Apple rolls out iOS 27 release candidate ahead of public launch
Apple has made the first iOS 27 release candidate available for testing, highlighting major Siri AI enhancements and a range of new features across its ecosystem.
Apple announced that the first release candidate of iOS 27 is now available for testing, moving the upcoming iPhone operating system closer to a public rollout. The build will become the public version unless further testing uncovers issues that require an additional release candidate.
Developers can obtain the update via Settings > General > Software Update, and users already on the iOS 27 developer beta can check the same location for the latest build.
The centerpiece of iOS 27 is a revamped Siri AI, which offers more conversational replies, personal context, on-screen awareness, and expanded actions within apps. Apple also introduced a dedicated Siri app for revisiting prior conversations, a new Dynamic Island-centered interface, and a Siri mode in the Camera app that adds visual-intelligence capabilities.
Additional AI-driven improvements appear in Photos, Safari, Mail, Messages, Shortcuts and other native applications. The update builds on last year’s Liquid Glass redesign with a transparency slider, adds keywords and star ratings in Photos, customizable slideshows, Dual Capture in FaceTime, custom EQ settings for AirPods, and streamlined Apple Pay card switching. Performance enhancements target faster app launches, quicker Photo loading, improved AirDrop transfers, and smoother transitions between Wi-Fi and cellular networks.