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Apple made the iOS 27 developer beta available during WWDC last month, and starting today, you can download the public beta. Most iPhone users will receive the free iOS 27 software update this fall, when it's widely available, though timing may vary by carrier, region, and local regulations.
Also: What's new with iPhone 18 Pro Max? Guess correctly for a chance to win an Apple Watch
While the iOS 27 general release is still a couple of months away, you can now install the public beta on your iPhone, as well as the developer beta version. iOS 27 is the successor to iOS 26, the most current operating system for iPhones.
Before you download a beta version of any operating system, keep these housekeeping items in mind: back up your device, avoid using your everyday iPhone, and remember that developer betas can be riddled with bugs.
How to install the iOS 27 public beta
What you need: An iPhone running iOS 17 or later to install iOS 27 public beta after next month. Since not all iPhones are compatible with iOS 27, you'll also need an iPhone 11 model or newer.
Go to your iPhone's Settings and select General. Go to Software Update in Settings. Enable Beta Updates. To enable Beta Updates, go to Beta Updates and select the iOS version you'd like to access. This setting is turned off by default on iPhones. Select iOS 27 Public Beta. Then you'll begin receiving automatic software updates to the latest iOS 27 beta. (By the time the public beta is released, Apple will have two beta versions of iOS: iOS 27 public beta and iOS 27 developer beta.) Once you do this, return to the previous page. If an update is available now, your iPhone will prompt you to download and install it.
FAQs When will iOS 27 be released? Apple released the iOS 27 developer beta during WWDC 2026, and the public beta version was just released in July. If past years are any indication, the general release of iOS 27 will take place in September, following the iPhone 18 event. How do I install iOS 27 when it's available? The public release of iOS 27 is expected this September. Depending on the carrier, region, and local restrictions, iPhone users will be able to upgrade after it's available. Go to your iPhone's Settings and select General. Within General, tap on Software Update. When iOS 27 is available for your iPhone, you'll see the option to download it here. After you agree to download and install iOS 27, you can wait for your iPhone to finish installing the update. Which iPhones are compatible with iOS 27? Apple removed the iPhone X lineup and SE 2nd Generation from its list of supported devices with iOS 27, so any iPhone 11 or newer is compatible with the new operating system, including the new iPhone SE and iPhone Air. How do I install the iOS 27 developer beta version? You'll need a compatible iPhone running iOS 17 or later. Since not all iPhones support iOS 27, you'll also need a model newer than the iPhone 11. Go to the App Store on your iPhone and download the Apple Developer app. Also: Will your iPhone support Siri AI? The answer is complicated If you aren't already a member of the Apple Developer Program, you can sign up to become one in the app. There's a free tier that lets you test developer beta versions of iOS and a paid subscription that gives you in-depth access to comprehensive development tools, code-level support, app management, and more. An annual membership costs $99. Navigate to your settings to install the iOS 27 developer beta using an Apple ID enrolled in the Apple Developer Program: Go to your iPhone Settings. Tap General. Select Software Update. Go to Beta Updates. Choose the iOS 27 Developer Beta. If you can't see this option, go to Settings, select Privacy & Security, and enable Developer Mode. Also: I tested iOS 27's new AI photo editing tools as a skeptic - and the results surprised me What to do before installing the iOS 27 developer beta? Join the Apple Beta program to get the latest beta versions of iOS. Before you download a beta version of an operating system, remember: Back up your device and personal information.
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