8 Sources
[1]
Apple Launches iOS 27 Public Beta. Every New iPhone Feature You Can Try, Plus How to Install It
Apple's iOS 27 public beta just landed. Originally unveiled at Apple's WWDC, iOS 27 will offer new features including an AI-powered Siri, a redesigned Screen Time app, more Liquid Glass customizations, and deeper Apple Intelligence integration. The stable version of iOS 27 is expected this fall alongside new iPhones, but if you're an early adopter who can't wait to get your hands on new features, you have two opportunities to try it out early: the public beta or the developer beta. The iOS 27 public beta officially launched on July 13, a few weeks after the first developer beta rolled out at WWDC. Like any beta software, we expect it to be a little buggier than the final release, and it could be a battery hog, so we recommend installing it on an extra device. Here's what's included in the iOS 27 public beta, which phones are compatible, and how to sign up. Think you know what Apple will do next? Play our Big Guessing Game for a chance to win an Apple Watch! How to Install the iOS 27 Public Beta on Your iPhone To test out the public beta version of iOS 27, you'll need to first sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program. Follow these steps: * Visit beta.apple.com * Sign in using the Apple Account you use on your iPhone * Once enrolled, open your iPhone. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. * Tap Beta Updates, then iOS 27 Public Beta If you want to test the iOS 27 public beta on your iPad, follow the same steps, but select the iPadOS 27 Public Beta instead. How to Install the New iOS 27 Developer Beta on Your iPhone If you want to join the developer beta for iOS 27, you need to register as an Apple developer. You can then access the beta by restarting your phone and navigating to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates. You should see the iOS 27 developer beta there. Note that the developer beta might not include every feature coming to iOS 27 just yet. What's Included in the New iOS 27 Public Beta? The iOS 27 public beta includes everything released so far across the three developer betas. You can test the long-awaited revamp of Siri, now called Siri AI. This virtual assistant is integrated across your phone, accessible via a dedicated Siri app, directly from the Dynamic Island, and seamlessly throughout the rest of the OS. The public beta also includes the new Liquid Glass customization options. You can also try our voice controls for Pace and Expressivity, which let you control how quickly or expressively Siri talks. Other features you can explore include Write with Siri, an Insights feature in Apple Wallet, updates to iPhone-to-Android RCS chats, and more. You may be limited in what you can test, depending on your device. Which Phones Can Install the iOS 27 Public Beta and Developer Betas? Though it may be trimming the number of Apple Watches that work with watchOS 27, Apple's list of compatible iPhones for iOS 27 goes all the way back to 2019's iPhone 11. That said, many features require Apple intelligence, which only works on the iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, and up.
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Public betas for iOS 27, macOS 27 and more Apple platforms are now available - Engadget
The headliner of iOS 27 is the long-awaited Siri AI. The new version transforms from a basic voice-command system into a modern AI assistant. It can hold natural conversations, understand follow-ups, answer questions about the content on the screen and perform multi-step actions inside apps. On recent Apple devices, you can even customize the expressiveness of the assistant's voice. There's also a dedicated Siri app that stores your history. Siri AI is available in the public beta for all Apple Intelligence-capable devices. In the early developer betas, there's been a waitlist to access the new assistant. So, some patience may be required. The new Siri only works in English for now, and it won't initially be available in the EU. Not all Apple Intelligence features are Siri-related. Photos now has more robust editing tools, including Spatial Reframing, which adjusts composition after the photo is taken. The Extend feature outcrops images past their original boundaries. There's also an improved Clean Up tool that's better at removing unwanted objects. And Image Playground can now generate higher-quality images, including photorealistic styles.
