Apple releases iOS 27 beta 2 with Siri AI enhancements

Apple has rolled out the second developer beta of iOS 27, which replaces the initial beta released after WWDC 2026. The update is accessible through the Settings app on eligible iPhones for members of the Apple Developer Program. Apple plans to launch the first public beta in July, with the final version expected later in the fall.

The beta focuses on bug fixes and refinements, while also introducing additional features. The most notable change is the new Siri AI, built on Apple Intelligence and the latest Apple Foundation Models. Siri AI offers more conversational depth, personal context, broader knowledge, on-screen awareness, and enhanced app actions. On iPhone, it includes a visual interface linked to the Dynamic Island and a dedicated Siri app for reviewing past interactions.

Visual Intelligence is being integrated into Siri, adding a new Siri mode in the Camera app and improvements to Camera Control. AI-driven enhancements also extend to Photos, Safari, Passwords, Mail, Messages, Phone, Shortcuts, Home and other apps, with some functions running on-device and others using Private Cloud Compute. Siri AI requires newer hardware; while iOS 27 supports iPhone 11 and later (including iPhone SE 2 and newer), the full Siri AI experience is limited to devices such as the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air.

Other iOS 27 updates include refinements to the Liquid Glass design, a transparency slider for system UI, performance boosts for app launches, Photo loading, Camera startup in Low Power Mode, AirDrop transfers, and Wi-Fi-to-cellular handoffs. Additional features are Photos keywords and star ratings, customizable slideshows, smoother Camera behavior, continuous message sending, Dual Capture in FaceTime, custom EQ for AirPods, new recovery options, easier Apple Pay card switching, and AI-generated wallpaper creation.

"Beta 2 releases for major iOS updates usually focus heavily on bug fixes and early refinements, though Apple often uses these updates to add smaller feature changes too," the article notes.

Developers are encouraged to install the beta and report any notable changes.