iOS 8.1 is out, and here's everything that's changed

iOS 8.1 was released a short time ago. Among the hallmark features are the addition of Apple Pay support for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, along with new features and functionality like MMS/SMS Handoff support on supported Macs. There's a lot of other stuff besides. Here's the complete list, according to Apple's release notes:

  • Apple Pay support for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus (U.S. only)
  • Photos includes new features, improvements and fixes
    • Adds iCloud Photo Library as a beta service
    • Adds Camera Roll album in Photos app and My Photo Stream album when iCloud Photo Library is not enabled.
    • Provides alerts when running low on space before capturing Time Lapse videos
  • Messages includes new features, improvements and fixes
    • Adds the ability for iPhone users to send and receive SMS and MMS text messages from their iPad and Mac
    • Resolves an issue where search would sometimes not display results
    • Fixes a bug that caused read messages to not be marked as read
    • Fixes issues with group messaging
  • Resolves issues with Wi-Fi performance that could occur when connected to some base stations
  • Fixes an issue that could prevent connections to Bluetooth hands-free devices
  • Fixes bugs that could cause screen rotation to stop working
  • Adds an option to select between 2G, 3G or LTE networks for cellular data
  • Fixes an issue in Safari where videos would sometimes not play
  • Adds AirDrop support for Passbook passes
  • Adds an option to enable Dictation in Settings for Keyboards, separate from Siri
  • Enables HealthKit apps to access data in the background
  • Accessibility improvements and fixes
    • Fixes an issue that prevented Guided Access from working properly
    • Fixes a bug where VoiceOver would not work with 3rd party keyboards
    • Improves stability and audio quality when using MFi Hearing Aids with iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus
    • Fixes an issue with VoiceOver where tone dialing would get stuck on a tone until dialing another number
    • Improves reliability when using handwriting. Bluetooth keyboards and Braille displays with VoiceOver
  • Fixes an issue that was preventing the use of OS X Caching Server for iOS updates

Have you updated? Let me know in the comments!

Peter Cohen
Latest in iOS 8
iOS 8
Decade in review: 2014 is the year Apple made us think differently about our health
iOS 8.4.1 brings better accessibility to Apple Music
iBooks gets audiobooks, iBooks Author content for iPhone in iOS 8.4
How to fix iOS 8 Unicode Messages crash bug
Apple seeds iOS 8.4 beta to developers, includes revamped Music app
Touch ID not working for you post iOS 8.3? Here's the fix!
Latest in News
iMore Logo
One more thing… Goodbye from iMore
Jony Ive
Jony Ive’s OpenAI hardware device could be his next world-changing design
NEBULA Cosmos 4K SE with Apple TV
This new 4K projector is tempting me to replace my LG C2 TV, just so I can watch Slow Horses on a 200-inch display
VisionOS 2 app reorganization
visionOS 2 is the first major software update for Apple Vision Pro, and now it's available
macOS Sequoia
macOS Sequoia (version 15) is now available for your Mac with some big upgrades
watchOS 11
watchOS 11 is now rolling out to all Apple Watch users with the Series 6 or newer