Apple has officially released iOS 27, bringing a major update to the iPhone with new Apple Intelligence features, an upgraded Siri, changes to Photos and Camera, expanded child-safety tools and performance improvements.
The update became available on September 14, 2026, following Apple’s beta testing period. iOS 27 is compatible with iPhone 11 and newer models, as well as the second- and third-generation iPhone SE. However, some of the update’s newest artificial intelligence features require newer iPhone models.
One of the main additions in iOS 27 is Siri AI, which Apple describes as a more capable and conversational version of its voice assistant.
Siri AI can understand personal context, recognize information displayed on the screen and perform actions across supported apps. Users can ask Siri to find information such as a specific photo, email or saved note and can ask it to perform tasks such as drafting an email or editing photos.
Apple has also introduced a dedicated Siri app where conversations can be revisited or continued. Siri AI is initially rolling out as a beta in English, with French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish scheduled to follow in October.
iOS 27 also brings Siri mode to the Camera app through Visual Intelligence. Users can point their iPhone camera at something and ask questions, search for information or take certain actions based on what appears in the camera frame.
Apple gives examples including identifying information and taking actions such as splitting a bill or importing information from a card into Apple Wallet.
The Photos app receives several Apple Intelligence-powered editing features. Spatial Reframing allows users to adjust the composition of a photo after taking it, while the Extend tool can expand the image beyond its original edges.
The Clean Up tool has also been upgraded to remove distracting objects from photographs with greater precision. Users can additionally save individual video frames as photos.
Apple has added a slider that allows users to adjust the appearance of its Liquid Glass interface, ranging from a clearer appearance to a more tinted look.
The update also introduces larger Home Screen widgets, new Camera controls and Safari features. Safari can automatically organize tabs by topic, while its new “Notify Me” feature can alert users when information on a webpage changes, such as a price or product availability.
FaceTime gains Dual Capture, allowing users to share views from both the front and rear cameras during a call. Apple has also added translated captions for FaceTime calls when participants speak different languages.
iOS 27 includes additional tools for parents and guardians. Setup Assistant can help determine which apps children can access, while “Ask to Browse” allows parents to approve websites requested by children.
Communication Safety has also been expanded to help protect children from viewing or sharing images and videos containing detected nudity or gore.
Apple says iOS 27 also improves overall system performance. According to the company, apps can launch up to 30% faster, photos can load up to 70% faster after being taken and AirDrop transfers can be up to 80% faster on iPhone and iPad. These figures are based on Apple’s testing.
iOS 27 supports models beginning with the iPhone 11, along with the iPhone SE (2nd generation) and newer supported models. However, Apple Intelligence features require an Apple Intelligence-compatible device, including the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max or iPhone 16 models and later.
Apple notes that feature availability can vary depending on the iPhone model, language, region and carrier. Siri AI also has regional restrictions, including its initial unavailability on iOS in the European Union and in China while regulatory requirements are addressed.
iPhone users with compatible devices can install iOS 27 through Settings > General > Software Update.