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Apple's iOS 27 public beta arrives with Siri AI, faster app launches, and more
Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. Looking ahead: Apple released the first public beta of iOS 27 this week. Set for full release this fall, iOS 27 aims to bring Siri closer to generative AI-based digital assistants such as Gemini and ChatGPT. The beta release also includes iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and tvOS 27, introducing numerous other features for iPads, Macs, and other Apple devices. Users can now preview this year's new Apple features, including AI enhancements for Siri, through the company's beta software program. However, due to RAM requirements, some AI features remain limited to the latest iPhone and iPad models. To sign up, visit Apple's beta website and log in using an account tied to the devices on which the OS will be installed. After accepting the Beta Software Program Agreement, open the Settings app on the target devices and navigate to General > Software Update. Apple recommends installing betas on non-critical devices after backing them up. The company also provides a Feedback Assistant app for reporting issues. To revert to the release OS, visit the company's unenroll page. A new version of Siri, branded Siri AI, is the standout feature. Using Apple Intelligence, the assistant can describe what it sees on screen, draft documents, search the web to answer questions, and locate locally stored media based on user descriptions. However, functions such as Expressive Voices and enhanced dictation require 12GB of RAM, limiting them to the iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, and iPad models with an M4 chip or later that carry at least 12GB of memory. The same 12GB threshold applies to Macs, and iCloud+ subscribers get higher daily usage limits on cloud-dependent AI features. Aside from AI, improved performance is one of the primary new features. iOS 27 supports every device that runs iOS 26, and older iPhones, such as the iPhone 11, will see improved task prioritization via a new CPU scheduler. Furthermore, on all supported models, apps will launch up to 30% faster, new photos will load up to 70% faster, and AirDrop transfers will be up to 80% faster. iOS 27 also overhauls parental controls. Child accounts, required for anyone under 13 and available up to age 18, now come with tools like Ask to Browse, which requires kids to request approval before visiting a new website, alongside a redesigned interface for monitoring screen time and purchases. Additionally, users who dislike the Liquid Glass design Apple introduced across its devices last year can now adjust its transparency with a new opacity slider to improve readability. Meanwhile, the macOS 27 beta, code-named Golden Gate, enhances ultrawide display support for resolutions up to 5K and refresh rates up to 120Hz. The macOS 27 beta is the first version of macOS to support only Apple Silicon models. It's compatible with MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models from 2020 or later, the 2021 iMac and newer, the 2020 Mac mini and newer, the 2022 Mac Studio and newer, the 2023 Mac Pro, and the new MacBook Neo. Supported iPadOS 27 beta models include the M4 iPad Pro and newer, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (4th-gen and later), the 11-inch iPad Pro (2nd-gen and later), the 13-inch and 11-inch iPad Air models powered by M2 chips or newer, the iPad Air (4th-gen and later), the A16-powered iPad, the standard iPad (9th-gen and later), and the iPad mini (6th-gen and later), including the A17 Pro model. The beta program also includes watchOS 27, tvOS 27, HomePod Software 27, and this year's upcoming AirPods firmware.
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iOS 27 public beta hands-on preview: The new Siri and Apple Intelligence features completely changed how I use my iPhone
