Apple opens developer access to iOS, iPadOS and macOS 27 betas
Enrolled developers can now test Siri AI revamps, Apple Intelligence photo tools and performance updates ahead of public releases expected later this year.
Apple has released the first developer betas for iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27 following its WWDC 2026 keynote presentation on 8 June 2026. Enrolled members of the Apple Developer Program can now download the software directly via the Settings app on their respective devices. The company has also made new developer previews available for watchOS, tvOS and visionOS, completing the rollout of its annual software suite.
The initial betas incorporate many, though not all, of the features unveiled during the conference. Apple has confirmed that additional capabilities will be delivered in subsequent previews throughout the development cycle. The current builds include a significant overhaul of Siri AI, described as the long-promised revamp of the digital assistant that the company has been working on since 2024.
Beyond the assistant update, the software introduces new Apple Intelligence features for photo editing and performance improvements across iOS and iPadOS. The Shortcuts app has also been integrated with Apple Intelligence to support automation via natural language processing, marking a shift in how users interact with multi-app actions. Additionally, iOS 27 will introduce manual EQ controls for AirPods, addressing hardware-specific audio customisation.
These early builds are designed to allow developers to preview the upcoming operating systems and begin incorporating enhancements into their applications ahead of the public launch. The Verge conducted a technical deep dive with Apple Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi following the keynote to examine the underlying architecture of these changes.
Public betas are expected to be released sometime later this summer, with final public versions of the operating systems scheduled for the autumn. While the specific implementation details for features such as the manual EQ controls remain unclear, the release marks the beginning of the testing phase for the next generation of Apple’s software ecosystem.
