Apple’s iOS 27 public beta launched in July, but yesterday, the sixth version of the public beta and the eighth version of the developer beta landed. First unveiled at Apple’s WWDC, iOS 27 will offer new features including an AI-powered Siri, a redesigned Screen Time app, more Liquid Glass customizations, and deeper Apple Intelligence integration.
No new features were introduced in these betas; instead, they focused on refining performance and correcting existing bugs. The Aug. 31 updates are meant to ensure a more stable release come September 9, when the official iOS 27 update is expected to hit.
The stable version of iOS 27 is expected soon after Apple’s Fall event next week, but you can check out some of the iPhone’s coolest features now with either the public beta or the developer beta. Like any beta software, we expect it to be a little buggier than the final release, and it could be a battery hog, so we recommend installing it on an extra device.
Here’s what’s included in the latest versions of the iOS 27 beta, which phones are compatible, and how to sign up.
How to Install the iOS 27 Public Beta on Your iPhone
To test out the public beta version of iOS 27, you’ll need to first sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program. Follow these steps:
- Visit beta.apple.com
- Sign in using the Apple Account you use on your iPhone
- Once enrolled, open your iPhone. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Tap Beta Updates, then iOS 27 Public Beta
If you want to test the iOS 27 public beta on your iPad, follow the same steps, but select the iPadOS 27 Public Beta instead.
How to Install the New iOS 27 Developer Beta on Your iPhone
If you want to join the developer beta for iOS 27, you need to register as an Apple developer. You can then access the beta by restarting your phone and navigating to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates.You should see the iOS 27 developer beta there. Note that the developer beta might not include every feature coming to iOS 27 just yet.
What Features Are Included in the New iOS 27 Public Beta?
The iOS 27 public beta includes every feature released so far across the three developer betas. You can test the long-awaited revamp of Siri, now called Siri AI. This virtual assistant is integrated across your phone, accessible via a dedicated Siri app, directly from the Dynamic Island, and seamlessly throughout the rest of the OS. The public beta also includes the new Liquid Glass customization options. You can also try our voice controls for Pace and Expressivity, which let you control how quickly or expressively Siri talks.
Other features you can explore include Write with Siri, an Insights feature in Apple Wallet, updates to iPhone-to-Android RCS chats, and more. You may be limited in what you can test, depending on your device.
Which Phones Can Install the iOS 27 Public Beta and Developer Betas?
Though it may be trimming the number of Apple Watches that work with watchOS 27, Apple’s list of compatible iPhones for iOS 27 goes all the way back to 2019’s iPhone 11. That said, many features require Apple intelligence, which only works on the iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, and up.
- iPhone 11, Pro, Pro Max
- iPhone SE (second gen and up)
- iPhone 12, mini, Pro, Pro Max
- iPhone 13, mini, Pro, Pro Max
- iPhone 14, Plus, Pro, Pro Max
- iPhone 15, Plus, Pro, Pro Max
- iPhone 16, 16e, Plus, Pro, Pro Max
- iPhone 17, 17e, Air, Pro, Pro Max
