Apple's iOS 27 Update: Every Major Feature Coming to Your iPhone

Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2026 has officially wrapped, and the centerpiece of the event is iOS 27. While the tech giant dedicated much of its keynote to the flashy new Apple Intelligence features, the upcoming operating system is also packed with practical, everyday utilities. From a completely rebuilt Siri to seamless bill-splitting in Apple Wallet, the update aims to make the iPhone both smarter and more efficient. For hundreds of millions of users, the fall release will fundamentally change how they interact with their devices, blending advanced artificial intelligence with highly requested quality-of-life improvements.[1][5]

The most highly anticipated change is the evolution of Siri. Shedding its familiar glowing orb, the virtual assistant now features a sleek "Liquid Glass" interface that drops down from the Dynamic Island. But the upgrade is more than cosmetic. Siri has been transformed into a fully-fledged AI tool with on-screen awareness, allowing it to understand personal context and take multi-step actions across different apps. Users can now ask Siri to perform complex tasks, such as finding a specific photo and attaching it to an email, without ever touching the screen.[1][5]

In a major strategic shift, Apple is also opening its ecosystem to third-party AI models. When Siri encounters a complex query it cannot handle on-device, it can now route the request to Google's Gemini or OpenAI's ChatGPT, depending on user preference. This orchestration approach signals a multi-model future for Apple, allowing users to leverage the best available artificial intelligence without downloading separate applications. Developers can also tap into this routing infrastructure, integrating Apple Intelligence features directly into their own software through the new App Intents framework.[6]

Beyond AI, iOS 27 introduces significant quality-of-life improvements to Apple Wallet. Users can now split bills effortlessly using Apple Cash and Visual Intelligence. By simply scanning a physical restaurant receipt with the iPhone camera, the software automatically calculates individual totals, accounts for tips and taxes, and sends payment requests directly to friends via Messages. This native functionality eliminates the need for third-party bill-splitting applications and keeps financial transactions securely within the Apple ecosystem, streamlining the often-awkward process of settling up after a group dinner.[5]

The Wallet app is also gaining native support for custom passes. Previously, users had to rely on third-party apps to generate digital cards for local gyms, independent venues, or niche loyalty programs. Now, iOS 27 allows users to create and store these passes directly, complete with customizable design templates and QR codes. Once created, these digital passes automatically sync to the Apple Watch, allowing users to scan through turnstiles or check into facilities with a quick raise of the wrist.[2]

Health and fitness tracking receive notable updates, particularly for women navigating life transitions. Apple Fitness+ is launching "Strong Through Menopause," a progressive three-week program featuring weekly yoga and strength workouts designed to improve balance, maintain muscle mass, and reduce stress. This targeted content complements the new perimenopause and menopause support added to the native Cycle Tracking app in iOS 27, reflecting Apple's ongoing push to provide comprehensive, stage-of-life health metrics. The update also includes a new audio episode of "Time to Walk" featuring actor Busy Philipps discussing her own perimenopause journey.[5]

For runners, cyclists, and daily walkers, the native Fitness app is getting a much-needed visual overhaul. Workout summaries have been completely redesigned to feature personal route maps front and center, alongside neatly stacked performance metrics like pace, elevation, and heart rate. The new layout is specifically optimized to be highly shareable, allowing users to post their athletic achievements directly to social media platforms like Instagram without needing to export data to third-party design tools. This change brings Apple's native fitness tracking closer to the community-focused aesthetics of dedicated sports apps.[2]

Text input and dictation are also seeing refinements. Apple has introduced a new, highly accurate dictation software model designed to understand natural speech patterns and complex formatting. However, this advanced system will be exclusive to the newer iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air models, leaving older devices with the legacy dictation engine. For all users, the built-in keyboard now features a dedicated paste shortcut directly in the predictive text bar, eliminating the need to long-press on the screen to insert copied text.[2][3]

In the Messages app, Apple is clearing up long-standing confusion around audio controls. A new universal Settings toggle allows users to dictate whether the microphone button in the text field triggers voice-to-text dictation or records an audio message, standardizing the behavior across all chats instead of alternating based on recent usage. Meanwhile, Apple Music is refreshing its interface, introducing redesigned artist and album pages. The new layout allows the musician's imagery to elegantly blend into the content below, dictating the color scheme of the full page and creating a more immersive browsing experience for listeners.[2][4]

Finally, iOS 27 brings a Mac-inspired Recovery Mode to the iPhone. If users encounter severe software issues, they can boot into a dedicated menu offering options like Recovery Assist, Diagnostics Mode, and Software Update, making troubleshooting significantly easier without requiring a computer connection. The developer beta for iOS 27 is available now, with a public beta scheduled for July and a full release expected this September. As developers begin testing the new tools, everyday users can look forward to an update that makes their devices noticeably more capable.[2]