Apple has kicked off beta testing of iOS 27.2, and the update brings several notable changes and new features. Here’s everything you need to know about iOS 27.2, which will likely be released to iPhone users as soon as next month.
Why iOS 27.2 and not iOS 27.1?
Apple released iOS 27 on September 14, bringing a ton of new iPhone features, including Siri AI. iOS 27.2 entered beta testing just two days later on September 16.
What happened to iOS 27.1?
Apple previously confirmed that iPhone Duo will ship with iOS 27.1 when it’s released on October 23. This means iOS 27.1 includes many references to the iPhone Duo in its code, which Apple wants to keep under wraps until the device ships. iOS 27.1 will therefore be exclusive to the iPhone Duo.
The software paths for iPhone Duo and other iPhone models will then converge, either with an iOS 27.2.x software update or perhaps with iOS 27.3.
So, things will be awkward for a little bit, but everything will eventually return to normal.
iOS 27.2 new features
Redesigned Health app
At the iPhone 18 Pro event, Apple showcased an all-new version of the Health app that it said would be coming later this year. That new app has entered beta testing as part of iOS 27.2.
The redesigned Health app is split into three tabs: Insights, Longevity, and Browse. The app features an all-new design that dynamically adapts based on your data, including Apple Intelligence. The Longevity tab includes a new Health age feature that uses Apple Watch data to show how your metrics track relative to your actual age.
The new Health app likely won’t be released with iOS 27.2 next month. Instead, this is Apple kicking off beta testing of the new app before ultimately releasing it to everyone later this year.
The Apple TV app in iOS 27.2 adds support for profiles for the first time. This feature has been available on tvOS for several years, but this is the first time it has come to iPhone.
More Siri AI languages
Siri AI is the big new feature in iOS 27, and iOS 27.2 expands the feature to even more users. The update adds Siri AI support for the following languages:
- French
- Japanese
- Korean
- Portuguese
- Spanish
Dual Capture mode for Group FaceTime
In iOS 27, Apple added a new Dual Capture feature for FaceTime that lets you have your front and rear cameras active at the same time. The person on the other end of the call will see you as well as whatever you’re looking at. iOS 27.2 expands this feature to Group FaceTime calls for the first time.
Dual Capture requires an iPhone 17 or later, and everyone on the call needs to be running iOS 27.
Odds and ends
- In Apple Podcasts, the “Up Next” queue has been renamed to “New Episodes.” The “Continue Playing” section is directly below New Episodes. Episode lists also now use color-matched backgrounds based on the podcast art.
- In the Music app, some of the red icons and accents have been changed to black.
- iOS 27’s Call Context feature, which surfaces information right on your screen when calling a business, has been expanded to include anniversaries.
- There are small changes to the alarms interface in the Clock app, such as smaller text for the AM and PM labels.
Hints at more features to come
Finally, iOS 27.2 code hints at a handful of other new features that could come soon to iPhone users. This includes live countdowns for new album releases in Apple Music, third-party app support for Describe a Shortcut, and new themes for CarPlay Ultra. iOS 27.2 also shows Apple is continuing its work on an anti-snatching feature for iPhone.
These features aren’t live in iOS 27.2 just yet, but the code suggests they are in active development inside Apple.
iOS 27.2 release date
iOS 27.2 is expected to be released to iPhone users sometime in October. Apple promised that Siri AI would come to new languages in October, and iOS 27.2 adds those new languages, so the update needs to be released before November for Apple to hit that promise.
Wrap up
Are you running the iOS 27.2 beta? Have you found any useful new features? What do you think of the new Health app? Let us know down in the comments.
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