iOS 27 is here: 50 new iPhone features you can use now

AI-Driven Interface Overhauls and Siri Enhancements

Apple has officially launched iOS 27, a significant software update that prioritizes the refinement of its flagship operating system while introducing a robust suite of new capabilities. While the company has focused heavily on bug fixes and stability, the update is defined by deep integrations of Apple Intelligence. The centerpiece of this AI push is a reimagined Siri, now context-aware and capable of handling complex tasks across the device. This generative AI era brings features like natural language processing for calendars and reminders, but the update also includes substantial improvements to core utilities like Photos, Maps, and Safari. The update is available as a free download for supported iPhone models through the Settings app.

Smarter Visuals and Photo Management

The Photos app receives several major upgrades, starting with the ability to extend images beyond their original boundaries. Using Apple Intelligence, users can now expand photos to fill the entire Lock Screen without aggressive cropping, generating matching background details that blend seamlessly with the original image. A new Reframe feature allows users to adjust the perspective and angle of subjects in photos using spatial data captured at the time of shooting, with AI filling in any missing pixels. Additionally, the Clean Up tool has been rebuilt to handle larger objects and busier backgrounds, offering Fast, High Quality, and Auto modes. Users can now create slideshows from any album or selection, customize transitions and music, and save them as videos. For organization, Apple introduced star ratings and keywords, alongside new Utilities folders: Captured by Me filters out screenshots and memes, while Identity Documents groups pictures of passports and licenses.

You can also extract single frames from videos as standalone photos and use Live Recognition in Accessibility to identify people and objects in real-time.

Communication, Messages, and Calls

Messaging and communication tools have been significantly expanded. The Messages app now supports inline replies to Android users via green bubbles, a feature previously limited to iMessage. Users can draw sketches directly in conversations using a markup-style interface and send voice messages with improved controls to prevent accidental recordings. Failed messages now retry automatically with individual progress bars, and tapback notifications are consolidated. Siri’s Writing Tools work system-wide, allowing users to draft, shorten, or change the tone of text anywhere they type, including Mail and Messages. On-screen awareness lets Siri analyze selected text or images in any app to summarize content, translate menus, or explain charts. In the Phone app, the new Call Context feature surfaces relevant information, such as reservation codes from email, during business calls without recording audio. FaceTime gains a Dual Capture mode on supported devices, allowing simultaneous use of front and back cameras.

Productivity, Safari, and Shortcuts

Safari introduces powerful organizational and creation tools. The browser can now automatically group open tabs into topic-based collections using Apple Intelligence. Users can create browser extensions by describing desired functions in plain language, with AI generating the code. A “Notify Me” feature monitors webpages for changes, alerting users when items like restocked products become available. In the Shortcuts app, users can build automations using natural language descriptions, with Apple Intelligence selecting and assembling the appropriate actions. These shortcuts can be triggered by location, time, or system events. Spotlight has been replaced by a unified Search or Ask interface accessible by swiping down, featuring a rebuilt search index for more current results. Mail search now ranks by relevance rather than date, displaying top results immediately.

Wallet, Maps, and Home Integration

The Wallet app sees an expansion of redesigned passes to include membership, gift, and loyalty cards with customizable layouts and quick actions. Users can digitize physical tickets by scanning barcodes or QR codes, creating digital passes with various themes and textures. A new Insights feature tracks spending trends by connecting bank accounts, though availability varies by region and requires an iCloud+ plan. Maps enhances its Flyover feature with sharper, more realistic aerial imagery powered by AI. A Local Lists section suggests trending places based on local insights, while privacy-focused tracking ensures no individual user data is used. The Home app generates written summaries of motion alerts from HomeKit Secure Video cameras, supporting natural language search and footage grouping, though this requires an iCloud+ subscription with at least 2TB of storage.

System Customization and Hardware Features

Users can now adjust the opacity of Liquid Glass elements in iOS 26 via a new slider in Settings, choosing between clear, tinted, or intermediate options. A compact clock mode offers an alternative Lock Screen layout for a cleaner look. AirPods gain adjustable equalizer controls for models with the H2 chip, allowing customization of lows, mids, and highs. Siri’s voice can be customized for expressiveness and pace on newer Pro models. Location sharing in Find My now supports custom durations, and users can pause sharing without notifying contacts. iPhone Handoff allows two iPhones to share a single phone number, currently supported by T-Mobile and Deutsche Telekom. GymKit enables direct pairing of iPhones with compatible gym equipment for two-way data syncing. Health tracking now includes perimenopause and menopause monitoring with tailored Fitness+ workouts. Weather updates provide hour-by-hour rain and wind forecasts, while CarPlay supports video playback only when parked. Parental controls have been reworked to require sign-off for each website visit, with enhanced Communication Safety features.

Finally, performance optimizations make apps launch faster, AirDrop transfers quicker, and battery management more efficient across older devices.