Apple is releasing iOS 27 to the public today, delivering its biggest software update of the year to compatible iPhones. The company confirmed the rollout during its recent iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo event, with the update arriving around 10 a.m. Pacific / 1 p.m. Eastern through Settings under General → Software Update.

iOS 27 works on the iPhone 11 series and later, though the marquee artificial intelligence features require an iPhone 15 Pro or newer.

Siri AI is the headline feature

The centerpiece of iOS 27 is a completely reworked Siri, now branded Siri AI. Apple describes it as a far more capable and personalized assistant, closer in spirit to a conversational chatbot than the classic Siri that struggled with complex requests. iOS 27 adds a dedicated Siri app, and users can still summon the assistant by holding the side button.

Powered by Apple Intelligence, Siri AI can tap into personal information on the device, understand what's on screen, and take actions across supported apps. Apple said the feature launches in English only and comes with daily usage limits, with expanded access planned as a paid option later. It will not be available in the EU at launch on iOS 27, iPadOS 27 or watchOS 27 due to Apple's ongoing regulatory dispute with the European Commission.

More Apple Intelligence and design updates

Beyond Siri, iOS 27 introduces new "Extend" and "Reframe" tools in Photos, photorealistic image generation in Image Playground, the ability to build Shortcuts by describing them, and generated video descriptions for HomeKit Secure Video cameras.

Apple has also refined the Liquid Glass interface first introduced in iOS 26. The company says it now offers more uniform refraction and improved contrast, with sharper app icons. A new slider lets users adjust how clear or tinted the effect appears.

Faster performance across the system

Apple claims meaningful speed gains in iOS 27. App launches are said to be up to 30% faster, new photos in the library load up to 70% faster, and AirDrop transfers are up to 80% faster.

iPhone Handoff and Apple Cash bill splitting

A new iPhone Handoff feature lets users switch between two iPhones using the same phone number. It requires carrier support and may carry a fee. T-Mobile in the U.S. and Deutsche Telekom in Germany are first to offer it, with T-Mobile charging $5 per month. Apple said Verizon and the UK's EE plan to add it by year's end.

In the U.S., iOS 27 also introduces Apple Cash bill splitting powered by Apple Intelligence. Available in Wallet, Messages, and a new Siri camera mode, it can scan a receipt, identify items, and calculate each person's share including tax and tip.

Find My and CarPlay improvements

Find My now supports custom durations for location sharing, such as four days and six hours, or an exact expiration date and time. Users can also quietly pause sharing with specific people until the end of the day without notifying them.

For CarPlay, Apple is enabling video apps in supported vehicles. Users can stream video via AirPlay to a compatible car screen, and developers can now build CarPlay apps with video browsing. For safety, playback only works when the vehicle is parked.

Compatible devices and wider rollout

iOS 27 supports iPhone models from the iPhone 11 series through the new iPhone 18 Pro lineup, including the iPhone SE (2nd generation and later). The release is part of a broader software wave that Apple detailed in June, spanning more than 250 changes across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS and visionOS, all launching today.