Apple fans. On Monday, Apple officially released iOS 18, watchOS 11, and macOS 15 to the general public. Tomorrow, regular sales begin for the new iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, and Apple Watch Series 10. As if that weren't enough, Apple is now rolling out its first public betas with Apple Intelligence features.

Starting today, September 19, the public betas for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS 15.1 are available for anyone to download. The main draw to these public betas is that they all include Apple Intelligence features, which were previously locked to the developer betas for these software versions.

Read more