It’s just two days until the iOS 27 announcement at WWDC, and rumors are waiting for a clear 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 2026 on June 8. The update will be announced during a keynote at 10 am PT/1 pm ET, and then released to developer beta testing.
A public beta of iOS 27 will then be released in July, 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
iOS 27 compatibility
iOS 27 will reportedly drop support for these iPhone models:
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11
- iPhone SE (second generation)
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. Apple hopes the update will improve iPhone battery life for users.
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
AI web search platform
Apple is continuing its work on an AI-powered web search platform that could ship as part of iOS 27. 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.”
A standalone app for Siri
In accordance with Bloomberg, iOS 27 will feature a standalone Siri chatbot app that will look similar to apps like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. The app will allow you to interact with Apple’s chatbot (powered by the Gemini model from Google) with a chat grid, the ability to upload files and images, auto-delete chats, and more.
The new Siri interface
Apple has reportedly completely redesigned Siri as part of iOS 27. It will now reside inside the Dynamic Island with a design similar to the WWDC invitation artwork, seen above. Bloomberg report:
Apple has redesigned Siri for modern iPhone platforms, bringing it to life inside Dynamic Island, an on-screen feature the company is launching in 2022. When the user says “Siri” or holds the power button, the assistant opens in Dynamic Island with a new animation that replaces the glowing interface that currently sits on the edges of iPhone screens. This mode, which will have a dark-toned interface, is best suited for voice-based queries and searches.
Additionally, you will be able to swipe down from the top center of their iPhone screen to launch the “Search or Ask” interface. This is where iOS 27 will feature Siri Suggestions for frequently used apps, recent searches, notes, and more.
Writing Tools
Bloomberg reports that iOS 27 will include a more powerful app checker like Grammarly:
The program appears in a bright menu that slides up from the bottom of the screen and displays actual text alongside suggested updates.
Users can accept individual suggestions, approve all changes or ignore them entirely. There are also controls to stop grammar checking and navigate between flagged text sections.
Apple is also adding a “Write with Siri” switch that appears at the top of the keyboard, as well as a “Help Me Write” button that “appears when users activate Siri while working in a text field.”
Shortcuts
iOS 27 will let you use natural language to create shortcuts by describing what you want them to do. Currently, you must manually add and remove actions to build your shortcut.
Custom wallpapers
It is reported that iOS 27 will include a new feature that allows you to generate custom wallpapers using AI. The feature will build on the existing Image Playground system and appear in the wallpaper selection interface.
Liquid Glass is changing
Bloomberg reports that there is no evidence iOS 27 will introduce major changes to the Liquid Glass interface. Apple could, however, add a slider that gives you 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 will reportedly allow you 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.
Although Apple is not planning major changes to Liquid Glass, it is working on some changes to “streamline” the interface.
One of the key features of iOS 26 was the new tab bar design, where the search button sits differently throughout the navigation bar. In iOS 27, Apple plans to combine the search tab with other tabs in apps such as Podcasts, TV, Music, Life, and News.
Updating the camera app
iOS 26 completely redesigned the camera app. With iOS 27, Apple plans to make the camera app fully customizable. You will be able to choose which features appear in the Camera app interface, and where they are placed. Apple has created a new “Add Widgets” program in the Camera app for these customization features.
Apple is also adding Visual Intelligence directly to the camera app this year. The feature will also be able to see nutrition labels and contact information.
Pictures are features
Apple will reportedly add three photo editing features to the Photos app in iOS 27:
- “Extend” will allow users to generate additional image content beyond the original image frame.
- “Enhance” will automatically improve image quality, brightness, colors, and more.
- The “Restart” option will allow users to “change the view” of the location images.
Additionally, the existing “Clean Up” feature in the Photos app is reportedly getting a “major improvement” as part of iOS 27.
Apple is also testing “natural language-based photo editing” in iOS 27, but it’s possible the feature won’t appear as part of the first update.
New features of Apple Wallet
Apple has two big new features planned for Apple Wallet in iOS 27.
- The new “Create Pass” feature will allow you to convert physical passes into digital passes. For example, you can create a digital version of your gym membership.
- A new feature that helps you split the bill with others at dinner. You’ll reportedly be able to take a picture of a receipt, give different items to different people, and make Apple Cash payment requests.
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
Other features of iOS 27
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.
Bloomberg and share some more details on iOS 27 features:
- Notifications will now come in from the left side of the screen rather than the top of the screen.
- The weather app adds a new “Conditions” panel to each city’s main page with items like rain and wind.
- There is a new animation when you activate the on-screen keyboard that will “show keys that slide up from the bottom of the device interface.”
- iOS 27 adds “redo and undo controls” when customizing your home screen.
- Safari will feature a new start page with four tabs to switch between favorites, bookmarks, reading list, and browser history.
- Apple is redesigning the AirPods user interface in the Settings app.
- Bloomberg says iOS 27 may include support for third-party AirPlay alternatives, such as Google Cast. This feature, however, can only be found in the European Union.
- The Find My app is getting a “subtle visual update, including new icons in the tab bar.”
Finish it
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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