iOS 27: New features, release date, and more

It’s less than three months until iOS 27 debuts at WWDC, and rumors await for a clearer picture of what to expect.

The update will reportedly bring a focus on stability improvements and bug fixes, with major new Apple Intelligence features sprinkled in. Here’s everything we know so far about iOS 27’s new features, update release date, and more.

When will Apple announce and release iOS 27?

Apple will announce iOS 27 at WWDC in June. Apple usually holds its Worldwide Developers Conference in the first or second week of June. The update will be announced during the event and then released to developer beta testing.

Here’s where Apple has held WWDC for the past five years:

• 2021: June 7-11
• 2022: June 6-10
• 2023: June 5-9
• 2024: June 10-14
• 2025: June 9-13

The public beta of iOS 27 will then be released in July 2026, allowing iPhone users to try new features and provide feedback to Apple.

If all goes according to plan, iOS 27 will be released to the general public in September. Here are the release dates for major iOS updates over the past five years:

• iOS 26: Monday, September 15, 2025
• iOS 18: Monday, September 16, 2024
• iOS 17: Monday, September 18, 2023
• iOS 16: Monday, September 12, 2022

New features in iOS 27

Focusing on stability and bug fixes

Bloomberg reports that Apple’s main focus with iOS 27 will be on “quality and basic functionality.” This comes after several years of major iOS updates, including the introduction of Apple Intelligence in iOS 18 and the stunning Liquid Glass redesign in iOS 26.

Mark Gurman says Apple engineers “use Apple apps” looking for bloat to reduce and fix bugs, as well as “any opportunity to significantly improve performance and overall quality.”

The idea is to roll back after the last few major iOS updates and lay the groundwork for a new wave of major updates going forward. Think of it as a kind of reset.

New folding features

One feature of iOS 27 will be improving the software platform for Apple’s first foldable iPhone, which is scheduled to launch in September 2026. The foldable iPhone is set to have a 7.8-inch internal display and a 5.5-inch external display. Apple will need to make changes to iOS 27 to accommodate that new form factor, and add new features to take advantage of the larger screen.

Bloomberg he says Apple will “prioritize software features designed specifically for this new device.”

Especially, the most recent Bloomberg The report suggests that Apple plans to add new window features in iOS 27 for the iPhone Fold. The device is said to allow you to run two apps side by side, something that cannot currently be done on the iPhone.

Apple is reportedly making new iOS app layouts for its apps to accommodate the iPhone Fold’s larger internal display. Third-party developers will also be able to use these properties in their applications.

Apple Intelligence

Finally, as has become the tradition, iOS 27 will include new Apple Intelligence features.

AI web search platform

Second, Apple is continuing its work on an AI-powered web search platform that will ship as part of iOS 27. Internally, this platform is called Apple’s World Knowledge Answers platform. This will be a new platform designed to compete with AI search features from companies like Perplexity.

Additional Gemini-powered features

Apple recently finalized its deal with Google to use Gemini models to power new Siri and Apple Intelligence features. According to a report from InformationApple will use Gemini models to enable several iOS 27 features.

• Siri’s ability to remember past conversations
• Functional features that “may suggest that they leave home to avoid traveling before taking the airport listed in their Apple calendar.”

The new Siri interface

Bloomberg it also reported on Apple’s plans to release a new visual design for Siri that has “visual personality to make it seem more lifelike.” The move is described as “a bit reminiscent of Clippy.”

According to the report, Apple tested a design for Siri that looks like an animated version of the Finder logo. Apple also considered designs similar to Memojis.

Is Liquid Glass Changing?

Bloomberg reports that there is no evidence iOS 27 will introduce major changes to the Liquid Glass interface. Apple may, however, add a slider that gives users more control over the design.

Mark Gurman says that Apple started working on this Liquid Glass slide during the iOS 26 cycle, but encountered engineering challenges. The slider reportedly allows users to “fine-tune the level of the glass effect.” Whether Apple successfully overcomes those challenges in iOS 27 remains to be seen, but it’s something that works.

Updating the calendar

Although details are few, Bloomberg reported that Apple is working on a major change to the Calendar app:

Apple is working on an updated Calendar app to be released on its platforms. It originally planned to launch the software [in 2026]but it has been delayed and is now planned for the next set of apps…iOS 27 and macOS 27

More iOS 27 rumors

Macworld has found clues to several iOS 27 features based on a leaked build of Apple’s software last summer.

• New pairing system for AirPods
• “Enhanced Collections” within Photos

There are no other details about these two features. They may also be completely discarded.

Finish it

Of course, the important thing to remember is that we have six months left for Apple to officially announce iOS 27. There is plenty of time for things to change, and Apple may drop some of these features or add new ones. We will keep this story updated as the rumors continue.

I doubt if Apple will really be able to focus on hitting bugs and improving stability in iOS 27 while at the same time continuing work on Apple Intelligence and developing an update for the biggest change ever to the iPhone form factor. If it can pull that off, I’ll be very impressed.

What’s on your iOS 27 wishlist? Are there any new features you want Apple to add? Let us know down in the comments.

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