After Apple's dramatic showing at WWDC 2026 last month, I've been getting cozy with all the new features thanks to the iOS 27 developer beta. Unless you've signed up for a developer account, the vast majority of people need to wait for the public release. Thankfully, the wait is over. The iOS 27 public beta has launched, and supported iPhones can finally experience the latest and greatest that Apple has to offer with its phone software. What's fascinating is that my colleagues and I felt iOS 26 left users feeling like Apple was trailing behind in the AI wars -- but iOS 27 is an absolute redemption arc. That's because it's taking a big leap, complementing the foundational features of the platform with AI features and tools that don't just make life easier; they fundamentally change how you interact with your iPhone on a daily basis. I'll tell you how I feel about these new changes and additions with my iOS 27 public beta hands-on. iOS 27 public beta hands-on preview: Supported iPhones Before you take a stab at trying some of the best iOS 27 features, you'll obviously need an iPhone that can support it. Apple has optimized the software structure so well that it runs smoothly even on older hardware, which is why official compatibility extends as far back as the iPhone 11. However, there's a small caveat regarding which models gain support for the most advanced Apple Intelligence features and Siri AI. Because these tools require significantly more processing power, only the last few generations of hardware will get access to them. Here is the full list of iPhones that support iOS 27, with the models in bold indicating they'll support the most advanced AI features: * iPhone 17 * iPhne 17e * iPhone Air * iPhone 17 Pro * iPhone 17 Pro Max * iPhone 16 * iPhone 16 Plus * iPhone 16 Pro * iPhone 16 Pro Max * iPhone 16e * iPhone 15 * iPhone 15 Plus * iPhone 15 Pro * iPhone 15 Pro Max * iPhone 14 * iPhone 14 Plus * iPhone 14 Pro * iPhone 14 Pro Max * iPhone 13 * iPhone 13 mini * iPhone 13 Pro * iPhone 13 Pro Max * iPhone 12 * iPhone 12 mini * iPhone 12 Pro * iPhone 12 Pro Max * iPhone 11 * iPhone 11 Pro * iPhone 11 Pro Max * iPhone SE (both 2020 and 2022 models) iOS 27 public beta hands-on preview: a much smarter, more reliable assistant I've been running the iOS 27 developer 3 beta for a while now, and nothing continues to stand out more than Siri AI. Apple's assistant finally gets its most substantial upgrade since its inception, acquiring new on-screen contextual awareness that makes this assistant feel far more capable than before. What's really notable is the proactive, dynamic approach that Siri AI takes when you're using your phone. For example, if you're reading an email or texting back and forth in Messages, Siri AI will scan the screen and provide a contextual suggestion -- like offering a one-tap option to create a Calendar invite based on a discussed time and place. When it comes to productivity, I love using Siri AI to handle trivial, repetitive tasks. In the past, it was a total time suck to manually copy and paste text or pull hashtags from an Instagram post, but now I can simply tell Siri AI to grab them for me. It knows exactly what I'm looking at on screen and understands the intent behind my request, saving me from tedious tapping and typing. Additionally, a dedicated Siri app now aggregates all of your previous requests in one place. It organizes your history much like the Gemini app, letting you easily search through past queries and jump right back in to follow up on them. But as much as Siri AI makes life easier, it still has some catching up to do. Most of its deepest functionality is currently locked down to Apple's native apps. It still lacks the robust third-party app integration that would allow it to execute complex, multi-step real-world tasks -- like letting me place an order for Dunkin' Donuts via the DoorDash app. iOS 27 public beta hands-on preview: Speed Boost On the surface, Liquid Glass still makes iOS 27 look visually appealing with its sense of depth, transparency, and layered layout. While I'm happy to see that Apple is letting users tune the intensity of the transparency effects, I'm far more impressed by how much more responsive iOS 27 feels. You can't fully appreciate the fluidity of iOS 27 until you see it side-by-side with iOS 26. Running two iPhone 17 models side-by-side -- one with the iOS 27 beta and the other with iOS 26 -- immediately reveals how much smoother the system animations are and how much faster apps launch. As you can see from the data comparison chart above, the speed improvements when launching apps from the home screen are undeniable. iOS 27 public beta hands-on preview: Reframe and Photo Clean Up I'm big on generative AI and how its features can enhance my photos. Fortunately, iOS 27 brings some much-needed Apple Intelligence upgrades to the table, and I for one am thoroughly impressed by what they can do. The standout feature you need to know about is Reframe. I've used it countless times already to shift the perspective of photos I've captured -- and they don't even need to have been shot on an iPhone. For instance, I used it to adjust the angle of a BMW 7 Series photo to show more of its side profile than the original