Apple rolls out iOS 27 with performance tweaks and new AI-powered features

Apple released iOS 27, extending support to iPhone 11 and later models and emphasizing bug fixes, faster app launches, improved AirDrop speeds, and better memory management. The update introduces several new capabilities.

The Shortcuts app now accepts natural-language prompts, allowing users to describe desired automations, which Apple Intelligence translates into functional shortcuts that can be edited manually. Three AI models are available, including an on-device option for quicker processing, though cloud-based models have daily usage limits.

Apple Wallet gains the ability to create custom passes from images or screenshots of tickets, loyalty cards, and IDs, using Visual Intelligence to extract relevant data. Users can add these passes via the "Add Pass to Wallet" option or by creating a new pass within the app.

Siri receives an AI-enhanced upgrade, currently in beta, that improves request handling, follow-up queries, and personal context awareness by accessing messages, emails, and photos. A new Siri mode in the Camera app leverages Visual Intelligence to answer visual queries.

AirPods users can now adjust sound with a system-wide three-band equalizer, available on AirPods 4 and newer, AirPods Pro 2 and newer, and AirPods Max 2, via Settings → Audio & Routing → Equalizer.

Safari adds page-change alerts that can be configured with natural-language descriptions, automatic tab grouping into topic categories, and the ability to generate custom extensions through Apple Intelligence.

Users can update to iOS 27 through Settings → General → Software Update.