Apple has released the iOS 27 public beta 1 update, bringing Siri AI to general iPhone users. This is the first public beta build of iOS 27 since WWDC 2026 and builds on the iOS 27 developer beta 3 update, which was seeded last week.
iOS 27 Public Beta 1 Update: What's New?
The biggest highlight feature in iOS 27 is undoubtedly the new Siri app. With the iOS 27 public beta 1 release, the Cupertino brand has expanded access to the completely redesigned Siri AI experience, bringing a modern AI refresh to the chatbot, with dedicated app support and a chat-style interface for natural conversations.
Siri AI also works flawlessly with voice inputs by using Large Language Models (LLMs) designed to work seamlessly across Apple products and services. Thanks to Google Gemini integration in Siri, users can have back-and-forth conversations with Siri, similar to ChatGPT.
Moreover, Siri AI is context-aware and can provide deeper personalised recommendations based on locally stored data like photos, mail, messages, notes and more on eligible iPhones. Not to mention, Siri AI also has a new interface, appearing as a bubble surrounding the Dynamic Island, showing a "Search or Ask" field. Users can activate this feature with a new swipe-down from Dynamic Island gesture.
Moving on, with the iOS 27 public beta 1 update, Apple is introducing the new Liquid Glass slider to iOS 27 that lets users adjust the intensity of transparency effects. The toggle lets users switch the Liquid Glass look between a full-blown transparent effect and a more translucent frosted look, giving them the freedom to choose their preferred setting.
The first iOS 27 public beta release has also introduced a bunch of new Apple Intelligence features, which were previously rolled out through iOS 27 developer beta updates. It includes a new Photos app Reframe tool, which allows users to change the perspective of Spatial Photos after an image is taken. There are also the Clean Up and Extend features, which make use of Apple Intelligence to unlock advanced photo editing.
Aside from that, the iOS 27 public beta 1 update also unlocks advanced Parental Controls, which were showcased during the WWDC 2026 event. This lets parents select a few essential apps, set up Ask to Buy so the kids don't make unwanted purchases and bring an Ask to Browse feature which will require kids to take permission from parents to open websites. The very useful Shortcuts app has been injected with AI in iOS 27, letting users create shortcuts easily via prompts.
Apple has also upgraded Visual Intelligence by integrating with Siri AI and bringing a dedicated Siri Mode to the Camera app. Rest, there is now support for passes inside Apple Wallet, a custom EQ for AirPods and AI-generated Safari extensions support.
That said, the iOS 27 public beta 1 update can be downloaded by heading over to Settings -> General -> Software Update -> Beta Updates on eligible iPhones. For more clarity, those who are at least on the iPhone 11 can get the update, although the more advanced AI features will be limited to Apple Intelligence eligible devices only.
With the first iOS 27 public beta release out of the way, expect Apple to release further public beta builds before announcing the stable version in September 2026 with the iPhone 18 Pro series and the foldable iPhone Ultra.