shot did. Honestly, it's unlike any other AI photo tool I've come across on a smartphone. Then there is the vastly improved Photo Clean Up tool. While it was fine for basic object removal when it first launched, it was nowhere near as capable as Google's or Samsung's equivalents. This update changes that by better analyzing the scene to deliver far more realistic, practical results. Just take a look at the photo of Panos Panay above because I was able to easily erase the background crowd, relying on Apple Intelligence to seamlessly fill in the rest of his jacket that was covered up. iOS 27 public beta hands-on preview: Custom passes This one is long overdue. I've spent years relying on third-party apps just to keep track of my cards, so if you carry plastic loyalty tags on your keychain or stuff your gym membership into your wallet, you'll be just as ecstatic as I am about this change. With iOS 27, you can finally create your own custom passes directly in the Wallet app. The software now allows you to digitize those physical cards so you can simply show them on your iPhone. In the past, you were out of luck unless a company explicitly built native Apple Wallet support into their own app. iOS 27 completely squashes that requirement, letting you scan and digitize even the most obscure local passes. iOS 27 public beta hands-on preview: Finally, a helpful co-pilot If you're like me, you probably rarely interacted with Siri while driving in the past because it could only handle basic commands -- and nothing complex like jotting down structured notes. Now that Siri AI is accessible through CarPlay, it completely transforms the hands-free driving experience. First and foremost, Siri is finally way more conversational, shedding its robotic roots for natural inflections and tonal shifts that make it sound genuinely human. However, the real magic is how Siri AI now maintains context. For instance, when I dictated some initial thoughts about a car I was testing, I was able to summon Siri a few minutes later and say, "Go back to that note and add this detail." It was smart enough to locate the exact note, update it, and even organize the text into a clean layout with a title and a bulleted list that was ready to view on my iPhone once I parked. While it still needs deeper real-world search capabilities -- like the ability to pull live, real-time traffic conditions on the fly -- this is still a massive leap forward and way more helpful than previous incarnations of CarPlay. iOS 27 public beta hands-on preview: Safari, Wallet, and Shortcuts There are far more iOS 27 features to go through, but here are a few of the ones I've leaned on heavily during my time with the beta. First, Safari now uses on-device intelligence to automatically organize tabs, instantly grouping similar open pages into neat, thematic folders. It completely removes the headache of hunting down a stray article you opened days ago. Another helpful feature I've come to appreciate is the new bill-splitting function in the Wallet app. I can snap a photo of a receipt directly inside Wallet -- or pull up one I've taken previously in the Photos app -- and the software dynamically parses the text. From there, I can easily assign specific items to different people or simply split the total right down the middle. Finally, I rarely had the desire to use the Shortcuts app in the past because creating personalized automations felt incredibly overwhelming. Luckily, iOS 27 removes that complication with a big assist from Apple Intelligence. Now, I can just type what I want to achieve in plain English, and the system automatically builds the correct architecture for me. It transforms Shortcuts from a niche tool for power users into an accessible, everyday time-saver. iOS 27 public beta hands-on preview: Outlook The iOS 27 public beta proves that Apple is no longer just playing catch-up when it comes to AI -- it's actively shaping it with features that transform how I use my iPhone daily. While the new Apple Intelligence tools and Siri AI are leading the charge, the under-the-hood performance optimizations and a highly customizable Liquid Glass interface make iOS 27 stand out as one of the most comprehensive and satisfying iPhone updates in years. Time will only make this software better. With the final release slated for later this fall, iOS 27 is shaping up to be an elevated experience that will save you more time than ever before. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Subscribe to Tom's Guide on YouTube and follow Tom's Guide Entertainment on TikTok and Instagram.
