Here's how you can try Apple's new iOS 27 before the full release – and get to grips with some of the new features
Get the Public Beta of iOS 27 on your iPhone today to try out the latest features ahead of the September release
Quick Summary
Apple's iOS 27 beta is now available for public use.
The early beta offers users the first real chance to try out many of the new features coming to iPhone models this September.
If you can't wait for the new features coming when the iPhone 18 models launch this September, there's good news. You don't have to wait any longer!
Apple has just released its first Public Beta of iOS 27 and if you have an iPhone 11 or newer, you can download it now. Public Betas are available without the usual restrictions of the developer Betas, and can be downloaded from the same menu as regular OS updates.
To try it for yourself, simply go to Settings > General > Software Update, and select the Beta updates option. Once this is selected, you will be able to download the public beta. It is recommended to back up your phone before doing this, and note that not all apps will work correctly at first. So if you need access to certain apps, especially for medical use, it's best not to download a beta.
AI Assistant
The biggest change for iOS 27 is the new Siri AI assistant. This is powered by Apple Intelligence but has been built with Google Gemini, so is expected to offer a similar amount of power to the Google system, while remaining safely within the Apple ecosystem.
Siri AI is designed to better answer your queries with a more conversational approach, understand personal context, control features and commands in apps and access a wider pool of topics on whatever comes to mind.
There's now also a dedicated Siri app, where you can review previously asked questions and pick up the thread again, or keep for reference. you can also adjust how Siri sounds more comprehensively, including pitch, speed, tone and accent.
It's not clear at the moment how much of the Siri assistant will be available on the first Public Beta but later updates are certain to make this more accessible.
More iOS 27 features
In addition to the Siri AI, iOS 27 introduces new photo editing features, allowing you to reframe your shots after taking them, including using the Extend feature, using AI to expand beyond what you actually have taken. The clean up mode has also been enhanced to provide a more accurate object removal process.
Image Playground now goes beyond creating fun versions of your portraits. You can create high quality images of just about anything you can describe in a range of photo styles, including photo realistic options.
Beyond Siri, the new OS can provide suggestions in the form of quick actions from messages and mail, to do things like add to reminders, create a calendar event or search for a photo. The Call context can also provide relevant information such as confirmation codes and booking references from your email while on a call.
There's also stronger child safety features for parents to keep kids safe, with restrictions on time allowances and schedules, and easy adjustments on the go.
The design has also had a refresh, with updates to the look of Liquid Glass , and the system is designed to work faster, with up to 30% faster app launches, 70% faster photo loading and 80% faster AirDrop transfers.
Compatible devices
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
- iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone Air
- iPhone 17
- iPhone 17e
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11
- iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)
