Apple is closing the year with a new iOS update that the tech giant recommends to all users.
iOS 17.2.1 is now available for download on the iPhone and includes ‘important bug fixes,’ according to the release note.
In Japan , the update says it fixes battery drain issues – something that has plagued users since the previous iOS system was released earlier this month.
But the English notes do not mention the problem.
Apple is closing the year with a new iOS update that the tech giant recommends to all users. iOS 17.2.1 is now available for download on the iPhone. The update includes ‘important bug fixes
‘Keeping your software up to date is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your Apple product’s security,’ the company shared.
Apple released iOS 17.2.1 on Tuesday to address issues found in the previous update, iOS 17.2, which arrived with the Journal app earlier this month.
iOS 17.2.1 is available now for iPhone XS and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2nd generation and later, iPad Pro 10.5-inch, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 6th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later.
To install it on your device, open the Settings app, then General and Software Update.
If your device is compatible, you’ll see iOS 17.2.1 listed.
You can either download it immediately or overnight, although you’ll need to make sure your iPhone is on charge for this to happen.
The Japanese release notes mention it fixes battery drain issues – the English notes do not mention the problem
While the English notes do not mention battery issues, users shared on social media that they noticed ‘a huge battery drain after updating to iOS 17.2’
While the English notes do not mention battery issues, users shared on social media that they noticed ‘a huge battery drain after updating to iOS 17.2.’
About two days after the software update was released, reports about battery issues surfaced.
Several frustrated users have taken to X to discuss the issue, with one claiming they now have to charge their iPhone multiple times throughout the day.
‘iOS 17.2 is killing my battery, I swear,’ one user tweeted.
Another added: ‘iOS 17.2 draining the battery a lot, man.’
And one vented: ‘Updated to iOS 17.2, and it drained my battery so fast. Just use it for 10 minutes to change my contact picture, and it drains from 99 to 91 so fast.’
It is yet to be seen if iOS 17.2.1 addresses the issue.
The Journal app, discovered after iOS 17.2 dropped, prompted users to write about their lives to ‘reflect and practice gratitude,’ according to Apple.
However, tech experts have pointed out that the app’s default settings make your phone discoverable by nearby devices, not just when you use it.
On top of that, the app deploys machine learning on each user’s device.
The Journal app exploits users’ photos, workout data, recent music listening history, and even location data to craft so-called journal entries that are mostly complete before the phone’s owner even enters a single word.
These capabilities have sparked privacy concerns and fears over the data that may be shared without people’s knowledge.
Ruby Media Group CEO Kristen Ruby shared skepticism on X: ‘I can’t believe no one thinks this Apple Journal is a big deal. Forget ChatGPT. This is on-device machine learning. From your LIFE. Hello, wake up.’
The tech expert also reflected on how AI-generated prompts change the nature of journaling and self-reflection by inserting machine learning between a person’s brain and their pen.
‘AI will prompt you with what to write based on reviewing your digital history on your device,’ Ruby wrote.
‘The sacred bond between pen and paper and your brain no longer exists when there is another entity involved. This forever changes the concept of self-reflection when AI is prompting you on what to reflect on.’
She also highlighted the similarity between Journaling Suggestions and Google’s secretive ‘Project Ellmann.’