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iOS 27 beta 3 just landed -- Siri Expressive Voices, Live Recognition, Apple Intelligence at Home and more
Here are all the newest features coming with the third iOS 27 beta update It's been just shy of a month since the first iOS 27 developer beta was released, and we're already on the third version of the software. It seems Apple is blasting out updates, fixing issues with the software and unlocking those new capabilities that weren't quite ready for release. Considering iOS 27 beta 2 was only released two weeks ago, the third beta update doesn't come with enormous changes. But those of you that have access to the developer beta will still notice some things have changed, and formerly-locked off Siri AI features are now readily available. Here's what's changed in iOS 27 beta 3 iOS 27 developer beta 3: Siri Expressive Voices The main change in iOS 27 beta 3 is that Apple has finally unlocked Siri's expressive voice feature on compatible iPhones. Those of you with an iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max, which all have 12GB of RAM, will be able to customize and alter the tone and emotional range of Siri AI's voice. Previously this was all grayed out in Siri's settings, and the only option available was Siri's gender. Now, though, you can make your AI assistant more attuned to you, rather than offering one of the same flat, pre-set voices as everywhere else. However the update between beta 2 and 3 means Siri needs to be redownloaded, which resets the AI to its default settings. Please bear that in mind before you update. Apple Intelligence in Home Apple Intelligence in Home is also available with this new update, but what the iOS 27 beta 3 release notes don't tell you is that these features all require a 2TB iCloud+ plan -- which costs $10 a month. Previously this was the tier that unlocked unlimited HomeKit Secure Video cameras, so it makes sense that the new AI features would be locked down behind the same paywall. The accessibility settings now feature a "Live Recognition" section, for managing how this particular feature works. Recognition uses on-device AI to detect and describe things with the camera app, letting you ask questions about what it can see. That's a fantastic feature for those with vision impairments, and this menu lets you adjust how this works -- including an option that lets you ask questions via speech or text. Shortcuts and AirPods Transparency The Shortcuts app, which added the ability to describe what function you wanted to set up in iOS 27 beta 1, now has the option to choose whether you want to do that or if you'd rather set the whole thing up manually. If you own AirPods, there's a helpful new features in iOS 27 beta 3. The Adaptive menu in the AirPods app features a slider that lets you customize how much transparency you get vs noise cancelation. Actually helpful pop-ups A few informative pop-ups have been added to beta 3, for those of you that aren't diving through the release notes to see what's changed. Apple Maps now tells you that route preferences have moved, and points you to their new home. Apple Intelligence also warns you when you're about to send data to Google's cloud servers, in case you're the kind of person that wants to keep all their AI processing firmly on device. Other smaller features include a redesigned low-battery indicator, a subtly different wallpaper animation, an updated Reminders icon with Liquid Glass to-do list bullets, and the ability to see cellular network details in the Control Center without disconnecting from Wi-Fi first. Naturally, the update also comes with a bunch of smaller bug fixes as well. Keep it locked to Tom's Guide for all the latest iOS 27 news and tips. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Subscribe to Tom's Guide on YouTube and follow us on TikTok. Finally, you can visit our dedicated Tom's Guide Savings Squad hub for expert help on getting the best products for less.
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Here's What's New With iOS 27 Beta 3
You can also use Siri AI on watchOS 27, and Siri is showing the first signs of pulling data from third-party apps. Apple is actively beta testing iOS 27, trialing new features like Siri AI, new AI image editing features, and upgraded parental controls. Developers and testers can get an early look at these features and more by installing the beta on their devices. And while this beta looks a lot like the iOS 27 Apple advertised at WWDC, it changes massively with each subsequent update. Case in point, Apple dropped the third beta for iOS 27, introducing a number of new features and changes for the OS. Here's what's new: You can now customize Siri's voice in iOS 27 There's a lot new with Siri this year. Apple finally overhauled the assistant with Apple Intelligence, which promises to be much more useful than the Siri of old. Among those changes, however, was something particularly useful for those of us who love customizing our devices: Apple now lets you customize Siri's voice. This wasn't available with the first two betas, but now, beta testers can give it a try -- assuming they have a supported iPhone. Even though Siri AI is available on iPhone 15 Pro and newer, this customization feature only works with iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. If you have one of these devices, and you're running the third iOS 27 beta, you'll now be able to adjust both the assistant's pace and "expressivity." Siri AI arrives on watchOS 27 If you're running the watchOS 27 beta, good news: Apple finally added Siri AI support as part of this third beta round. That includes the new Siri app, so you can pick up conversations from your other devices on your watch. Again, this all assumes you have a compatible Apple Watch: Apple cut support for all Apple Watches older than the Series 9 -- including the first-gen Ultra and the second-gen SE. You should also exercise caution before installing watchOS betas: Unlike iOS betas, which you can downgrade from (even if there's some pain), Apple does not let you uninstall a watchOS beta. That means if you run into issues or otherwise regret your