Apple iOS 27 brings long-awaited Siri AI overhaul, with daily usage limits unless you pay for iCloud+

In short: This year’s iOS, iPadOS and macOS updates mark the beginning of Apple’s long-awaited response to AI offerings from its competitors. The Cupertino-based company took the opportunity to address growing concerns about the safety of children on mobile devices, refine its controversial Liquid Glass design language and introduce performance improvements to its platforms.

Early testing is now available for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27 and visionOS 27. The updates, which will bring buildable AI features to Apple devices and strengthen child-safety controls, will enter public beta testing next month before launching this fall.

All supported Apple devices get an updated Siri experience, which serves as the centerpiece of the company’s new AI platform. Siri can describe what you see on the screen, find photos based on user descriptions, search the web for information, draft documents and perform tasks in many other applications.

Conversations are encrypted and stored in iCloud, allowing users to continue communicating seamlessly across Apple devices. However, it’s not clear how Apple has dealt with the hallucinogenic problems commonly associated with generative AI systems.

Apple Intelligence can edit photos, create images, display relevant information during calls, organize email, create AI-generated shortcuts and quickly update saved passwords. However, some cloud-based features are subject to daily usage limits, which users can remove with an iCloud+ subscription.

New child account controls give parents greater oversight of the apps, websites and other content their children can access. Parents can manage screen time and track purchases through a more intuitive interface.

Following criticism over the Liquid Glass design language introduced last year, Apple is adding an opacity slider that allows users to adjust the transparency level for improved readability.

The company has promised performance improvements on its platforms. According to Apple, apps launch 30% faster, new photos are saved 70% faster, and AirDrop transfers are 80% faster.

Also, iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 can quickly and seamlessly switch between Wi-Fi and cellular networks, helping users stay connected on the go. Additionally, the improved CPU scheduler improves performance through a new approach to task prioritization, especially on older devices.

Along with these changes, macOS 27 adds improved support for ultrawide displays at resolutions up to 5K and refresh rates up to 120Hz. Mac users can seamlessly switch between audio and video podcasts. Meanwhile, AirPods get custom balance settings, while watchOS 27 introduces custom wallet passes that support any member QR code or barcode.

iOS 27 supports iPhone 11 and newer models, maintaining compatibility with every device that supports iOS 26.

Marking the end of support for Intel-based Macs, macOS 27 is compatible with 2020 or later MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, 2021 iMac and newer, 2020 Mac mini and newer, 2022 Mac Studio and newer, and Mac 2023.

iPadOS 27 supports the M4 iPad Pro and newer models, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (4th generation and later), the 11-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation and later), the 13-inch and 11-inch iPad Air models powered by M2 chips, or the newer iPad and Air standard (4th Generation, iPad-Air). iPad (9th generation and later), and iPad mini (6th generation and later), including the A17 Pro model.

This year’s Apple Watch update supports Apple Watch SE 3, Series 10, Series 11, Ultra 2 and Ultra 3.