Apple released iOS 27 on September 14, 2026. It supports the same iPhones as iOS 26, including the iPhone 11 series and iPhone SE (2nd generation) or later. Siri AI and other Apple Intelligence features require an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max or newer compatible hardware. You can install iOS 27 through Settings → General → Software Update after backing up your iPhone.
Key takeaways
- Apple released iOS 27 on September 14, 2026.
- iOS 27 supports the iPhone 11 series and newer, plus iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later.
- Siri AI and Apple Intelligence require newer hardware, starting with iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
- Major iOS 27 additions include Siri AI, expanded Apple Intelligence features, new parental controls and Screen Time improvements, Photos editing upgrades, and changes across Messages, Mail, Safari, connectivity and search.
- Apple recommends backing up your iPhone before installing a major software update.
- The latest iOS 27 point releases can add or change features, so Apple’s current update notes remain the best source for what is available now.
When was iOS 27 released?
Apple released iOS 27 on Monday, September 14, 2026. Apple confirmed the availability date in its September 14 announcement, saying its major software-platform updates were beginning to roll out that day. Apple’s announcement introduced iOS 27 alongside updates for Apple’s other platforms.
The September 14 public release followed Apple’s September 9 hardware event, where the company had announced that iOS 27 would become available the following Monday. MacRumors reported the release schedule before Apple subsequently released the software as planned. iOS 27 is therefore no longer a beta or an upcoming update. Compatible iPhones can install the public release and subsequent iOS 27 point updates through Apple’s normal Software Update system.
Which iPhones are compatible with iOS 27?
Apple kept the same broad device compatibility as iOS 26. According to Apple’s current iOS 27 compatibility page, iOS 27 supports the iPhone 11 family and newer models, as well as the iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later. That means simply saying “iPhone 11 and newer” is useful shorthand, but it misses the supported iPhone SE models. MacRumors independently reported that iOS 27 retained the same compatibility range as iOS 26. The full supported-device list currently includes:
- iPhone Duo
- iPhone 18 Pro Max
- iPhone 18 Pro
- iPhone 17
- iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
- iPhone 17e
- iPhone Air
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)
Which iPhones support Apple Intelligence in iOS 27?
Being able to install iOS 27 does not mean your iPhone supports every feature in it. Apple says Siri AI is available on an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or iPhone 16 model or later, subject to supported language and feature requirements. Apple’s iOS 27 feature documentation identifies that hardware requirement for Siri AI. An iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14 or standard iPhone 15 can therefore run iOS 27 while missing some of its AI-powered capabilities. That distinction is important if a particular Apple Intelligence feature is the main reason you are considering the upgrade. So the compatibility split looks like this:
| Capability | Minimum supported iPhone |
|---|---|
| iOS 27 operating system | iPhone 11 series or iPhone SE (2nd generation), with newer supported models |
| Siri AI / Apple Intelligence | iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or newer Apple Intelligence-compatible models |
What are the headline new features in iOS 27?
The biggest change in iOS 27 is the arrival of the next generation of Apple Intelligence and Siri AI, but the update extends well beyond Siri. Apple’s official iOS 27 overview and iOS 27 update notes highlight changes spanning AI, Photos, Messages, Mail, Safari, parental controls, Screen Time, design, connectivity and search. We start with the headline Siri AI and Photos changes below, and then cover the smaller improvements across the system.
What is Siri AI?
Siri AI is Apple’s substantially redesigned version of Siri. Apple describes it as a more conversational assistant that can draw on personal context, onscreen awareness, app actions and broader world knowledge. It can help locate information stored across your device, work with content in apps and perform more complex actions than the earlier Siri experience. Apple also introduced a dedicated Siri experience where conversations can be revisited, while writing capabilities can help generate drafts, provide feedback and adapt tone. Siri AI remains hardware-dependent and is available only on Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhones.
