Apple Releases IOS 27 Today: Compatible IPhones, Key Features And How To Download

Apple has officially released iOS 27 today, September 14, 2026, bringing one of the company’s biggest iPhone software updates in years.

The update introduces Siri AI, expanded Apple Intelligence features, new photo editing tools, Liquid Glass refinements, improved performance, new child-safety controls, and a wide range of changes across Apple’s built-in apps.

iOS 27 is available as a free update for a broad range of iPhones, including models going back to the iPhone 11 and iPhone SE (2nd generation).

iOS 27 Is Available Today

Apple first previewed iOS 27 at WWDC 2026 and subsequently released developer and public beta versions.

The final public release is now rolling out globally on September 14. The newly launched iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone Duo ship with iOS 27 already installed.

If your iPhone is compatible, you can install the update directly from the Settings app.

Which iPhones Support iOS 27?

Apple’s official compatibility list includes the following devices:

iPhone 18 Series

iPhone 18 Pro
iPhone 18 Pro Max
iPhone Duo

iPhone 17 Series

iPhone 17
iPhone 17 Pro
iPhone 17 Pro Max
iPhone 17e
iPhone Air

iPhone 16 Series

iPhone 16
iPhone 16 Plus
iPhone 16 Pro
iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPhone 16e

iPhone 15 Series

iPhone 15
iPhone 15 Plus
iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro Max

iPhone 14 Series

iPhone 14
iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 14 Pro Max

iPhone 13 Series

iPhone 13
iPhone 13 mini
iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone 13 Pro Max

iPhone 12 Series

iPhone 12
iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 12 Pro
iPhone 12 Pro Max

iPhone 11 Series

iPhone 11
iPhone 11 Pro
iPhone 11 Pro Max

iPhone SE

iPhone SE (2nd generation)
iPhone SE (3rd generation)

However, not every iOS 27 feature is available on every compatible iPhone. Apple’s more advanced Apple Intelligence features require supported hardware, with Siri AI and other Apple Intelligence capabilities requiring newer iPhone models.

The Biggest iOS 27 Feature: Siri AI

The headline feature in iOS 27 is Siri AI.

Apple has redesigned Siri into a much more capable conversational assistant powered by Apple Intelligence.

Instead of relying primarily on simple commands, Siri AI can handle more natural conversations, answer broader questions, help with writing, and perform actions based on what you ask.

Apple is also introducing a dedicated Siri AI experience while retaining the familiar ways of activating Siri. The feature is initially rolling out in English, and availability can vary by region and device.

Siri Gets Visual Intelligence

iOS 27 also expands visual intelligence.

With Siri mode in Camera, users can point their iPhone at objects, text or other information around them and ask Siri questions about what the camera sees.

This makes the iPhone camera more than just a photography tool—it can also become a way to search and interact with the world around you.

New AI Photo Editing Tools

Apple is adding more AI-powered editing capabilities to Photos.

New tools include:

Spatial Reframing
Improved Clean Up
More intelligent image editing
Additional Apple Intelligence-powered photo features

These tools are designed to make sophisticated photo adjustments easier without requiring professional editing software.

Liquid Glass Gets More Customizable

Apple introduced the Liquid Glass design language with iOS 26, and iOS 27 refines it further.

Apple says the latest version improves:

Contrast
Readability
Refraction
App icon detail

A new control also lets users adjust the appearance of Liquid Glass, ranging from a more transparent look to a more heavily tinted appearance.

This gives users more control over how the new interface looks without completely abandoning Apple’s Liquid Glass design.

iOS 27 Is Faster

Apple is also emphasizing performance improvements.

According to Apple, some everyday operations can be substantially faster in iOS 27, including:

App launches: up to 30% faster
Photos library loading: up to 70% faster
AirDrop transfers: up to 80% faster

Apple attributes these improvements to changes across the operating system, including an optimized CPU scheduler, memory improvements and other system-level refinements.

Actual performance will vary depending on the iPhone model, storage conditions and workload.

