When is iOS 27 coming out?

iOS 27 will launch in September 2026, likely on the Tuesday or Wednesday of the week following Apple's annual iPhone event. The developer beta is available now (since June 2026), the public beta opens in July 2026, and the final release ships alongside the iPhone 18 in late September.

When is the iOS 27 release date?

Apple has released the final version of iOS in mid-to-late September every year since 2014. The expected release date for iOS 27 is:

• iOS 27 GM (Golden Master): September 15-16, 2026 (Tuesday or Wednesday after the iPhone event)
• iOS 27 public release: September 22-23, 2026 (one week after the GM)

The exact date depends on when Apple holds its fall 2026 iPhone event. Historically, Apple has held the iPhone event in the second or third week of September, with the new iPhone going on sale the Friday of the following week. The iOS release typically lands the same Friday.

What is the iOS 27 beta schedule?

The iOS 27 beta schedule follows Apple's standard pattern:

• June 2026 (WWDC): iOS 27 announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference keynote on June 8, 2026. Developer beta 1 available immediately.
• June-July 2026: Developer betas 2-4 ship every 2 weeks.
• July 2026: Public beta 1 opens. Public betas ship every 2-3 weeks through August.
• August-September 2026: Developer beta 7-9 (release candidates) and the final GM.
• September 2026: iOS 27 public release.

Public beta testers should expect rough edges — battery drain, app crashes, and missing features. Apple typically marks the public beta as "beta quality" and recommends installing on a secondary device, not a primary phone.

Which iPhones will get iOS 27?

iOS 27 supports all iPhones that run iOS 26. The full compatibility list:

• iPhone 18, 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, 18e, Air 2, Fold (new in 2026)
• iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, 17e, Air (2025)
• iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 16e (2024)
• iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max (2023)
• iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max (2022)
• iPhone SE (3rd generation) (2022)
• iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max (2021)

The iPhone 12, iPhone 11, iPhone XR, and iPhone XS lines are dropped with iOS 27. These phones will not get the update and will stop receiving security patches by late 2027.

What are the new features in iOS 27?

iOS 27 includes at least these new features (some require iPhone 15 Pro or later, some require A20 or later):

• Siri 2.0: A full rewrite of Siri with on-device LLM capabilities. Requires A20 or A20 Pro.
• Proactive Intelligence 2.0: Background AI that anticipates needs based on context. Requires A20 or later.
• Live Translation 2.0: Real-time translation of phone calls, FaceTime calls, and conversations. Requires A20 or later.
• Visual Intelligence 2.0: Improved object recognition, live text in video, and AI-powered search. Requires A17 Pro or later.
• Redesigned Camera app: New mode dial, AI-powered scene detection, and ProRes 2 codec support.
• Standby Mode 2.0: Customizable widgets, third-party integrations, and Always-On support for non-Pro iPhones.
• Messages upgrades: RCS support for all carriers, AI-suggested replies, and cross-platform emoji reactions.
• Mail 2.0: AI categorization, smart folders, and scheduled send.
• Privacy and security: Improved App Tracking Transparency, on-device passkey management, and post-quantum encryption for iMessage.

Apple has also redesigned the Lock Screen, Control Center, and Settings app for iOS 27. The visual changes are subtle — flatter, more typography-driven, with more dynamic color theming based on the wallpaper.

Will my iPhone get all iOS 27 features?

No. iOS 27 features are tiered by hardware capability:

• A20 / A20 Pro (iPhone 18, Pro, Pro Max, Air 2, Fold): All features
• A19 / A19 Pro (iPhone 17, 17 Pro, Air): All features except Proactive Intelligence 2.0
• A18 / A18 Pro (iPhone 16, 16 Pro): Most features, including Siri 2.0 with reduced speed
• A17 Pro (iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max): Visual Intelligence 2.0 and most AI features; no Siri 2.0
• A16 (iPhone 15, 15 Plus): Visual Intelligence 2.0 in limited form; no on-device AI features
• A15 and earlier: Mostly bug fixes and security patches; no new AI features

Should I install the iOS 27 beta?

If you are not a developer or power user, no. The public beta is more stable than the developer beta, but it is still beta software. Wait for the final release in September unless you have a secondary device to test on.

Will the iPhone 18 ship with iOS 27?

Yes. The iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone 18e, iPhone Air 2, and iPhone Fold will all ship with iOS 27 pre-installed. The setup process will offer to transfer data from your old iPhone over Wi-Fi, over cable, or via iCloud. The transfer typically takes 30-90 minutes for a full restore.

Bottom line: iOS 27 launches in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18. The developer beta is available now, the public beta opens in July, and the final release ships in late September. Every iPhone 14 or newer will get the update, with the most demanding AI features gated to A20-class chips in the iPhone 18 lineup.

Will iOS 27 work on my iPad?

Yes, with the same compatibility list as the iPhone. iPadOS 27 (the iPad-specific variant of iOS 27) will support all iPads that ran iPadOS 26: every iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini from 2019 or later, plus the iPad (8th generation) and later. The most demanding AI features (Siri 2.0, Proactive Intelligence 2.0) require the M1 chip or later on the iPad, which means iPad Pro (5th generation, 2021) and iPad Air (5th generation, 2022) or later. Older iPads get the visual redesign and bug fixes, but not the AI features.

Should I update my apps before iOS 27?

Yes, in the weeks before the iOS 27 release, update all your apps to their latest versions. Most major apps (Instagram, TikTok, Spotify, banking apps, etc.) release iOS 27 compatibility updates in the 2-3 weeks before launch. Updating early avoids first-day crashes and feature gaps. You can also enable automatic app updates in Settings > App Store to ensure your apps stay current.