Apple has made the new iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 operating systems available on the day it also plans to offer macOS 27, watchOS 27, visionOS 27, and tvOS 27 operating systems for download to owners of compatible devices.
This year’s major software updates are headlined by the launch of Siri AI – the next-generation generative AI assistant powered, in part, by Google Gemini. It’ll offer more personal context from within first and third party apps. There are also several Apple Intelligence improvements pertaining to image generation and editing, as well as refinements to Apple’s Liquid Glass UI.
On iPhone and iPad users can head to Settings > General > Software Update to manually download the updates.
On Mac, once the update drops on Monday, it’s System Settings > General > Software Updates. On Apple Watch, you’ll need to traverse to the Watch app on your iPhone, then go to General > Software Updates. Apple TV owners (who are the only ones who won’t have access to Siri AI at this stage) can find the update at Settings > System > Software Updates. On Apple Vision Pro, it’s Settings > General > Software Update.
From there, it’s the usual case of being on a WiFi network, having enough storage space to house the download size and enough battery to make it through the process. It’s always best if you can be connected to power during that process just in case. Those with automatic updates enabled will see it downloaded in the background and will be encouraged to restart their device to install.
Apple announced the release of iOS 27 to be on September 14 during the September 9 ‘surprise and shine’ hardware event. The new iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone Duo and Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 will all come with the new operating systems built in.
Read more: Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max puts a variable aperture camera in your pocket – and up to 30 hours of battery life
For current iPhone users, compatibility begins with the iPhone 11 range from 2019, which means every device that supported iOS 26 is compatible with iOS 27. iPad owners will need a device released in 2021 or later.
Apple Watch owners didn’t get such good news. watchOS 27 cuts off the original Apple Watch Ultra. Indeed, along with the new hardware, only five existing Apple Watch models are compatible. They are Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 2, Apple Watch Ultra 3.
On Mac, this is the first time Apple has completely cut off Intel-based Macs from the new operating system. You’ll need an M-Series Apple Silicon model to take advantage of the new software.
Enjoy playing with the new software as it lands. More features will follow in the months to come as Apple rounds out the proposition.
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