Apple is trucking ahead in preparation for the launch of iOS 27 this fall. Today, the company seeded the second beta of its upcoming operating systems to developers. The latest version expands on some of the features discussed during WWDC 2026, most notably those centered on the new and (hopefully) improved Siri. The same new features appear to be present across the beta 2 versions of iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27 that dropped today, echoing the more holistic approach toward new features Apple took during that keynote presentation.
Testers will likely uncover additional details as they spend more time with the latest beta, but we have a rundown of the major updates. Write with Siri has rolled out as a replacement for the old AI-powered Writing Tools prompt on both iPhone and iPads running the latest OS. A large prompt with the words "Write with Siri" will appear above the keyboard before you start typing anything, and it will shrink to just the Siri icon if you begin writing without the chatbot's help. This marks a significant shift in how Apple integrates its voice assistant into text input. The Writing Tools feature, introduced in iOS 18, allowed users to rewrite, proofread, and summarize text. Now, Apple is positioning Siri as the primary interface for these tools, which could streamline workflows but also raises questions about user preference for manual editing versus AI assistance.
The other Siri features in this beta appear to be incremental changes, like faster performance and labeling elements of the Expressive Voice preview as "coming soon." The Expressive Voice capability was announced at WWDC as a way for Siri to convey emotion and tone in its vocal responses. While not fully baked yet, its presence in the beta suggests Apple is fine-tuning the underlying technology. Historically, Siri has lagged behind competitors like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa in natural language understanding and conversational ability. With iOS 27, Apple is doubling down on on-device processing and privacy, which could give Siri an edge in speed and security. The beta also hints at deeper integration with third-party apps, though details remain scarce.
We also noted some welcome updates for RCS communications within the Messages app. We've been seeing more and more synergy and security between Apple and non-Apple device texts in recent months, and the new beta continues that trend. The latest version of iOS 27 introduces support for message reactions and in-line replies for RCS. This brings the RCS experience closer to iMessage parity, which is crucial as Apple gradually adopts the standard to improve cross-platform messaging. RCS (Rich Communication Services) has been promoted by Google and mobile carriers as a replacement for SMS, offering features like typing indicators, read receipts, and high-resolution media sharing. Apple announced support for RCS in late 2023, rolling it out with iOS 18. Since then, each update has added more capabilities. Now, being able to thumbs-up a text from an Android user or reply directly to a specific message eliminates one of the biggest pain points in mixed-platform conversations.
The improvements to RCS also include enhanced encryption messaging, though Apple has not yet implemented end-to-end encryption for RCS chats. That remains a sticking point for privacy advocates, but the company has indicated it is working with the GSM Association to incorporate stronger security. In the meantime, this beta demonstrates Apple's commitment to smoothing out the user experience for those who communicate across the iPhone-Android divide. Small changes like reaction support can have outsized impact given the volume of daily messages exchanged.
Other changes include improved iPhone Mirroring in macOS Golden Gate that resolved some issues from beta 1. iPhone Mirroring allows users to view and control their iPhone screen directly from their Mac, a feature that debuted in macOS Sequoia. With the new update, connectivity is more reliable, and latency has been reduced. Users can now drag and drop files between devices more seamlessly. This feature is particularly useful for power users who juggle multiple devices or developers testing apps. Additionally, an update allows AirPods Max 2 to update firmware directly from the iPhone or iPad without needing a Mac. This simplifies the update process and ensures users always have the latest audio improvements and bug fixes.
Beyond these headline features, beta 2 likely includes hundreds of other tweaks and bug fixes. For instance, developers have noticed changes in the Settings app reorganisation, with new menus for AI preferences and default apps. The beta also refines the new lock screen widgets introduced in iOS 27, making them more interactive. Apple has been slowly opening up widget support since iOS 14, and now with live data updates, widgets can display real-time information like stock prices or sports scores without opening the app.
From a developer perspective, the beta introduces new APIs for the SiriKit, allowing apps to trigger Siri actions with more context. For example, a restaurant app could ask Siri to make a reservation, and Siri would handle the date, time, and party size based on previous conversations. This kind of deep integration is what Apple hopes will make Siri a true virtual assistant rather than a simple command taker. However, competition remains fierce, and Apple's privacy-first approach sometimes limits the data available for personalisation.
Looking back at the history of iOS betas, Apple typically releases a developer beta in June following WWDC, followed by a public beta in July. Beta 2 usually brings significant refinements based on early developer feedback. This year, the cycle seems on track, with beta 2 arriving roughly two weeks after beta 1. Many users are eager to test the new features on their daily drivers, but caution is advised as betas often contain bugs and battery drain issues. Apple provides feedback channels through the Feedback Assistant app, and developers have already reported numerous issues to be addressed in upcoming builds.
The broader context of iOS 27 is Apple's push toward artificial intelligence. With the success of ChatGPT and other large language models, Apple has been investing heavily in on-device AI. The Write with Siri feature is just one example; others include AI-generated photo edits, smart calendar scheduling, and predictive text improvements. During WWDC, Apple emphasised that these capabilities run locally on the device’s Neural Engine, ensuring privacy. The company has also been hiring AI researchers and acquiring startups to bolster its machine learning capabilities. This strategic shift could define the iPhone for the next decade, much like the App Store defined its second decade.
In terms of performance, early benchmarks show that iOS 27 beta 2 runs smoothly on iPhone 16 and newer models, but older devices like the iPhone 13 may see some lag. Apple has not provided a list of compatible devices, but historically each major iOS version drops support for the oldest generation. iOS 27 is expected to support iPhone 12 and later, aligning with the three-year support window for major updates.
Finally, the beta also includes under-the-hood improvements for battery management. Apple’s battery health algorithms have been updated to better predict degradation, and charging optimisation features have been refined to reduce wear. While these changes are less visible, they contribute to the overall user experience and device longevity.
We'll be keeping an eye out for any other intriguing changes as the operating systems' official launch window draws nearer. Public beta is expected in July, with the final release likely in September alongside the new iPhone lineup. Developers can download the beta now from the Apple Developer Center, and users enrolled in the Apple Beta Software Program will have access next month. Stay tuned for further updates as more features are discovered and polished over the coming weeks.
Source: Engadget News