adventure, you'll need to ride out the wave until Apple releases watchOS 27 in full. Siri AI can now pull from third-party apps As 9to5Mac highlights, Siri AI can now tap into third-party apps on your iPhone to return results. At the moment, testers have only found one function that works here: pulling battery information from electric car apps. But it's a real development and a small demonstration of how Siri AI could be a capable assistant on iOS. This was something writer Khamosh Pathak was missing when testing out Siri AI on the second iOS 27 beta. While Siri AI seems great at pulling information from your Apple apps, it hasn't thus far been able to tap into your non-Apple apps. Hopefully the list of available functions and apps continues to grow so Siri AI can be even more useful. You can control your AirPods' Adaptive mode Apple's "Adaptive" mode blends Active Noise Cancellation with its Transparency mode. It "adapts" to changes in your environment, pumping in sound when things are quiet and blocking sounds as it gets too noisy. In my experience, it works well, especially when you want to be able to hear what's going on around you without letting particularly loud sounds hurt your ears. But it's not easy to customize: You traditionally need to dive through the settings to find Adaptive mode's controls if you'd prefer it to be more or less sensitive to noise. iOS 27 beta 3 changes that. Now, as part of iOS 27's improved AirPods settings menu, you can simply control Adaptive mode through a volume slider. It's far more intuitive and present than before, and hopefully makes it to iOS 27's official release. Apple added a new Lock Screen animation to iOS 27 When you update to iOS 27 beta 3, you'll notice something new when swiping down to your Lock Screen: The subject of your wallpaper will slowly appear before the full wallpaper pops into view. I'm not 100% sure this is something Apple intended to appear in beta 3, but if it is, it is a bold choice. iOS 27 now warns you before you send data to Google's servers Apple isn't operating its new AI features alone. In addition to tapping into ChatGPT for some services, the company is also utilizing Google servers for certain AI processes. With the third iOS 27 beta, you'll now receive a pop-up before your iPhone sends your data to Google. You can either choose to send the data one time, allow iOS to send your data whenever it needs to, or block access entirely. Apple is adamant that any data sent to Google servers still maintains the same Private Cloud Compute protections as the data that runs through its own servers.
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Apple rolls out iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate and watchOS 27 public betas
Apple has released the first public betas of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, and watchOS 27, giving users early access to the software updates announced at WWDC 2026 ahead of their stable release later this fall. Siri AI and Apple Intelligence The new Siri AI supports natural conversations, follow-up questions, on-screen awareness, and multi-step actions across apps. Users on Apple Intelligence-compatible devices can also customize Siri's voice expressiveness, while a dedicated Siri app stores conversation history. Siri AI is currently available in English on Apple Intelligence-compatible devices and is not initially available in the European Union. Apple Intelligence also expands to other apps. The Photos app introduces: * Spatial Reframing to adjust image composition after capture * Extend to expand image boundaries * An improved Clean Up tool for removing unwanted objects * Enhanced image generation in Image Playground, including photorealistic styles Performance improvements and new features Apple says iOS 27 delivers performance improvements across the system, including: * Apps launching up to 30% faster * Newly captured photos appearing in the Photos app up to 70% faster * AirDrop transfers up to 80% faster Safari can automatically organize tabs into groups and includes a new Notify Me feature that tracks price changes and product restocks on supported webpages. The Passwords app can detect weak passwords and automatically update them, while the Shortcuts app lets users create automations using natural language. Apple has also refined the Liquid Glass interface with improved readability and added a slider to adjust the visual effect. Users running the iOS 27 public beta can also install the latest AirPods beta firmware, which adds a custom equalizer, an adaptive audio slider, and a redesigned settings menu. watchOS 27 watchOS 27 brings Siri AI to the Apple Watch, allowing users to ask questions and complete tasks while on the move. The update also introduces a Dynamic App Grid, a new single-tap gesture for interacting with Smart Stack widgets while the existing double-tap gesture remains available for scrolling, and menopause and perimenopause support in the menstrual health features. Workout Buddy gains additional workout insights, support for use without a nearby iPhone, and Spanish language support. macOS 27 Golden Gate macOS 27 Golden Gate integrates Siri AI into Spotlight for writing assistance, on-screen analysis, and productivity tasks. The update also includes design refinements such as uniform toolbars, edge-to-edge sidebars, refined window shapes, and updated menu bar icons. iPadOS 27 iPadOS 27 includes all of the features introduced in iOS 27. Visual Intelligence can analyze content in screenshots and also works with Apple Pencil, allowing users to circle on-screen content to learn more about it. Apple also says file transfers between iPads and external SSDs are now up to five times faster. How to install the public beta Users can enroll in Apple's Beta Software Program and download the public beta by going to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates, then selecting the appropriate 27 Public Beta for their device. As these are pre-release builds, users may encounter bugs, performance issues, or increased battery drain. Users who prefer a more stable experience can wait for a later public beta or the final release later this year.
