Apple seeded the second developer beta of iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 on June 22, 2026, approximately two weeks after the first beta shipped following WWDC 2026. Build number 24A5370h is available through Settings > General > Software Update for registered developers. A public beta is expected in July, with the final release slated for September alongside new iPhone hardware.
Write with Siri Replaces Writing Tools
The most immediately visible change in beta 2 is a "Write with Siri" button that now appears above the keyboard in Notes, Mail, Messages, and other supported apps. It replaces the previous Writing Tools shortcut, giving users a direct path to Siri's AI writing assistance without navigating through menus. The change is part of Apple's broader push to make Apple Intelligence features feel native and discoverable across the OS.
Apple Wallet Insights Expands Regions
Apple Wallet's Insights feature — which surfaces spending summaries, recurring transactions, and account balance information — is now rolling out to more regions and card types. It was previously restricted to select markets and card issuers.
RCS Messaging Gets Inline Replies and Better Reactions
RCS in Messages now supports replying inline to specific messages in conversations with Android users — closing a gap that had long made cross-platform group chats awkward. Reactions on images and videos now render as emoji rather than text descriptions, aligning RCS behavior more closely with iMessage.
Home App, AirPods Max 2, and Photos Updates
- Remote Apple TV updates: The Home app can now push firmware updates to an Apple TV 4K directly, without any interaction needed on the TV itself — the same capability already available for HomePod.
- AirPods Max 2 firmware fix: A known issue from beta 1 that blocked AirPods Max 2 firmware updates is resolved in beta 2.
- RAW photo support: Apple Intelligence editing tools now work on RAW image files in Photos, extending support beyond standard formats.
- iPhone Mirroring: Stability between iOS 27 and macOS 27 Golden Gate is improved after crash issues in beta 1.
What's Still Coming
Siri's Expressive Voice options — Pace and Expressivity — are marked as "Coming Soon" in beta 2, indicating they are in the pipeline but not yet active. A standalone Siri app for managing AI conversations is also still being refined. The full Apple Intelligence suite, including Visual Intelligence and redesigned Siri, continues to evolve across betas.
Note: AirPort Utility will no longer be available for new downloads in iOS 27, with existing installs potentially facing compatibility issues.
Compatible Devices and Beta Caution
iOS 27 supports iPhone 11 and later, plus iPhone SE (2nd generation) and newer. Full Apple Intelligence features require newer hardware — generally iPhone 15 Pro or later for the most demanding capabilities. Apple cautions developers to expect "bugs, battery life issues, app compatibility problems, and other rough edges" at this stage of the beta cycle.
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