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While the news exit from Worldwide Developers Conference 2026 Not as dramatic as last year iOS 26 updateThis caused the redesign of the new liquid glass Big sensationApple’s presentation is still making waves.
during WWDC KeynoteApple previewed the new changes coming to the next version of its mobile operating systems, iOS 27 and iPadOS 27. These updates will be rolled out to iPhone and iPad later this year, most likely in September.
iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 focus heavily on stability improvements that enrich the ease of daily use of the operating systems. There are many smaller improvements in quality of life, but the most important ones are Siri AI upgrades. Here’s everything you need to know.
Is your iPhone or iPad compatible?
Apple sometimes removes a few older devices from the support list with each new release of iOS or iPadOS, due to the age of the devices. (Apple typically supports iPhones and iPads for six to seven years.) But there is good news this year. iPhones from 2019 and later – iPhone 11 and later, including iPhone SE (2nd generation) – will support iOS 27.
This means that any iPhone that got iOS 26 is still compatible with iOS 27. If you’re not sure which model your iPhone is, head over to Settings > General > About And look at the model name.
iPads are not that simple, as they have a unique naming structure. Apple has ditched the “generations” moniker and now uses the chipset to refer to the model. You can find out Which iPad model do you have by heading here. There are a few iPads that are now cut off from the iPadOS 27 update, including the 2020 eighth-generation iPad and the fifth-generation iPad Mini.
- iPad: 9th generation and later, including A16
- iPad mini: 6th generation and later, including A17 Pro
- iPad Air 11 inch: 4th generation and later, including M2, M3 and M4
- iPad Air 13 inch: M2 and beyond
- iPad Pro 11 inch: The second generation and beyond
- iPad Pro 12.9 inch: Fourth generation and beyond
- iPad Pro: M4 and beyond
Should I install the developer beta?
Anyone can install the iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 beta now. But that may not be a good idea, especially on a phone you use and rely on every day. Developer betas are known to be buggy and buggy, and sometimes encounter crippling issues that can render your phone inoperable. If you really want to try it, maybe use an old iPhone you have around.
If you want to try it no matter what, go for it Make a backup of your iPhone Before installing the update. Then head to Settings > General > Software update > Beta updates And choose iOS 27 beta for developers or iPadOS 27 developer beta. You should see an option to install it immediately. (Installation will take several minutes.)
A public beta is often more stable and may be a better time to try out the software. Usually available in July, the final version often comes out in mid-September.
Apple Intelligence only works on select iPhones
Remember that while older iPhones and iPads may receive the iOS 27 or iPadOS 27 update, that doesn’t mean all the new features will be available. Apple Intelligence is still only compatible with the iPhone 15 Pro and select newer iPad devices, which means many new AI features aren’t available on older devices.
The most important new features of iOS 27 and iPadOS 27
Here’s a breakdown of some of the biggest changes coming to iOS and iPadOS 27. The updates are largely the same across both operating systems.
Siri AI and the new Siri app
Courtesy of Apple
Siri is finally “A”. A more capable assistant“, or that’s the claim. Apple says this is largely due to its core 3G models, which were developed from the ground up with the help of Google’s Gemini models. However, Apple says it doesn’t use Google’s infrastructure, and that no user data from Siri actions is shared with Google.
Siri AI has a whole new look when you activate the Assistant. It now resembles a glass orb. You can type or talk naturally to Siri, and there’s even a dedicated app where you can revisit previous conversations, or pick up where you left off on a different device. Siri too Now in the Camera appgiving you a more direct way to start visual searching, just like Google Lens. You can also point the camera at a restaurant bill and Siri can split the tab.
The Assistant understands your personal context, so it can sift through your emails, messages, and photos to find relevant information based on your query. They can then take action on your behalf, whether that’s crafting an email with a certain tone, or getting wine recommendations for a specific dish. Siri’s voice is more expressive, but you can also customize the assistant’s voice and adjust its expression and speed.
Platform stability improvements
Courtesy of Apple
One of the most appreciated features will be Apple’s improvements in making iOS run faster. The company says app launches are up to 30 percent faster, newly captured photos load into your photo library up to 70 percent faster, and AirDrop transfers are up to 80 percent faster. The iPhone will also do a better job of switching between Wi-Fi and cellular, so hopefully you won’t have that awkward moment without service while waiting for your device to switch networks while you leave the house. Many of these upgrades will affect older iPhone models, like the iPhone 11, thanks to a better-optimized CPU scheduler.
Liquid glass improvements
Courtesy of Apple
Hate liquid glass? Love liquid glass? Well, you have a few options to make it suit your taste in iOS 27. Apple says it’s generally updated the design language to improve readability and contrast. For example, app icons have become clearer. But now you finally have a slider in the settings menu that lets you adjust the intensity of the liquid glass look, from super clear to opaque. You can customize this in Settings > Appearance > Liquid Glass.
Child safety features
Courtesy of Apple
Apple spent a lot of time at its WWDC keynote talking about the child safety features in iOS 27 and iPadOS 27. There’s a new Setup Assistant that parents can turn on when setting up an Apple device for a child for the first time, which includes choosing which system apps are available to the child and other essential apps. Request Browsing sees any new websites kids encounter in Safari sent to a parent for approval, and a feature called Contact Safety prevents kids from seeing nudity or violence in messaging apps or FaceTime; Those are blurred by default.