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Apple iOS 27 public beta is here with Siri AI: Features, how to download and supported devices
iOS 27 public beta is available for the iPhone 11 series and newer models. Apple has finally released the iOS 27 public beta, allowing users to try the next major software update before its launch later this year. The company has also opened public beta testing for iPadOS 27, macOS 27 and other platforms. The biggest highlight of iOS 27 is the new Siri AI experience. The public beta is for users who want to test new features early. However, beta versions can have bugs and may affect battery life or app performance. Therefore, users should back up their iPhone before installing the update. Here is everything you need to know about the iOS 27 public beta, including its key features, how to install it, and the supported devices. Apple iOS 27 public beta: Key features Siri AI is the biggest feature of iOS 27. Apple has revamped the assistant using its Apple Intelligence technology. Siri can now continue conversations and understand follow-up questions without users repeating the context. It can also search for information in Mail, Messages, Notes, Reminders and Calendar. Siri can even understand content shown on the screen and perform actions inside apps. The Camera app also gets Visual Intelligence features. Also read: Apple vs OpenAI trade secret theft lawsuit: Full story in 5 points Safari can automatically group tabs by topic and organise bookmarks. A Notify Me feature can track changes on a webpage. Photos gets improved Clean Up tools, along with Extend and Spatial Reframing features for editing images. Apple has also refined the Liquid Glass design. A new slider under Settings > Appearance lets users change how clear or tinted the interface looks. The company is also promising better performance. Apps can open faster, while AirDrop and Photos may also feel quicker. Also read: Satya Nadella flags hidden risk of using AI, says you pay for intelligence twice Apple iOS 27 public beta: How to install To install the iOS 27 public beta, visit the Apple Beta Software Program website and sign in using the Apple Account linked to your iPhone. Next, open Settings and go to General > Software Update > Beta Updates. Then, tap iOS 27 Public Beta. Now, return to the Software Update page and tap Update Now. It is advised to create a backup before installing the beta as it may contain bugs. Apple iOS 27 public beta: Supported devices iOS 27 public beta is available for the iPhone 11 series and newer models. Supported devices include the iPhone 17 series, iPhone 16 series, iPhone 15 series, iPhone 14 series, iPhone 13 series, iPhone 12 series, iPhone 11 series and the iPhone SE (2nd generation and newer). It's important to note that some Apple Intelligence features will only work on newer iPhone models with compatible hardware.
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Apple released the iOS 27 public beta on July 13, bringing AI-powered enhancements to Siri and deeper Apple Intelligence integration. The update transforms Siri into a modern AI assistant with contextual awareness, while delivering performance improvements including 30% faster app launches and 70% quicker photo loading across supported devices dating back to the iPhone 11.
