Apple's iOS 27, which arrived for iPhone and iPad users in June, packs one of the most sweeping sets of changes in years. From a redesigned interface to smarter system apps and deeper Apple Intelligence integration, the update touches nearly every corner of the operating system. Here's a guide to the most significant new features and how they change the day-to-day iPhone experience.

A new look with Liquid Glass

The headline change in iOS 27 is Liquid Glass, a revamped visual design that reshapes how interface elements appear across the system. Apple lets users tone down the transparency of the effect if they prefer a more subdued look, and there's an option to switch to clear app icons on the Home Screen for a more uniform aesthetic.

Siri, Apple Intelligence and Visual Intelligence

iOS 27 expands Apple's AI ambitions with an updated Siri built around Apple Intelligence, alongside enhancements to Visual Intelligence for interpreting what the camera sees. Notably, some Apple Intelligence features tied to the Home app require a 2TB iCloud+ plan, a hardware-and-subscription requirement that may limit who can use them.

Smarter core apps

Many of Apple's built-in apps received meaningful upgrades:

  • Messages gains 13 refinements aimed at making conversations smarter and less annoying, a new drawing tool, and the ability to hide the button people frequently tap by mistake.
  • Phone and FaceTime pick up new features, while AirPods support a custom EQ and additional controls.
  • Safari, Apple Maps, Mail, Calendar, Reminders and Notes all see updates, with Notes adding Markdown copy-and-paste among four new features.
  • The Photos app, Wallet (with seven additions), and the Weather app are refreshed.
  • The Health app receives a major redesign, with the full overhaul rolling out through 2026.

Home, CarPlay and Apple TV

The Home app introduces more than 10 new HomeKit features, and HomePod gains added functionality. CarPlay receives at least eight new features, while Apple TV integration lets users update the set-top box from their iPhone and add an Apple TV remote to the Home Screen.

Lock Screen, Control Center and quality-of-life tweaks

The Lock Screen picks up five new features, including a compact clock that leaves more room for wallpaper, an optional volume slider, and the ability to dismiss the Now Playing widget. iOS 27 also finally unlinks alarm volume from the ringer, adds a new copy-and-paste feature, and lets users open the current app's settings directly from Control Center. The Shortcuts app has been made more approachable for newcomers.

Find My, Screen Time and recovery

Find My adds new options including the ability to hide your location. Apple also expanded parental controls with Ask to Browse, time allowances and a redesigned Screen Time. On the reliability side, iOS 27 introduces a Mac-like recovery mode for iPhone and iPad and includes performance improvements Apple says users will notice in daily use.

What's missing or delayed

Not everything ships at launch. Apple has confirmed that two iOS 27 features won't be ready when the update goes out, and two more are exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air. Users in the European Union also won't have access to certain features, reflecting ongoing regulatory differences in the region.

Taken together, iOS 27 represents both a visual reinvention and a broad functional upgrade. Whether you're new to the update or catching up on what changed, the mix of design overhaul, AI features and small quality-of-life fixes makes it one of Apple's more consequential releases.