How to update your iPhone to iOS 27 (Step-by-step guide)

Apple released iOS 27 on September 14, 2026, and the latest version is now iOS 27.2, which arrived on October 26, 2026. iOS 27 introduced Apple’s next-generation Siri AI, more Apple Intelligence features, Liquid Glass customization and redesigned experiences across several apps. iOS 27.2 builds on that with smarter Siri, new app features and important security fixes.

iOS 27 comes pre-installed on Apple’s latest iPhones, including the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone Duo. Owners of compatible older iPhones can download and install it for free, and anyone already on iOS 27 can update to iOS 27.2 the same way.

First, make sure your iPhone supports iOS 27. If it does, take care of a few things in advance for a smooth upgrade. Here’s everything you need to know about updating your iPhone to iOS 27.2.

What’s new in iOS 27.2?

iOS 27.2 is the second major point update to iOS 27. Here are the highlights:

• Smarter Siri AI: Siri can recall past conversations and draw on more context, including photos in Messages, Calendar attendees, voicemails and your Safari history. You can also copy part of a Siri response, and a redesigned Excluded Apps setting controls which apps Siri can use. Siri AI now supports French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish.
• Suggested Actions in Messages: Tappable shortcuts, such as tracking a package or adding an invite to Calendar, based on your conversations.
• Photos: Shared Albums let you edit captions and comments, avoid duplicate photos and get a reminder before an album expires.
• Apple TV profiles: Create profiles for people in your household. Child profiles default to PG content.
• FaceTime: Dual Capture now works in Group FaceTime, and you can add a third-party sign language interpreter or live captioner to a call.
• Other changes: A new black-and-white Apple Music icon, refreshed Podcasts and Games tabs, Multiview for live sports, new Shortcuts automations, and Apple Pencil (USB-C) support on iPhone Duo.
• Security: Fixes for more than 160 vulnerabilities, so it’s worth installing even if you don’t need the new features.

Siri AI requires an iPhone 15 Pro or later and isn’t available in the EU or mainland China. The redesigned Health app isn’t part of iOS 27.2; Apple is expected to release it later this year.

Does your iPhone support iOS 27?

The good news is that Apple didn’t drop any iPhone models from the iOS 27 compatibility list. Every iPhone that runs iOS 27 can also install iOS 27.2.

Just like iOS 26, iOS 27 supports the iPhone 11 and newer, along with the iPhone SE (2nd generation and later). Apple’s official compatibility list includes both older models and the latest 2026 iPhones.

This means iOS 18 remains the last major iOS update for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR, which Apple launched in 2018.

Complete list of iPhones that support iOS 27:

• iPhone SE (2nd & 3rd generation)
• iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16e
• iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17e
• iPhone Air
• iPhone Duo
• iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max

If your iPhone isn’t on this list, it can’t be updated to iOS 27 or iOS 27.2.

iOS 27 vs Apple Intelligence: There’s an important difference

Before you update, there’s one important distinction worth knowing.

Supporting iOS 27 doesn’t automatically mean your iPhone supports Apple Intelligence. Apple’s AI features, including the new Siri AI and the Siri upgrades in iOS 27.2, require newer hardware.

Apple Intelligence in iOS 27 is available on:

• iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 16 series, including iPhone 16e
• iPhone 17 series, including iPhone 17e
• iPhone Air
• iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max
• iPhone Duo

So, an iPhone 11 can run iOS 27.2 but can’t use Apple Intelligence or Siri AI.

How to prepare your iPhone for iOS 27.2

Before you start the update, take a few minutes to make sure you don’t lose any data or get interrupted midway.

Here’s what you should do before installing iOS 27.2:

1. Back up your iPhone

This is the single most important step. Although an iOS update normally preserves your apps, photos, messages and settings, a recent backup lets you recover your information if something goes wrong.

To back up with iCloud:

1. Go to Settings → iCloud → iCloud Backup.
2. Tap Back Up Now.

To back up with a Mac:

1. Connect your iPhone with a cable.
2. Open Finder and select your iPhone in the left sidebar.
3. Click Back Up Now.

Wait until the backup finishes before starting the installation.

2. Free up enough space

An iOS update needs several gigabytes of free space to download and temporarily unpack. If your iPhone is nearly full, the update may fail or freeze. To clear space on your iPhone, try:

• Deleting unused apps
• Removing downloaded movies or TV shows
• Deleting large video files you no longer need
• Clearing old message attachments
• Moving photos and videos to another storage service
• Removing offline music or podcast downloads

Once done, check your available space by going to Settings → General → iPhone Storage.

3. Plug in and connect to Wi-Fi

It’s best to download iOS 27.2 over a reliable Wi-Fi connection. A stable connection reduces the chance of the download being interrupted and avoids using a large amount of cellular data.

Also, plug your iPhone into a charger before you start. This prevents the battery from running out mid-installation, which can leave the update incomplete.

3 ways to install iOS 27.2 on your iPhone

Whether you’re coming from iOS 26 or an earlier iOS 27 release, there are three ways to download and install iOS 27.2 on your iPhone.

1. Manually install iOS 27.2 over the air (OTA)

Installing the latest iOS directly on your iPhone takes just a few taps:

1. Open Settings → General → Software Update.
   
2. Wait for your iPhone to check for the iOS 27.2 update.
3. Tap Update Now or Download and Install once the update appears.
4. Enter your iPhone passcode if prompted.
5. Agree to Apple’s terms and conditions.
6. Wait for the download to finish. Your iPhone will restart and complete the installation.

The process can take a while depending on your internet connection, iPhone model and Apple’s server load.

If iOS 27.2 doesn’t appear, restart your iPhone and check again.

2. Make your iPhone install updates automatically

You can also set your iPhone to download new updates like iOS 27.2 as soon as they’re available and install them overnight, so you wake up on the latest version.

Here’s how:

1. Open Settings → General → Software Update.
2. Tap Automatic Updates.
3. Toggle on the options to automatically download and install iOS updates.
4. You can also toggle on Security Responses & System Files to install important security fixes automatically.

Your iPhone will now install new updates overnight while it’s charging and connected to Wi-Fi. Apple notifies you before an update is installed.

3. Install the latest iOS using a Mac or PC (Optional)

If you can’t free up enough space on your iPhone for the over-the-air update, connect it to a computer instead. An OTA update has to download and unpack the installer on your iPhone’s internal storage, which can take several gigabytes of free space.

Updating through Finder lets your Mac download and unpack the update on its own storage, then install it directly on your iPhone.

Here’s how:

1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using an MFi-certified cable.
2. Open Finder and select your iPhone in the left sidebar.
3. Go to the General tab and click Check for Update. Your Mac will look for the iOS 27.2 update.
4. When the update appears, click Download and Update and follow the on-screen instructions.

On a Windows PC, use the Apple Devices app (or iTunes on older versions of Windows) and follow the same steps. Macs running macOS Mojave or earlier use iTunes instead of Finder.

Enjoy the new features in iOS 27.2

That’s it. Follow any of the methods above, and your iPhone will be running the latest iOS in no time. Updating is exciting, but it’s even better when it goes smoothly.

So back up your data, free up space and stay plugged in, and you’ll be ready to enjoy everything iOS 27.2 has to offer, from the smarter Siri AI to the latest security fixes.