Apple officially launched the iOS 27 public beta on July 13, offering early adopters their first hands-on experience with the company's most significant software update in years
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. Originally unveiled at WWDC 2026, iOS 27 introduces new Siri and Apple Intelligence features that fundamentally change how users interact with their devices4
. The public beta arrives a few weeks after the developer beta rolled out at WWDC, with the stable version expected this fall alongside new iPhones1
.
Source: Tom's Guide
Users can access the beta through Apple's Beta Software Program by visiting beta.apple.com and signing in with their Apple Account
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. After enrollment, the update appears under Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates. Apple recommends installing betas on non-critical devices after backing them up, as beta software typically includes bugs and can drain battery life faster than stable releases3
.The standout feature in iOS 27 is Siri AI, which represents the most substantial upgrade to Apple's virtual assistant since its inception
4
. The AI-driven Siri transforms from a basic voice-command system into a sophisticated assistant that can hold natural conversations, understand follow-ups, answer questions about content on the screen, and perform multi-step actions inside apps2
.Using Apple Intelligence, the assistant can describe what it sees on screen, draft documents, search the web to answer questions, and locate locally stored media based on user descriptions
3
. This contextual awareness enables proactive suggestions, such as offering a one-tap option to create a Calendar invite based on a discussed time and place in an email or text message4
. A dedicated Siri app now aggregates all previous requests in one place, organizing history much like the Gemini app4
.The iOS 27 beta 3 update unlocked Siri Expressive Voices, allowing users to customize the pace and emotional range of Siri AI's voice
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. However, functions such as Siri Expressive Voices and enhanced dictation require 12GB of RAM, limiting them to the iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, and iPad models with an M4 chip or later3
. The same 12GB threshold applies to Macs, and iCloud+ subscribers get higher daily usage limits on cloud-dependent AI features3
.While Siri AI makes life easier, it still has some catching up to do. Most of its deepest functionality is currently locked down to Apple's native apps, lacking the robust third-party app integration that would allow it to execute complex, multi-step real-world tasks
4
. The new Siri only works in English for now, and it won't initially be available in the EU2
.Not all Apple Intelligence features are Siri-related. Photos now has more robust editing tools, including Spatial Reframing, which adjusts composition after the photo is taken
2
. The Extend feature outcrops images past their original boundaries, while an improved Photo Clean Up tool is better at removing unwanted objects2
. Image Playground can now generate higher-quality images, including photorealistic styles2
.
Source: Tom's Guide
The accessibility settings now feature a Live Recognition section, which uses on-device AI to detect and describe things with the camera app, letting users ask questions about what it can see
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. This feature is particularly valuable for those with vision impairments5
.Related Stories
Improved performance is one of the primary new features in iOS 27. On all supported models, apps will launch up to 30% faster, new photos will load up to 70% faster, and AirDrop transfers will be up to 80% faster
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. iOS 27 supports every device that runs iOS 26, and older iPhones, such as the iPhone 11, will see improved task prioritization via a new CPU scheduler3
.The fluidity of iOS 27 is immediately noticeable when compared side-by-side with iOS 26, with smoother system animations and faster app launches
4
. Users who dislike the Liquid Glass design Apple introduced across its devices last year can now adjust its transparency with a new opacity slider to improve readability3
.Apple's list of compatible iPhones for iOS 27 goes all the way back to 2019's iPhone 11, though many features require Apple Intelligence, which only works on the iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, and up
1
. The public beta also includes iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and tvOS 27, introducing numerous other features for iPads, Macs, and other Apple devices3
.
Source: Engadget
The macOS 27 beta, code-named Golden Gate, enhances ultrawide display support for resolutions up to 5K and refresh rates up to 120Hz
3
. It's the first version of macOS to support only Apple Silicon models, compatible with MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models from 2020 or later3
.IOS 27 also overhauls parental controls. Child accounts, required for anyone under 13 and available up to age 18, now come with tools like Ask to Browse, which requires kids to request approval before visiting a new website, alongside a redesigned interface for monitoring screen time and purchases
3
. Other features include Write with Siri, an Insights feature in Apple Wallet, and updates to iPhone-to-Android RCS messaging1
.Summarized by
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