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When the story coming out of WWDC 2026 it’s not as amazing as last year iOS 26 updatewhich led to the reformation of Liquid Glass great upheavalApple’s presentation still made waves.
At the time of Image from WWDCApple went through the new updates coming to the next version of its mobile operating systems, iOS 27 and iPadOS 27. These updates will be sent to iPhones and iPads later this year, probably in September.
iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 focus on seamless improvements that improve everyday functionality. There are a few small changes to the quality, but the main highlight is Siri AI is improving. Here’s everything you need to know.
Is your iPhone or iPad compatible?
Apple sometimes cuts several older devices from the support list with each version of iOS or iPadOS, due to the age of the hardware. (Apple supports iPhones and iPads for six to seven years.) But there is good news this year. iPhones from 2019 and newer — iPhone 11 and up, including iPhone SE (2nd Gen) — will support iOS 27.
This means that any iPhone that received iOS 26 is still compatible with iOS 27. If you’re not sure about your iPhone model, go to Settings > General > About and look at the model name.
iPads are not straightforward, as they have a unique naming convention. Apple abandoned the “generation” moniker and now uses chipset to refer to the brand. You can recognize it What type of iPad do you have when posting here?. There are several iPads that have now been removed from the iPadOS 27 update, including the 8th-gen iPad from 2020 and the 5th-gen iPad Mini.
- iPad: 9th gen and later, including A16
- iPad Mini: 6th gen and later, including A17 Pro
- iPad Air 11 inch: 4th gen and later, including M2, M3, and M4
- iPad Air 13-inch: M2 and later
- iPad Pro 11-inch: 2nd gen and later
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch: 4th gen and later
- iPad Pro: M4 and later
Should I install the Developer Beta?
Anyone can install iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 beta right now. But it might not be a good idea, especially for a phone you use and rely on every day. Beta launchers are popular and sometimes have bugs that can make your phone not work. If you really want to try it, maybe use an old iPhone you have lying around.
If you want to try it no matter what, be sure protect your iPhone before installing the update. So, head to Settings > General > Software Updates > Beta Updates and choice iOS 27 Developer Beta or iPadOS 27 Developer Beta. You should see a way to install it right away. (Installation will take a few minutes.)
The public beta is usually very stable and can be a good time to test the software. They are usually available in July, and the final version comes out in mid-September.
Apple Intelligence Works on Select iPhones
Remember—even though older iPhones and iPads may receive the iOS 27 or iPadOS 27 update, that doesn’t mean all new features will be available. Apple Intelligence still works on the new iPhone 15 Pro and select iPads, meaning a number of artificial intelligence tools aren’t available on older devices.
New Features of iOS 27 and iPadOS 27
Here’s an overview of the major changes coming to iOS and iPadOS 27. The changes are the same for both systems.
Siri AI is a new version of Siri
Courtesy of Apple
Siri is finally becoming “a very supportiveApple says this is mainly due to its third-generation models, which were built from the ground up with the help of Google’s Gemini models.
Siri AI has a new feature when you activate the assistant. It now resembles a glass orb. You can write or speak naturally to Siri, and there is also a dedicated app where you can resume previous conversations, or just pick up where you left off on another device. Siri too now in the camera appgiving you a direct way to start visual search, like Google Lens. You can point the camera at a restaurant and Siri can share a tab.
The agent understands what is going on, so they can combine your emails, messages, photos to find the relevant information based on your query. It can take action on your behalf, whether it’s writing an email in a certain format, or getting wine recommendations for a particular dish. Siri’s voice is clear, but you can also change the voice of the assistant and change its movements and movements.
Improving Platform Stability
Courtesy of Apple
One of the most appreciated features is Apple’s improvements in making iOS faster. The company says app launches are up to 30 percent faster, newly captured photos in your Photo Library load up to 70 percent faster, and AirDrop transfers are up to 80 percent faster. The iPhone will do a better job of switching between Wi-Fi and cellular networks, so you won’t have that awkward moment without a job while waiting for your device to switch networks while leaving the house. Most of these changes will affect older iPhone models, such as the iPhone 11, thanks to the improved CPU Scheduler.
Liquid Glass Transition
Courtesy of Apple
Do you hate Liquid Glass? Do you like Liquid Glass? Well, you have some options to suit your taste in iOS 27. Apple says that it has changed the design language to make it more readable and different. Software graphics are sharp, for example. But now you have a slider in the Settings menu that allows you to change the appearance of Liquid Glass, from very clear to very transparent. You can customize this Settings > Appearance > Liquid Glass.
Child Safety Features
Courtesy of Apple
Apple spent a lot of time in the WWDC key points talking about child safety in iOS 27 and iPadOS 27. There is a new Setup Assistant parents can run when they start setting up a child’s Apple device, which includes choosing which system programs are available to the child and other important programs. The “Ask Not to Browse” feature ensures that any new pages kids visit in Safari are sent to a parent for approval, and the Communication Safety feature prevents kids from seeing nudity or violence in Messages or FaceTime apps; it is disturbed by instability.
