Apple has started rolling out iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27 and other software updates, bringing a new version of Siri, additional Apple Intelligence features, redesigned Screen Time tools and other platform-wide changes.
The biggest addition is Siri AI, a new version of Apple’s voice assistant powered by the company’s next-generation Apple Intelligence system. It is designed to understand personal context, recognise what is displayed on a user’s screen, answer questions and perform more actions across apps.
Siri AI is initially rolling out as a beta in English, with French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish support scheduled to arrive in October.
Siri AI gains personal context and onscreen awareness
Siri AI can use information from messages, emails, photos and other content to provide context-aware responses. It can also answer questions about what is displayed on the screen or search the web for updated information.
The assistant is integrated with the Camera app through Siri mode, allowing users to ask questions about objects or information visible through the camera and take certain actions. Visual Intelligence has also been expanded, allowing users on iPhone, iPad and Mac to ask Siri about content displayed on their screens.
Apple is also introducing Write with Siri, which can generate drafts or help refine existing text. A dedicated Siri app uses iCloud to sync conversation history across supported Apple devices.
Apple Intelligence expands across apps
The latest software updates add more AI-powered features to several Apple apps.
The Photos app gets tools including Spatial Reframing, Extend and an upgraded Clean Up feature. Image Playground can generate images in different styles, including photorealistic images. Apple also says image metadata and upcoming support for the SynthID standard will help users identify images created or edited with AI.
In Safari, Apple Intelligence can organise browser tabs into topics and notify users about changes on websites, such as product restocks or price drops. Users can also create custom extensions based on a description.
A new Call Context feature can surface information such as confirmation codes or reservation numbers while users are speaking to a business.
New child safety and Screen Time controls
Apple has also introduced additional controls aimed at helping parents manage children’s access to apps, websites and communication.
A redesigned child-account setup process allows parents to apply age-based safeguards and select which apps children can access. The Ask to Browse feature requires parental approval before a child can access a new website in Safari.
Communication Safety has also been expanded to detect and block gore or violent content shared through images or videos.
Screen Time has been redesigned to provide parents with an overview of average device usage and frequently used apps. Parents can set daily limits for categories such as entertainment, games and social media, while new schedules allow them to control app access at different times of the day.
iOS 27 and other platforms get performance improvements
Apple says the new software also includes changes to performance, connectivity, search and the overall interface.
On iPhone and iPad, apps can launch up to 30% faster, photos can load up to 70% faster after being taken, and AirDrop transfers can be up to 80% faster. Apple also says file transfers to external USB drives on iPad can be up to five times faster.
Connectivity improvements include smoother switching between cellular and Wi-Fi networks on iPhone and iPad. Messages can also continue sending text while large photos or videos are being delivered over low-bandwidth connections.
Search has been updated across Spotlight, Photos and Mail, while Mail gets a new ranking system intended to surface more relevant results in Top Hits.
The Liquid Glass design introduced across Apple’s software has also received refinements, including an option in Settings to adjust its appearance from more transparent to more tinted.
Other updates across Apple devices
The software updates also bring changes to several other Apple services and devices.
iCloud Shared Albums now support full-resolution photo and video sharing, while Android and Windows users can more easily join and contribute. The Health app adds support for perimenopause and menopause information in Cycle Tracking.
AirPods users get a custom EQ feature, while Apple Maps receives an enhanced Flyover experience combining aerial imagery with AI.
Apple Watch gets new Smart Stack widget suggestions and a new one-handed tap gesture. Apple Vision Pro users can turn panoramas into spatial scenes, while Apple TV adds high-resolution lossless audio support for Apple Music and a redesigned Apple Podcasts app.
Siri AI availability and supported devices
The new Apple Intelligence features are not available on every Apple device or in every market. Siri AI initially launches in beta in English, with additional languages coming in October.
In the European Union, Siri AI will initially be available on Mac and Apple Vision Pro, while its availability on iOS, iPadOS and watchOS will be delayed. Apple said Siri AI and other new Apple Intelligence features will also not initially be available in China due to regulatory requirements.
Apple Intelligence and Siri AI require supported hardware, including iPhone Duo, iPhone Air, iPhone 16 models or later, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, as well as selected iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Vision Pro models.