What changed with Photos and Visual Intelligence?
iOS 27 expands Apple’s AI-assisted image tools. Apple highlights features such as upgraded Clean Up and new editing capabilities including Spatial Reframing on supported devices. Visual Intelligence is also more deeply integrated with the Camera experience. On supported iPhones, Siri mode in Camera can use what is visible in the frame to help users search, ask questions or take relevant actions. These capabilities depend on Apple Intelligence hardware, so they should not be assumed to work identically on every iPhone that can install iOS 27.
What else changed in iOS 27?
Apple’s release notes describe improvements beyond generative AI. The company highlights new or expanded features involving Messages and Mail, Safari, parental controls, Screen Time, image editing, search, connectivity, overall interface and design refinements and performance and responsiveness. Apple has also continued developing iOS 27 through point releases. For example, Apple’s current update documentation says iOS 27.2 adds further Siri AI enhancements, including the ability to retain useful context from previous Siri interactions and draw on a broader range of personal context. That is why the exact iOS 27 feature set can evolve after the original September release.
How do you install iOS 27?
Apple’s official installation process is straightforward. On a compatible iPhone, go to: Settings → General → Software Update. Apple’s iOS 27 download guide recommends backing up your device before installing so you retain a copy of important information. Apple notes that your iPhone only shows software updates compatible with that particular device. If you have an older iOS version installed, Apple may also require an intermediate update before the latest release becomes available. A sensible upgrade sequence is:
- Back up your iPhone.
- Connect to a reliable network and ensure the phone has sufficient power.
- Open Settings → General → Software Update.
- Select the iOS 27 update offered for your device.
- Follow Apple’s on-screen instructions to download and install it.
Should you update to iOS 27 immediately?
For most users with a supported device, iOS 27 brings current security, compatibility and feature improvements, but whether you should install a major update immediately depends on your own priorities. The most important precaution is simple: back up first. Users who depend heavily on particular business, banking or specialist apps may also want to make sure those apps support the current iOS version before performing a major operating-system upgrade.
Battery behaviour immediately after a major update should also be judged carefully. An iPhone can perform background work after an operating-system installation, so unusually high battery consumption immediately after updating does not necessarily represent long-term battery performance. Rather than applying random “battery hacks,” use Apple’s Battery settings and current Apple Support guidance if abnormal drain continues.
The upgrade decision is easiest when you separate three questions: can your iPhone install iOS 27, can it use Siri AI and Apple Intelligence, and do you need to install it immediately? The answers are, in order, to check Apple’s supported-device list, which begins with the iPhone 11 family and iPhone SE (2nd generation); to use an Apple Intelligence-compatible model, beginning with iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max; and to back up first, confirm any critical app requirements and install when you are comfortable updating. Taken together, they turn a vague worry about updating into a short checklist.
FAQ
When did iOS 27 come out?
Apple released iOS 27 on September 14, 2026, and confirmed the rollout in its official announcement on the same date. It followed Apple’s September 9 event, where the date was announced.
Which iPhones get iOS 27?
iOS 27 supports the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max onward, along with iPhone SE (2nd generation and later) and Apple’s newer supported iPhone models. That is the same broad range as iOS 26.
Does every iPhone running iOS 27 get Apple Intelligence?
No. iOS 27 supports significantly older hardware than Apple Intelligence does. Siri AI requires an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or iPhone 16 model or later, subject to Apple’s language and feature requirements.
What are the biggest iOS 27 features?
The headline addition is Siri AI, alongside expanded Apple Intelligence tools, Visual Intelligence and Photos features. Apple also highlights improvements across Messages, Mail and Safari, updated parental controls and Screen Time, and wider design, search and connectivity refinements.
How do I install iOS 27?
Go to Settings → General → Software Update on a compatible iPhone and select the update offered for your device. Apple recommends backing up the device before installing, and a reliable network connection and enough battery help the download go smoothly.
Is iOS 27 available now?
Yes. Apple released iOS 27 on September 14, 2026, and has since issued additional iOS 27 point releases with further fixes and feature updates. You can install it through the normal Software Update system.
Does iPhone 11 support iOS 27?
Yes. Apple lists the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max as compatible with iOS 27. These devices can run iOS 27 but do not support the Apple Intelligence features that require newer hardware.
