More than three weeks after Apple released iOS 27 to the general public, the tech giant released the second public beta of <a href="https://cc.cnet.com/v1/otc/04Yxjj1rHOmYAxbnVDhvKNn?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdeveloper.apple.com%2Fnews%2Freleases%2F&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnet.com%2Ftech%2Fmobile%2Fapple-iphone-ios-27-2%2F” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank”>iOS 27.2 on Oct. 6. While iOS 27 brought Siri AI and more to your device, this early look at iOS 27.2 shows Siri AI expanding to other languages and a few upgrades in other apps, such as FaceTime.
If you’re wondering what happened to iOS 27.1, Apple has said the foldable iPhone Duo will launch on 27.1 next month, and all devices will be able to update to 27.2 sometime later.
Apple
Since this is a beta, I recommend downloading it only on something other than your primary device. This isn’t the final version of iOS 27.2, so the update might be buggy and battery life may be short — it’s best to keep those troubles on a secondary device.
Also, since this isn’t the final version, more features could end up landing on your iPhone when Apple releases iOS 27.2.
Here are some features developers and beta testers can try now in the second iOS 27.2 public beta. Apple has not said when exactly it will release iOS 27.2 to the general public, but we expect it to land on devices in October.
Siri AI in more languages
In iOS 27, Siri AI is only available in English. And the iOS 27.2 beta expands Siri AI to French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish.
Apple previously said Siri AI would expand to these additional languages, so this shows the company moving quickly on that promise.
Use front and rear cameras simultaneously in Facetime
In the iOS 27.2 beta, you can use your front and rear facing cameras at the same time in Facetime calls. This allows you to Facetime call with a larger group of people — you don’t have to squeeze everyone into a single frame in order to see the person on the other end of the call. However, everyone on the call needs to be on iOS 27 or later for this feature to work.
An anti-snatching feature
According to 9to5Mac, code within the iOS 27.2 beta shows a feature called AutoLock. This is reportedly an anti-theft feature that can lock your device if it detects it’s been snatched out of your hand. For example, AutoLock could lock your iPhone if it detects a sharp acceleration, as if it was snatched out of your hands, or if your device has been unlocked for an extended period of time.
It’s important to note that this feature is not a user-facing option on your iPhone in this beta. Rather, 9to5Mac has reportedly seen internal code related to the feature. That means this feature may not be available when Apple releases iOS 27.2 in October.
Refreshed Podcasts options
The Podcasts app also gets an update in the iOS 27.2 beta. The beta introduces two rows to the top of the Home tab within the app: New Episodes and Continue Playing. This can help you keep track of what podcasts are new and what podcasts you still have to finish.
It’s a small, pleasant addition to the interface, and I appreciate how it helps keep my podcasts organized.
Apple TV profile expansion
In the beta of iOS 27.2, you can create TV Profiles in your Apple TV app. You can assign a profile to your child or someone else and ensure your preferences aren’t messed with.
So if you’re tired of being recommended kids shows after letting your child watch the series Shape Island, you can create a profile for your child and let them watch those quirky little shapes all they want. (But also, it’s possible that I like Shape Island more than my son does, so you should check it out.)
Apple TV multiview on iOS
Another Apple TV update in the iOS 27.2 beta is Multiview. Developers and beta testers who subscribe to Apple TV can watch up to four live sports streams, including streams from Major League Soccer and Formula 1, at once. That way, you don’t miss an important game, or you can look at a map of the racecourse while watching feeds from driver-view cameras.
Updated Health app
Developers and beta testers can see a redesigned Health app in the iOS 27.2 beta. The redesigned app introduces some new features and changes some others.
The Insights tab can give you a look at your daily metrics, such as sleep and fitness activity, and personalized summaries near the top of the page.
The new Longevity tab analyzes health from your devices, like your Apple Watch and iPhone, and creates visualizations for that information. You can also try new movement assessments in this tab, like for flexibility and hearing health. Some of these assessments require you to perform an activity for a few minutes on camera so the app can analyze your movements.
Apple
The redesigned Health app also lets you see your Health Age, which reflects how your daily habits might influence your body. So depending on your habits, this number could go up or down relative to your actual age.
However, the redesign is expected to launch sometime later this year, despite being featured in this beta.
Those are a few of the new features developers and beta testers can try now with the second public beta of iOS 27.2. There will likely be more betas before the OS is released to the public.
For more, here’s what to know about iOS 27 and why your battery might be draining faster after updating. You can also check out why the iPhone Duo will launch with iOS 27.1.
