**iOS 15.5: Features, Release Date, and Everything You Need to Know**

Apple’s iOS updates always bring a mix of excitement and curiosity—what’s new, what’s fixed, and whether it’s worth installing right away or waiting for the bugs to get ironed out. iOS 15.5 might not be the flashiest update, but it packs some under-the-hood improvements and a few surprises that make it worth your attention. Whether you’re a casual user or a tech enthusiast, here’s the full breakdown of what iOS 15.5 offers, when it landed, and why it matters.

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### **The Basics: What Is iOS 15.5?**
Released in May 2022, iOS 15.5 was a mid-cycle update—not a massive overhaul like iOS 16, but more than just a security patch. Think of it as a fine-tuning update, smoothing out rough edges from earlier versions while adding a handful of useful features.

If you’ve been holding off on updating because you’re wary of bugs or battery drain, iOS 15.5 was surprisingly stable. But let’s get into the specifics.

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### **Key Features in iOS 15.5**

#### **1. Apple Cash Updates**
One of the more practical additions was the new “Request” and “Send” buttons in Apple Cash. Before, you had to dig through Messages or Wallet to handle payments. Now, it’s streamlined—just open Wallet, tap Apple Cash, and you can instantly request money or send it without extra steps. Small change, but handy if you split bills often.

#### **2. Podcasts App Tweaks**
Apple’s Podcasts app got a subtle but welcome update: a setting to limit how many episodes are stored on your device. If you’re someone who subscribes to dozens of podcasts, this prevents your iPhone from getting clogged with hundreds of old episodes. You can cap it at 1, 3, 5, or 10 episodes per show.

#### **3. Apple Classical References**
This one flew under the radar. Buried in the code, references to “Apple Classical” hinted at Apple’s plans to spin off classical music into a separate app (which eventually happened with Apple Music Classical). At the time, it was just a teaser, but it showed Apple was already prepping for niche music lovers.

#### **4. Sports Kit for Developers**
For the tech-savvy, iOS 15.5 introduced “SportsKit,” a framework for developers to integrate live sports scores and stats into apps. This was a quiet move, but it laid groundwork for features like real-time MLB updates in the TV app.

#### **5. External Payment Links (For Some)**
Due to legal pressures, Apple loosened its App Store rules slightly—but only for “reader” apps (like Netflix or Spotify). These apps could now include links to external websites for payments, bypassing Apple’s 30% cut. A small win for developers, though most apps still had to play by Apple’s rules.

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### **Bug Fixes and Performance**
Every update promises to squash bugs, but iOS 15.5 actually delivered on a few headaches:
– **HomeKit:** Fixed a bug where home automations could fail if triggered by people leaving or arriving.
– **Photos:** Addressed an issue where “Memories” might generate with the wrong titles or missing photos.
– **Battery Drain:** Some users reported better battery life post-update, though Apple didn’t explicitly list this in the patch notes (typical Apple).

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### **Release Date and Compatibility**
iOS 15.5 dropped on **May 16, 2022**, and was available for all iPhones that could run iOS 15—that’s iPhone 6s and newer. The update size hovered around 500MB to 1GB, depending on your device.

Pro tip: If you’re still on an older iOS and debating whether to upgrade, 15.5 was a safe bet. It didn’t introduce major new features that could slow down older devices, unlike some heavier updates.

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### **Should You Install iOS 15.5 in 2024?**
Here’s the real talk: If you’re still on iOS 15.5, you’re way behind. Apple’s moved on to iOS 17, and staying on older software means missing security patches and new features. But if you’re reading this for historical context (or you’re a developer testing compatibility), iOS 15.5 was a solid, no-drama update in its time.

For most users today, though, updating to the latest iOS version is the smarter move—unless you’ve got a specific reason to stay put (like jailbreaking or app compatibility).

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### **Final Thoughts**
iOS 15.5 wasn’t a game-changer, but it didn’t need to be. It polished existing features, fixed nagging bugs, and quietly set the stage for future updates. For Apple, it was another step in refining the iOS 15 experience before the big leap to iOS 16.

If you’re nostalgic for the iOS 15 days or just love geeking out over update histories, 15.5 deserves a nod for being reliable. But for now? Keep your iPhone updated—security patches are worth it.

Got questions about iOS 15.5 or upgrading to newer versions? Drop them in the comments. Happy updating!