New Child Safety Features

Apple is also expanding parental and child-safety controls in iOS 27.

The company says the new features are designed to give parents more control and help children have safer experiences when using their iPhones.

This comes alongside Apple’s broader focus on communication safety, content restrictions and age-appropriate experiences.

More iOS 27 Features Worth Knowing

Siri isn’t the only major change.

iOS 27 also introduces or expands features including:

iPhone Handoff

Users can switch between two supported iPhones while maintaining the same phone number through supported carrier implementations.

Carrier support is required, so availability will depend on your wireless provider.

Find My Location Controls

Find My gains more flexible location-sharing controls.

Users can set custom expiration times and temporarily pause location sharing in certain situations.

Apple Cash Bill Splitting

In the United States, Apple is adding a bill-splitting experience using Apple Cash and Apple Intelligence.

Users can point their iPhone at a receipt and have the system help identify items and calculate their share, including applicable tax and tip.

CarPlay Video

Compatible vehicles can support video experiences through CarPlay while the vehicle is parked.

Apple is also allowing developers to create CarPlay apps with video browsing capabilities.

Smarter Home

Apple Intelligence brings additional capabilities to the Home app, including smarter notification grouping and AI-powered search of HomeKit Secure Video footage.

Supported HomeKit Secure Video cameras can also stream and record in 4K.

How to Download iOS 27

If you have a compatible iPhone, installing iOS 27 is straightforward.

Step 1: Back Up Your iPhone

Before installing a major software update, make sure your important information is backed up using iCloud or a computer.

Step 2: Connect to Wi-Fi

Use a reliable Wi-Fi connection to download the update.

It’s also a good idea to connect your iPhone to power if the battery is low.

Step 3: Open Software Update

Go to: Settings → General → Software Update

Your iPhone should check for available updates.

Step 4: Download and Install

If iOS 27 is available, tap: Download and Install

Follow the instructions on screen and allow your iPhone to restart when required.

Apple’s current iOS 27 page confirms the public release date as September 14, 2026.

Don’t Worry If Your Battery Is Worse at First

One thing iPhone owners should know before updating is that battery life may temporarily look worse after installing a major iOS release.

Your iPhone can continue performing background tasks after the installation is finished. This can temporarily increase processing activity, battery consumption and device temperature.

So don’t immediately assume that iOS 27 has permanently damaged your battery if your iPhone drains faster during the first few days.

Give the device some time to complete background tasks before judging long-term battery performance.

Some iOS 27 Features Depend on Region

Apple makes it clear that iOS 27 features aren’t universally available in every country or language.

Apple maintains a dedicated iOS and iPadOS 27 Feature Availability page showing which capabilities are supported by region and language.

This is particularly important for Apple Intelligence and Siri AI, where language, device and regional restrictions can affect availability.

Should You Install iOS 27?

For most compatible iPhone owners, yes.

iOS 27 isn’t simply a cosmetic update. It combines a major Siri AI upgrade with performance improvements, new camera intelligence, photo tools, safety features and refinements across Apple’s apps and services.

However, users with older iPhones should remember that compatibility doesn’t mean every feature will be available.

The iPhone 11 can run iOS 27, for example, but newer AI capabilities require newer hardware.

Final Thoughts

iOS 27 is officially here, and it represents a major step forward for Apple’s iPhone software.

The biggest change is undoubtedly Siri AI, but the update goes well beyond Siri. Apple has improved the Liquid Glass interface, added AI-powered photo tools, enhanced visual intelligence, introduced new safety controls and made several core iPhone experiences faster.

If you own an iPhone 11 or newer—or an iPhone SE from the second generation onward—your device is eligible for the update.

Before installing, make a backup, connect to Wi-Fi and make sure you have enough battery and storage.

Then head to: Settings → General → Software Update and start exploring iOS 27.

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Apple Releases iOS 27 Today: Compatible iPhones, Key Features and How to Download

iOS 27 Is Available Today