Apple has officially released the iOS 27 Public Betagiving Apple Home users their first chance to try out the biggest smart home update since iOS 18. After more than a month of developer testing, the software is now available to anyone enrolled in Apple’s Beta Software Program ahead of its expected public release this September.
If you’re an Apple Home user, this isn’t just another iPhone update. iOS 27 introduces several intuitive improvements that make controlling your smart home feel faster, smarter and more reliable.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Smart Siri for Apple Home
Without a doubt, the biggest improvement is Siri.
For years, Siri has often felt frustrated when controlling Apple Home. If you wanted to dim the lights after turning them on, you would usually have to repeat the name of the room or resource every time.
That is changing.
With iOS 27, Siri can now save context during conversations. For example:
- “Open the line for my office desk.”
- “Set it to 40%.
- “Actually, close it.”
Instead of asking which light you’re referring to, Siri understands that you’re still talking about the same device.
It makes controlling Apple Home feel natural and conversational. While Siri still struggles with complex multi-action requests, this is the biggest leap forward for voice control we’ve seen in years.
HomeKit Secure Video Gets Its Biggest Upgrade Yet
Apple is also making the basics for the next generation of HomeKit Secure Video.
Later this year, compatible cameras will support:
- 4K recording
- Improved event detection
- AI-powered video search
- Smart notification shortcuts
- Better timeline navigation
However, there is an important catch.
Not all existing HomeKit cameras will support 4K recording. Apple introduced new technical requirements, including improved video processing capabilities and support for new encoding standards. That means some current cameras may not get the upgrade, even if they’re compatible with HomeKit Secure Video today.
If you’re thinking of buying new cameras this year, you may have to wait to see which manufacturers announce support for the new platform.
Quick Apple Home Setup
Apple has also improved how new accessories are added to Apple Home.
The setup process is noticeably smoother and now includes the ability to pause installation while adding more accessories.
It sounds like a small change, but when you install several Matter or HomeKit devices at once, it makes the onboarding experience a lot less frustrating.
Combined with continued improvements to Matter, Apple continues to make adding smart home devices much easier than it was a few years ago.
Better Energy Monitoring
Apple continues to expand its Home Energy features.
If you have compatible smart plugs or energy monitoring devices, iOS 27 improves live energy reporting and makes energy usage data more reliable.
While most integrations for advanced services remain limited to certain regions, Apple is clearly investing in making the Home app a better place to understand how much energy your smart home is using.
Apple TV and Home Hub Upgrades
Behind the scenes, Apple has also made small but welcome improvements for users with multiple Home hubs.
When you manually switch your favorite Apple TV or HomePod as the active home hub, the Home app now reminds you to re-enable automatic updates. A simple add-on that helps to avoid using old software, which can affect the reliability of Home.
Apple TV and HomePod 27 software should also be updated alongside your iPhone to ensure you have access to all the latest Apple Home features.
Should You Install the Public Beta?
Compared to previous years, the iOS 27 Public Beta has proven to be stable during developer testing, especially for Apple Home users. Camera crashes seen in previous builds have been largely resolved, and the overall Home app functionality feels more responsive. That said, this is still beta software and bugs, battery drain or compatibility issues are possible. Apple recommends backing up your device before installing it, and many users prefer to test beta software on a secondary device rather than their primary iPhone.