iOS 27 FAQ: every common question answered

Release dates and versions

When was iOS 27 released?

Apple announced iOS 27 at the WWDC 2026 keynote on 8 June 2026 and shipped developer beta 1 the same day. After eight developer betas and a release candidate on 9 September, iOS 27.0 (build 24A437) reached the public on 14 September 2026. iOS 27.0.1 (24A446) followed on 28 September 2026.

How long did the iOS 27 beta last?

The first cycle ran from 8 June to 9 September 2026, a little over three months, before the public release on 14 September.

What is iOS 27.2?

iOS 27.2 is the update Apple is testing now. Its first beta (24B5084k) arrived on 16 September 2026, two days after iOS 27.0 shipped. Beta 2 (24B5089g) followed on 21 September, beta 3 (24B5099f) on 5 October and beta 4 (24B5110a) on 13 October. iPadOS 27.2 is on the same build. If you join the beta today, iOS 27.2 is what you get.

Is iOS 27 a free update?

Yes. iOS 27 is free on every supported iPhone. Install it from Settings › General › Software Update. The betas are free as well.

Supported devices

Will my iPhone 11 get iOS 27?

Yes. The iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max all run iOS 27, as does the iPhone SE (2nd generation). They are the oldest iPhones on the list. They do not get Apple Intelligence, which needs an A17 Pro chip or newer.

Which iPhones are not supported?

The iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and every older model, including the iPhone X, iPhone 8 and the original iPhone SE. Apple did not drop any iPhone this year, so every model that ran iOS 26 runs iOS 27. The full list is on our iOS 27 supported devices page.

Which iPads get iPadOS 27?

23 iPads, from the iPad (9th generation), iPad Air (4th generation), iPad mini (6th generation) and iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation) up to the M5 iPad Pro. Five iPads that ran iPadOS 26 stop there: iPad (8th generation), iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation) and iPad mini (5th generation). See the iPadOS 27 supported iPads list for every model.

Which Macs get macOS 27?

Only Macs with Apple silicon, from the M1 models of 2020 onward, plus the MacBook Neo. macOS 26 Tahoe was the last version for Intel Macs. The current public release is macOS 27.0.1, and macOS 27.2 is at beta 4. Our macOS 27 supported Macs guide lists every model.

Does Apple Intelligence work everywhere?

Hardware is only part of it. Apple Intelligence also depends on your language and region settings, not just the iPhone model. The details are in Apple Intelligence in iOS 27: devices, regions and features.

Installing the beta

Do I need a beta profile?

No. Configuration profiles were retired in 2023. Beta access is tied to your Apple Account and switched on in Settings › General › Software Update › Beta Updates. Any site still offering an iOS 27 profile download is out of date.

Should I choose the developer beta or the public beta?

Choose the public beta unless you build apps. Developer builds arrive first and are aimed at testing apps; public builds come once Apple considers them steadier. Both are free, and you can switch between them in the same menu.

How much free space do I need?

For an over-the-air install, plan on around 8 to 10 GB free. If you are short on space, installing from an IPSW on a computer needs far less room on the iPhone, because the file downloads to the computer instead.

Can I install iOS 27 without Wi-Fi?

Yes, from a computer. Download the IPSW for your model, connect the iPhone to a Mac or PC and restore it with Finder or the Apple Devices app. A restore erases the iPhone, so back up first. Every file is listed, with its signing status, on our IPSW pages.

How do I back up before installing?

Connect the iPhone to a Mac (Finder) or a Windows PC (Apple Devices app), turn on Encrypt local backup so passwords and Health data are included, and click Back Up Now. Then archive or copy that backup so a later one does not replace it. It is the only backup that can be restored onto iOS 26 if you go back.

Our step-by-step guide on how to download the iOS 27 beta covers the whole process.

Features

What is new in iOS 27?

Our iOS 27 features list covers the changes in detail. iOS 27 builds on the Liquid Glass design that Apple introduced in iOS 26, so the look will be familiar if you used iOS 26.

Are features still changing?

On the beta, yes. Features can appear, change or be removed between builds, and something you see in iOS 27.2 beta 4 may look different in the final 27.2 release.

Problems and fixes

Why is my battery draining after the update?

For the first few days after a major update, the iPhone reindexes photos, messages and search, which uses more power. If drain continues after that, check Settings › Battery for the app responsible and turn off Background App Refresh for apps you rarely use.

Why do some apps crash on iOS 27?

Usually because the app has not been updated for the new version yet. Update it from the App Store, then delete and reinstall it if it still crashes, and report it to the developer.

The beta does not show up in Settings. What now?

Check that the Apple Account signed in under Settings › [your name] is the one you enrolled, restart the iPhone and open Software Update again. Also confirm your model is supported.

Wi-Fi or Bluetooth stopped working after updating

Toggle Airplane Mode, restart the iPhone and forget and rejoin the network. If that fails, reset network settings in Settings › General › Transfer or Reset iPhone › Reset. That clears saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairings but no personal data. Known issues for each build are tracked on our iOS 27 bugs page.

How do I report a bug to Apple?

Use the Feedback Assistant app on the beta or feedbackassistant.apple.com. Describe the steps that cause the problem, what you expected and what happened, and attach a screen recording if you can.

Leaving the beta and downgrading

What happens to my data if I downgrade?

A downgrade erases the iPhone. Afterwards you can restore a backup made before you installed iOS 27, but not one made on iOS 27. Anything synced to iCloud, such as iCloud Photos, comes back when you sign in. Anything that existed only on the iPhone and only in an iOS 27 backup is lost.

How long can I still downgrade?

Only while Apple signs an iOS 26 version for your device. Right now that is iOS 26.6.1 RC (23G82) for iPhones and iPads that run iPadOS 27; older iPads that stop at iPadOS 26 get iPadOS 26.7.1. Apple can stop signing at any time, and once it does, that version can no longer be installed. The full process is in our guide on how to downgrade iOS 27 beta to iOS 26.

What to do next

If your question is about installing, start with the install guide linked above. If it is not answered here, our contact page reaches the editors directly.

Frequently asked questions