Apple has begun rolling out major updates for its devices. Alongside iOS 27, the company released iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, visionOS 27, and other new versions of its software platforms. The biggest new feature is the new Siri with artificial intelligence capabilities, but the updates also significantly change parental controls, device performance, search, and the way a number of system apps work.

Siri gets its own AI

The main change is a new version of Siri powered by the next generation of Apple Intelligence. Apple describes it as a smarter, more conversational assistant that can take a user’s personal context into account, understand what is happening on the screen, and perform more actions within the system.

Siri can analyze information from messages, email, photos, and other data to find the information a user needs. The assistant can also answer questions about on-screen content or turn to the internet for up-to-date information.

On iPhone, Siri has been integrated directly into the Camera app. In a special mode, users can ask the assistant about what is in front of the camera and ask it to perform a related action. For example, Apple describes a scenario involving splitting a bill and sending money to friends through Apple Cash, or adding a custom pass to Wallet.

Visual Intelligence has also expanded. On iPhone, iPad, and Mac, users can ask Siri questions about what is on the screen. On Vision Pro, users can interact with the assistant while looking at the surrounding space.

At the same time, the new Siri is launching in beta for now only in English. Support for French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish is expected to arrive in October.

Siri can now work with text and save history

In iOS 27 and the other new systems, a Write with Siri mode has appeared. Users can describe what they need to write, and the assistant will prepare a draft or help edit a finished text.

In addition, Apple introduced a standalone Siri app. Conversation history syncs through iCloud, so users can start interacting with the assistant on iPhone and continue on Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, or Vision Pro.

AI has also received new tasks in other apps. Photos now includes Spatial Reframing and Extend features, and the Clean Up tool has been updated. Image Playground now allows users to create images in a wider range of styles, including photorealistic ones.

Apple is also adding tools to identify images created or edited with AI. To do this, the company plans to use metadata and support for the SynthID standard.

In Safari, AI can automatically sort open tabs by topic, notify users about changes on websites — for example, when a product becomes available or drops in price — and create custom extensions based on a text description.

Apple strengthens parental controls

In iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and the other systems, new tools for parents have appeared. Apple has redesigned the process of setting up child accounts and added more ways to control the apps, websites, and contacts a child interacts with.

The Ask to Browse feature makes it possible to require parental permission before a child visits a new website in Safari. Parents can also approve new contacts.

Communication Safety can now detect and block images and videos containing graphic or violent content.

Screen Time has also changed. Parents get clearer information about average device usage time and the most frequently launched apps. Daily limits can be set for entertainment, games, and social networking categories, while schedules make it possible to determine which apps a child can access at different times of day.

iPhone and iPad get faster

Apple says a number of everyday operations have become noticeably faster.

On iPhone and iPad, apps can now launch up to 30% faster, while photos load up to 70% faster after being taken. File transfers through AirDrop, according to Apple, are now up to 80% faster.

On iPad, file handling and transferring files to an external USB drive can be up to five times faster. The company has also improved window switching, closing windows, and drag-and-drop in multitasking.

On Mac, AirDrop and uploading photos to iCloud have been sped up, while switching between workspaces and using Mission Control has become smoother.

Apple has also improved how devices connect to networks. iPhone and iPad should switch more smoothly between cellular service and Wi-Fi. In Messages, sending large photos and videos over a weak connection should no longer block the delivery of subsequent text messages.

For Vision Pro, Apple says startup and Wi-Fi connection are now up to three times faster.

Liquid Glass gets more customization

Apple has continued refining the Liquid Glass design introduced in the previous generation of software platforms.

A slider has appeared in Settings that lets users choose the level of interface transparency themselves — from the most transparent option to a fully tinted one. The company has also updated app icons, making them sharper.

At the same time, Apple has redesigned search in Spotlight, Photos, and Mail. In the latter, a new result-ranking algorithm has appeared, which should show more relevant matches in the top results section.

Other changes

The updates affect nearly Apple’s entire ecosystem.

iCloud Shared Albums now allows users to share photos and videos in full resolution, and it has become easier for Android and Windows users to join such albums and add their own content.

The Health app now includes new perimenopause and menopause tracking features in the cycle tracking section.

AirPods now gets a custom equalizer. AirPods Pro 3 has also received expanded integration with Apple GymKit: the earbuds can transmit heart rate data through iPhone during workouts.

Apple Maps has received an updated Flyover mode with more detailed imagery created using aerial photography and AI.

On Apple Watch, Smart Stack now suggests widgets depending on the situation, and widgets can be opened with a new one-handed gesture. Workout Buddy now works even without a connected iPhone and has gained support for Spanish.

For Vision Pro, users can now turn panoramic photos into spatial scenes with a depth effect and use them as a personal environment. There is also a new Thórsmörk environment with a dynamic image of the northern lights.

Apple TV now supports high-resolution lossless multichannel audio in Apple Music, an updated Apple Podcasts app, and additional text size settings for users with accessibility needs.

Overall, iOS 27 and Apple’s other updates are not just a new interface version. At the same time, the company is expanding the capabilities of Apple Intelligence, adding new parental control tools, and speeding up many everyday operations across its devices.