While the news While the coming out of WWDC 2026 wasn’t as dramatic as last year’s iOS 26 update, where the new Liquid Glass redesign caused a huge stir, Apple’s presentation still made waves.
During the WWDC keynote, Apple announced new changes to the next version of its mobile operating systems, iOS 27 and iPadOS 27. The updates will come to iPhones and iPads later this year, rolling out in September.
iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 focus heavily on stability improvements that improve the day-to-day usability of the operating systems. There are many smaller quality-of-life improvements, but the big highlight is the Siri AI improvements. Here’s everything you need to know.
Is your iPhone or iPad compatible?
Apple sometimes cuts some older devices from the support list with each new iOS or iPadOS version due to hardware age. (Apple typically supports iPhones and iPads for six to seven years.) But there’s good news this year. 2019 and newer iPhones—including iPhone 11 and later, including the iPhone SE (2nd Gen)—will support iOS 27.
That means any iPhone that received iOS 26 is compatible with iOS 27. If you’re not sure about your iPhone model, go ahead Settings > General > About And look at the model name.
Because iPads have a unique naming system, they’re not straightforward. Apple discontinued the “Generations” moniker and now uses the chipset to denote the model. Here you can find out which model of iPad you are using. There are a few iPads that are now cut off from the iPadOS 27 update, including the 8th-gen iPad from 2020 and the 5th-gen iPad Mini.
- iPad: 9th generation and later, including A16
- iPod mini: 6th generation and later, including the A17 Pro
- The iPad Air 11-inch: 4th generation and later, including M2, M3 and M4
- iPad Air 13-inch: M2 and later
- iPad Pro 11-inch: 2nd generation and later
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch: 4th generation and later
- iPad Pro: M4 and later
Do I need to install the developer beta?
Anyone can install the developer beta of iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 now. But this might not be a good idea, especially on a phone that you use and rely on every day. Developer betas are notoriously buggy and sometimes have crashing issues that can crash your phone. If you really want to give it a try, you can use an old iPhone you have.
If you want to try it anyway, backup your iPhone before installing the update. Then, the head Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates and selection iOS 27 Developer Beta Or iPadOS 27 Developer Beta. You should see an option to install it immediately. (Installation will take several minutes.)
A public beta is mostly stable and may be the best time to try out the software. It is usually available in July, and the final version is often released in mid-September.
Apple Intelligence only works on select iPhones
Even if older iPhones and iPads get the iOS 27 or iPadOS 27 update, that doesn’t mean they’ll get all the new features. Apple Intelligence is only compatible with the iPhone 15 Pro and new and select iPads, meaning many of the new artificial intelligence features aren’t available on older devices.
Best new iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 features
Here’s an overview of some of the big changes coming to iOS and iPadOS 27. Updates are mostly the same for both operating systems.
Siri AI and a new Siri app
Courtesy of Apple
Siri is finally becoming the “most capable assistant,” or so the claim goes. Apple says that’s largely thanks to its third-generation foundational models, built from the ground up with help from Google’s Gemini models. However, Apple says that it does not use Google’s infrastructure and that no user data from Siri actions is shared with Google.
Siri AI has a completely new look when you activate the Assistant. It now resembles a glass sphere. You can type or speak to Siri naturally, and there’s even a dedicated app to replay previous conversations or pick up where you left off on another device. Siri is now in the Camera app, giving you a direct way to launch a visual search like Google Lens. You can point a camera at a restaurant bill and split a Siri tab.
As Assistant understands your personal context, it can find relevant information based on your query through your emails, messages, photos. It can take action on your behalf, whether it’s to craft an email with a specific tone or get wine recommendations for a specific meal. Siri’s voice is pretty obvious, but you can customize the assistant’s voice and adjust its expression and speed.
Platform stability improvements
Courtesy of Apple
One of the most appreciated features is Apple’s improvements in making iOS run faster. The company claims app launches are up to 30 percent faster, newly taken photos in your photo library are up to 70 percent faster, and AirDrop transfers are up to 80 percent faster. The iPhone does a better job of switching between Wi-Fi and cellular, so you won’t have that awkward minute without any service when you’re waiting for your device to switch networks while away from home. Most of these updates affect older iPhone models like the iPhone 11, thanks to a better optimized CPU Scheduler.
Liquid glass cleaner
Courtesy of Apple
Hate Liquid Glass? Love Liquid Glass? Well, in iOS 27 you have a few options to make it work to your taste. Apple claims to have updated the design language to improve readability and contrast in general. App icons are sharp, for example. But you now finally have a slider in the settings menu that lets you adjust the intensity of the liquid mirror look from very clear to opaque. You can customize it Settings > Appearance > Liquid Glass.
Child safety features
Courtesy of Apple
Apple spent a lot of time at the WWDC keynote talking about child safety features in iOS 27 and iPadOS 27. When a child first sets up an Apple device, parents can run the new Setup Assistant, which includes choosing what system apps the child has and other essential applications. An “Ask to Browse” feature sees that any new websites kids visit in Safari are sent to parents for approval, and a Communication Safety feature prevents kids from viewing nudity or violence in Messages or FaceTime apps; They fade naturally.
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