The latest generation of Apple software introduces expanded Apple Intelligence, stronger parental controls, performance upgrades and improvements across iPhone, iPad, Mac and other devices
Apple has begun rolling out its latest generation of software updates, bringing a major expansion of Apple Intelligence alongside new parental controls, performance improvements and redesigned features across its ecosystem.
The updates are being introduced across iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, visionOS 27 and tvOS 27, with Apple positioning the releases as a significant upgrade to the everyday experience of using its devices.
Apple Intelligence Gets Smarter Across Everyday Apps
Artificial intelligence is one of the biggest areas of focus in the new software generation.
Apple Intelligence is being integrated more deeply into apps people use every day, including Photos and Safari.
In Photos, users gain Spatial Reframing, Extend and an upgraded Clean Up tool, providing additional ways to edit images. Image Playground can also generate images in a wide range of styles, including photorealistic content.
Apple says generated and AI-edited images will carry metadata, while upcoming support for the SynthID standard will provide another way of identifying content created or modified using artificial intelligence.
Safari is also receiving new AI-powered capabilities. Apple Intelligence can automatically organise tabs into topics, alert users when websites change — including when products are restocked or prices drop — and allow users to create custom extensions from written descriptions.
Another feature, Call Context, can surface useful information such as reservation numbers or confirmation codes when users call businesses.
Apple Expands Parental Controls
Apple is also placing greater emphasis on child safety.
A redesigned setup process for child accounts allows parents to select which apps their children can access and gradually expand that access over time.
The new Ask to Browse feature lets parents require approval before a child visits a new website in Safari, while Communication Safety has been expanded to detect and intervene when gore or violent material appears in shared images and videos.
Screen Time has also been redesigned to give parents a clearer overview of device usage and children’s most-used apps.
Parents can establish daily time allowances across categories such as Entertainment, Games and Social Media, while Schedules can determine which apps are available during different parts of the day.
iPhones and iPads Get Major Speed Boosts
Performance is another major focus of Apple’s latest releases.
According to Apple’s own testing, apps on iPhone and iPad can launch up to 30% faster, photos can load up to 70% faster after being taken and AirDrop transfers can be up to 80% faster.
On iPad, browsing and transferring files to an external USB drive can be up to five times faster, while multitasking improvements target window closing, switching and dragging.
Mac users can expect improvements to AirDrop, iCloud Photos uploads, Mission Control and switching between spaces, while music playback on Apple Watch has also been accelerated.
Connectivity, Search and Liquid Glass Get Refined
Apple has made changes to connectivity across its devices, including smoother transitions between cellular and Wi-Fi networks on iPhone and iPad.
Messages can now continue sending texts while large photos or videos are still being delivered over slower connections.
Search across Spotlight, Photos and Mail has also been updated to improve stability and relevance, with Mail introducing a new ranking system for Top Hits.
Apple’s Liquid Glass design language receives further refinements as well. Users can now adjust its appearance through a new slider in Settings, ranging from an ultraclear appearance to a fully tinted look.
AirPods, Maps, Apple Watch and Apple TV Also Get New Features
The update extends well beyond Apple’s biggest operating systems.
iCloud Shared Albums now support full-resolution photos and videos while making it easier for Android and Windows users to participate.
AirPods receive custom EQ options, while expanded Apple GymKit functionality allows AirPods Pro 3 users to sync heart-rate data through their iPhone.
Apple Maps introduces an enhanced Flyover experience combining aerial imagery with AI, while Apple Watch gains new Smart Stack suggestions and a single-handed tap gesture for opening widgets.
Apple Vision Pro users can turn panoramic photographs into spatial scenes and access a new Iceland-inspired Thórsmörk Environment.
Apple TV, meanwhile, receives high-resolution lossless audio support for Apple Music, a redesigned Podcasts app and expanded text-size accessibility options.
Siri AI Begins Its Rollout
The update also marks the beginning of Apple’s Siri AI rollout.
The feature is initially launching in beta in English, with French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish expected to follow in October.
Availability will vary by region. Apple says Siri AI will initially be unavailable on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch in the European Union, while Siri AI and the new Apple Intelligence features will not initially be available in China as the company works through regulatory requirements.
Apple has also confirmed that some AI capabilities relying on server-side models will be subject to daily usage limits. These include Siri AI, intelligent photo editing, Image Playground and certain cloud models used through Shortcuts.
