The topic iOS 27 is coming Monday: New features, compatibility, more is currently the subject of lively discussion — readers and analysts are keeping a close eye on developments.
This is taking place in a dynamic environment: companies’ decisions and competitors’ reactions can quickly change the picture.
We’re just two days away from iOS 27 being announced WWDC, and rumors are waiting a clear picture of what to expect.
The update will reportedly bring a focus on stability improvements and bug fixes, with some big new Apple Intelligence features sprinkled in. Here’s everything we know so far about new iOS 27 features, the update’s release date, and more.
Apple will announce iOS 27 at WWDC 2026 on June 8. The update will be announced during the opening keynote at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET, and subsequently released in beta testing for developers.
An iOS 27 public beta will then be released in July, allowing iPhone users to try new features and give feedback to Apple.
If all goes according to the data plan, iOS 27 will then be released to the general public in September. Here are the release dates for major iOS updates over the last five years:
iOS 27 will reportedly drop support for these iPhone models:
Bloomberg reports that Apple’s primary focus with iOS 27 will be on “quality and underlying performance.” This comes after several years of massive iOS updates, including the launch of Apple Intelligence with iOS 18 and the dramatic Liquid Glass redesign with iOS 26.
Mark Gurman says that Apple engineers are “combing through Apple’s operating systems” looking for bloat to cut and bugs to fix, along with “any opportunity to meaningfully boost performance and overall quality.”
The idea is to take a step back after the last several significant iOS updates and lay the groundwork for a new wave of major updates going forward. Think of it as a sort of reset. Apple hopes the update will improve iPhone battery life for users.
One aspect of iOS 27 will be optimizing the software platform for Apple’s first foldable iPhone, which is set to launch in September 2026. The foldable iPhone is set to have an approximately 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch outer display. Apple will need to make changes to iOS 27 to accommodate that new form factor, as well as add new features to take advantage of the larger screen.
Bloomberg says Apple will “prioritize software features tailored specifically to this new form factor.”
In particular, the most recent Bloomberg report suggests Apple is planning to add new windowing features to iOS 27 for the iPhone Fold. The device will allegedly allow you to run two apps side-by-side, something not currently possible on an iPhone.
Apple is also reportedly developing new iOS app layouts for its own apps to accommodate the larger size of the inner iPhone Fold display. Third-party developers will also be able to adopt these layouts in their apps.
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 rival AI search features from companies like Perplexity.
Apple also recently finalized its deal with Google to use Gemini models to power new Siri and Apple Intelligence features. according to the data a report from The Information, Apple is set to use Gemini models to power several iOS 27 features.
according to the data Bloomberg, iOS 27 will include a standalone Siri chatbot app that will look similar to apps like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. The app will let you communicate with Apple’s chatbot (powered by a Gemini model from Google) with a grid of conversations, the ability to upload files and photos, auto-deleting chats, and more.
Apple has reportedly completely redesigned Siri as part of iOS 27. It will now live inside the Dynamic Island with a design similar to the WWDC invite artwork, seen above. Bloomberg reports:
Apple has redesigned Siri for modern iPhone hardware, making it live inside the Dynamic Island, an on-screen element that the company first introduced in 2022. When a user says “Siri” or holds down on the power button, the assistant opens in the Dynamic Island with a new animation that replaces the glowing interface that currently sits around the edges of an iPhone’s screen. This mode, which will have a dark-toned interface, is best suited for voice-based queries and search.
Additionally, you will be able to swipe down from the top center of their iPhone’s screen to launch a “Search or Ask” interface. This is where iOS 27 will surface Siri Suggestions for frequently used apps, recent searches, notes, and more.
Bloomberg reports that iOS 27 will include a more powerful grammar checker similar to Grammarly:
The system appears in a translucent menu that slides up from the bottom of the screen and displays original text alongside suggested revisions.
Users can accept individual suggestions, approve all changes or ignore them altogether. There are also controls to pause grammar checking and navigate between flagged sections of text.
Apple is also adding a “Write With Siri” toggle 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.”
iOS 27 will let you use natural language to create shortcuts simply by describing what you want them to do. Currently, you have to manually add and remove actions to build your shortcut.
iOS 27 will reportedly include a new feature that lets you generate custom wallpapers using AI. The feature will build on the existing Image Playground app and appear in the wallpaper picking interface.
Bloomberg reports that there is no evidence iOS 27 will include major changes to the Liquid Glass interface. Apple might, however, add a slider that gives you more control over the design.
Mark Gurman says that Apple started working on this Liquid Glass slider during the iOS 26 cycle, but ran into engineering challenges. The slider would reportedly let you “finely control the level of the glass effect.” Whether Apple successfully conquers those challenges in iOS 27 remains to be seen, but it’s something in the works.
While Apple isn’t planning major changes to Liquid Glass, it is working on some tweaks to “streamline” the interface.
One of the key aspects of iOS 26 was the new tab bar design, where the search button sits separately from the rest of the navigation bar. In iOS 27, Apple plans to combine the search tab with the other tabs in apps such as Podcasts, TV, Music, Health, and News.
iOS 26 completely redesigned the camera app. With iOS 27, Apple is planning to make the Camera app fully customizable. You’ll be able to choose which features appear in the Camera app interface, and where they are placed. Apple has developed a new “Add Widgets” system 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 recognize nutrition labels and contact information.
Apple will reportedly add three new photo editing features to the Photos app in iOS 27:
Additionally, the existing “Clean Up” feature in the Photos app is reportedly getting “significant improvements” as part of iOS 27.
Apple is also testing “natural language prompt-based editing of photos” in iOS 27, but it’s possible this feature won’t debut as part of the initial update.
Apple has two big new features planned for Apple Wallet in iOS 27.
While details are sparse, Bloomberg has reported that Apple is working on a big overhaul for the Calendar app:
Apple is working on a revamped Calendar app for release across its platforms. It originally planned to introduce the software [in 2026], but it’s been delayed and is now slated for the subsequent set of operating systems…iOS 27 and macOS 27
Macworld found references to a few iOS 27 features based on a leaked build of Apple’s software last summer.
There aren’t any further details about these two features. It’s also possible they’ve been scrapped altogether.
Bloomberg has also shared a few additional tidbits on iOS 27 features:
What’s on your wishlist for iOS 27? Are there any new features you want Apple to add? Let us know down in the comments.