Apple previewed software updates planned for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, visionOS 27, and tvOS 27 at its annual WWDC 2026. The updates include changes to Apple Intelligence, a new Siri AI experience, expanded parental controls, and performance and design improvements across Apple platforms.
“This year’s releases focus on Apple Intelligence, Siri, family safety tools, and platform reliability,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. Apple said the next version of Apple Intelligence uses a new architecture designed to support privacy while enabling Siri AI and related features across apps.
Siri AI will be available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. It can use personal context, search across apps such as Messages, Mail, and Photos, answer questions about on-screen content, and use web information when needed. A dedicated Siri app will let users start new conversations or return to previous ones, with conversation history synced through iCloud. Apple Intelligence will also support updates in Photos, Safari, Image Playground, Messages, and Mail.
New parental control features will let parents manage app access, contacts, and age-appropriate protections for child accounts. Parents can approve new contacts and enable interventions when explicit or violent content is detected. Screen Time will add daily time allowances for Entertainment, Games, and Social Media apps, along with schedules for app access. The redesigned Screen Time view will show average device use and top apps.
The 2027 software releases include design refinements, performance updates, and changes to communication, photos, music, health, and device features.
Apple said iPhone and iPad apps launch up to 30 percent faster, photos load up to 70 percent faster after being taken, and AirDrop transfers are up to 80 percent faster. Search in Spotlight, Photos, and Mail has been rebuilt for stability and efficiency, and Mail adds a new ranking system for Top Hits.
Design updates include a setting to adjust Liquid Glass, updated app icons, and macOS changes such as a more uniform toolbar, edge-to-edge sidebars, and coloured sidebar icons.
Other planned updates include:
- iCloud Shared Albums with cross-platform photo sharing and full-resolution support.
- Health app support for perimenopause and menopause in Cycle Tracking.
- Apple Watch updates, including a dynamic app grid, Smart Stack gesture, and consolidated Find My app.
- Custom EQ for AirPods and expanded Apple GymKit support for AirPods Pro 3.
- Apple Vision Pro support for panoramas as spatial scenes and faster Wi-Fi connection times.
- Apple Maps updates to Flyover using aerial imagery and AI.
Availability
- Developer testing begins today, with a public beta planned for next month. The updates are expected to be released as free software updates this fall.
- Apple Intelligence will be available on supported devices and in supported languages with iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27.
- Siri AI will be available as a beta later this year for supported devices set to English, with more languages planned.
- Availability may vary by device, region, language, and local regulations. Siri AI will not initially be available in the EU on iOS and iPadOS, and Siri AI and new Apple Intelligence features will not be available in China while Apple addresses regulatory requirements.
Apple makes iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro, and develops iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS.