IOS 27

Apple Intelligence

iOS 27 expands Apple Intelligence, Apple's generative AI system, with improved Writing Tools and the ability to generate images with a private cloud model.^[5][6] Resource-heavy features, such as image generation, have daily limits. Higher usage of these features is available to paid iCloud+ subscribers,^[6] excluding users of the 50 GB tier. Advanced capabilities, like custom Siri voices, are restricted to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air.^[6]

In the Home app, Apple Intelligence–powered camera features require an iCloud+ plan with at least a 2 TB tier.^[7]

Siri AI

One core feature of the update is Siri AI, a rebuilt version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence. The new Siri uses generative AI technology and behaves more like a chatbot.^[8][6] Apple developed the underlying models with Google, and these run on Apple's Private Cloud Compute infrastructure.^[9] The new Siri can have natural conversations, use personal information from apps such as Messages, and understand content displayed on screen.^[8][6] Additionally, Siri can carry out complex actions within apps, such as adding events to Calendar or adding photographs to an album.^[6]

As part of the changes, Siri is integrated into the Dynamic Island. Swiping down from the center of the screen opens a "Search or Ask" interface that replaces Spotlight. Due to this, the Notification Center is now reached by swiping down from the upper-left corner.^[6]

Writing Tools are built into Siri, allowing text to be generated, rewritten, or proofread from a systemwide interface rather than a separate panel.^[8][6]

iOS 27 introduces a Siri app that syncs via iCloud. It lets users begin, view, or continue Siri conversations.^[10][8]

Siri AI is not available at launch in the European Union or China while Apple works through regulatory requirements.^[8]

AirPods

The AirPods settings UI has been updated for iOS 27.^[11] iOS 27 has also brought a custom equalizer to AirPods, natively allowing for manual adjustment of audio frequencies.^[12]

Parental controls

iOS 27 introduces a redesigned Screen Time interface and new child-safety controls. Parents can set Time Allowances across app categories such as entertainment, games, and social media. Furthermore, parents can determine which apps are available at different times of day, with recommendations based on a child's age and guidance from experts.^[5] An "Ask to Browse" feature requires children to obtain approval before visiting a new website. Similarly, parents can require approval before a child communicates with a new contact in Messages, FaceTime, or Phone.^[5][13]

Other system changes

A new battery icon was introduced with iOS 27.^[14] Apple revised the Liquid Glass design introduced in iOS 26 to improve readability.^[6] A Liquid Glass slider in the settings allows users to adjust its translucency. Apple also described general performance and responsiveness improvements across the system.^[6]

Camera and Photos

Visual Intelligence was moved into the Camera app as a new Siri mode.^[6] Through it, users can photograph objects to get information from Siri, look up the nutritional value of food, import multiple events into Calendar at once, split a receipt, import contact details from a business card, or add a membership card to the Wallet app.^[6]

The Photos app gains AI editing tools. The Clean Up feature is better at removing objects and filling in missing areas, while new Reframe and Extend options use AI to change a photo's composition or enlarge its crop with newly generated content.^[6] Other additions include a "Captured by Me" collection, support for keywords and star ratings, the ability to save a video frame as a still photo, and slideshows for any set of images.^[6] iCloud Shared Albums add full-resolution sharing, a 30-day expiration option, and the ability for users on Android and Windows devices to contribute images.^[6]

Safari and Passwords

Safari uses Apple Intelligence to organize open tabs, bookmarks, and the Reading List into related topics.^[13][6] Users can generate custom extensions by typing out natural language, and "Notify Me" monitors a webpage to alert the user when it changes.^[13][6] The Passwords app can use AI to visit a website on its own, sign in, and replace a vulnerable password with a stronger one.^[6]

Apple has said Safari is more power efficient than in the previous release.^[13]

Wallet

Apple Wallet adds "Create a Pass", a feature that uses Visual Intelligence to generate a digital pass for tickets, memberships, and similar items from services that do not support Wallet.^[6] A bill-splitting feature uses Apple Cash to divide the cost of a scanned receipt among several people.^[6]

Phone, FaceTime, and Messages

The Phone app adds Call Context, which brings up relevant information during a call, such as a flight number when calling an airline.^[6] FaceTime gains a Dual Capture option that streams the front and rear cameras simultaneously.^[6] In Messages, sending large photos and videos no longer delays accompanying text messages. Additionally, outgoing messages show a send indicator, Tapback notifications are consolidated, and Apple Intelligence suggests actions such as adding a photo or sharing a location.^[6]

Maps and Find My

Apple Maps uses aerial imagery and Vision Intelligence models to produce a more detailed Flyover experience.^[6] Find My allows for customized location sharing, letting users share their location for a custom duration or until a set time.^[15] The new "Hide Location" option lets a user stop sharing their location with a specific person without notifying that person.^[15][16] The Find My interface was also refreshed with the Liquid Glass design.^[15]

Other apps

Image Playground was overhauled to generate images in any style, including photorealistic results. It now allows for edits through text descriptions or touch gestures. Genmoji creation was made faster and higher quality.^[6] The Music app introduces redesigned artist pages, varied AutoMix transitions between songs, and folders for organizing playlists.^[6] The Calendar and Reminders apps support natural language for managing events and tasks. The Shortcuts app can create a shortcut from natural language.^[6] The Clock app allows the alarm volume to be set independently of the system volume.^[6] In the Health and Fitness apps, GymKit support was extended to the iPhone for pairing with gym equipment. Furthermore, route maps and treadmill distances are more accurate, step counts sync between both apps, and Cycle Tracking adds support for perimenopause and menopause.^[17][6] The Journal app now includes generative writing prompts for inspiration.^[6]