Customers receiving an iPhone 18 Pro, ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max, an Apple Watch Series 12, or an Apple Watch Ultra 4 tomorrow will need to install a software update right away.


The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max ship with iOS 27 variants with a 24A427 or 24A8428 version number. The launch version of ‌iOS 27‌ is version 24A437, so if you're getting an ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌, expect a software update during the setup process.

The Apple Watch Series 12 and the ‌Apple Watch Ultra 4‌ have watchOS 27 with a version number of 24R359, but the launch version of ‌watchOS 27‌ is 24R364.

We're also expecting the AirPods 5 to have a day one firmware update, though that will happen over the air. Apple recently released 9A350 AirPods firmware to add support for ‌iOS 27‌ features.

All of the new products are set to launch on Friday, September 18.
This article, "New iPhone 18 Pro Models Will Have Day One Update" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

The iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max are launching tomorrow, but we were able to get one early to share some initial impressions.


Both the 18 Pro and Pro Max are heavier than the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models they replace, and it's most noticeable when you pick up the Pro Max. It was a heavy phone to begin with, and now there's more weight (249 grams vs. 233 grams).

If you hated last year's two-tone design with the contrast between the aluminum frame and the glass back, there's good news. Apple is now matching the glass to the frame for a more uniform look.

Our review unit is Apple's new glacier color, which is a light blue that's slightly different from the other light blue shades Apple has used in the past. Unlike some of those blues, the glacier color actually looks blue and not silver. Apple is also offering the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ models in burgundy, silver, and black. We have a burgundy model on the way and will share that in the future.

There's a fancy new 2nm A20 Pro chip inside the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and Pro Max, but depending on what you're upgrading from, you might not notice much in the way of performance. iPhones have used wildly fast chips for the last several years, and you're not stressing the processor when browsing the web and scrolling social media sites. What you might notice is the new vapor chamber cooling system. It takes up three times more surface area, so the iPhone stays cooler when you are doing something that takes a little more processing power like playing a game. Battery life has improved, but that's not something we've had time to test yet. Apple says you'll get up to 36 hours of video playback with the 18 Pro and 45 hours with the 18 Pro Max.

If you're in the U.S. and buying an ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌, it will have Apple's new C2 modem, but if you get the 18 Pro Max, it's going to have a Qualcomm modem. Both models use the C2 outside of the U.S. The C2 modem has mmWave 5G for the first time, plus it's more efficient than Qualcomm modems, so it will be interesting to see some speed tests comparing the two.

Apple slimmed down the Dynamic Island by putting the infrared camera under the display, and that's the most noticeable change on the front of the device. It takes up less space, and Apple also updated it so it can show three Live Activities at once or two in more detail.

There's a new variable aperture Main camera that also has a new sensor, plus Apple tweaked its computational imaging pipeline. With a variable aperture lens, there's more control over lighting and depth of field. If it's super bright outside, the iPhone can automatically adjust the aperture to let in less light. If it's dark, a wider aperture will let in more light. There are four aperture settings in total, and it works behind the scenes so you can just snap photos as usual. You'll probably notice it most in low lighting.

If you want to control the aperture yourself, you can do so with new Pro Controls that also give you the option to adjust shutter speed and white balance. There's a histogram too so you can check exposure levels.

We'll have a full video on the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ camera system coming next week.

Pricing on the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ starts at $1,199, while the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max is priced starting at $1,299. Both new iPhones launch on September 18.
This article, "iPhone 18 Pro Unboxing: New Colors, Better Photos, and Smaller Dynamic Island" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple surprised us with the first beta of iOS 27.2 today instead of releasing an iOS 27.1 beta. Apple likely went straight to iOS 27.2 to keep iPhone Duo code under wraps for now, since we already know the ‌iPhone Duo‌ will ship with iOS 27.1 when it comes out in October.


This beta includes Apple's revamped Health app, new languages for Siri AI, and a handful of other useful tweaks.

Revamped Health App

The iOS 27.2 beta includes the redesigned Health app Apple showed off at its September iPhone event. The new app is organized into three main tabs: Insights, Longevity, and Browse.


Insights includes your most recent and relevant health info, such as vitals, sleep score, heart rate, and Activity Rings. Longevity shows your health data over time, offering up a Health Age calculated from activity level, VO2 max, sleep time, and other metrics.


The Health Age feature uses in-app assessments that take advantage of the iPhone's camera. You can measure flexibility, strength, balance, and VO2 max. The revamped Health app is only available in U.S. English.

The Health app also has a new icon.

Call Context

Apple added anniversary alerts to the Apple Intelligence Call Context feature. If you make a phone call to someone and you have an anniversary for them set in the Contacts app, you'll see a reminder in the Phone app.

CarPlay

There are themes for CarPlay Ultra that include options for wallpaper, gauge style, and color. Code suggests ambient lighting in supported vehicles will also match the color of the selected theme.

Siri AI Languages

‌Siri‌ AI is available in French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish in the iOS 27.2 beta.

Apple TV App

Apple extended Apple TV app profiles to the iPhone and iPad in iOS 27.2. ‌Apple TV‌ app users can create profiles in the account settings section, and then swap between those profiles. Profiles only require a name, profile rating, and information about whether the user is a child.


Creating an account for a child limits content to a PG rating by default, but there is a customize option for more granular control. Users can select age ratings for TV shows and movies that are appropriate for the child based on their age. Profiles are useful for parents that want to hand over an iPhone or ‌iPad‌ to a child to watch TV content while also restricting content that's not age-appropriate.

There's also a new option to turn on sign language interpretation when available. It can be toggled on in the TV app settings.

ASL FaceTime API

Back in May, Apple said it would add a new API to FaceTime allowing developers who make sign language interpretation apps to add a human interpreter to an ongoing video call.

That feature appears to be live in iOS 27.2.

Clock

Apple tweaked how alarms appear in the Clock app. The a.m. and p.m. readouts are now smaller than the time.

Music

In the Music app, some of the red accents have been removed. The Play and Shuffle buttons in Library are black instead of red, as are all of the icons next to the Library sections.

Siri

App Access in the ‌Siri‌ section of the Settings app is now named "Excluded Apps." Tapping on "Add Apps" brings up a list so multiple apps can be excluded at once. Apps previously had to be excluded one by one.


Adding an app to the Exclude list prevents it from showing up in ‌Siri‌, Search, and suggestions.

Podcasts

Apple renamed Up Next to New Episodes, with a Continue Playing option directly below it.

App Tracking Transparency

According to Apple's release notes for the update, App Tracking Transparency supports an alternative expanded prompt for EU users along with re-prompting on an annual basis. The alternative prompt is required for users in France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Romania.
This article, "Everything New in iOS 27.2 Beta 1" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple executive chairman Tim Cook is expected to attend a White House state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping, reports Bloomberg.


Cook stepped down as Apple CEO and transitioned to executive chairman on September 1, with John Ternus taking over. Part of Cook's new role includes engaging with policymakers around the world.

U.S. President Donald Trump invited Cook, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, among others. The dinner will be held next week during Xi's visit to Washington.

Cook has attended multiple state dinners with Xi. Earlier this year, Xi held a state dinner for Trump in Beijing where Cook was present, and in 2015, Cook was seated next to Xi at a state dinner then-President Barack Obama hosted.
This article, "Tim Cook to Attend White House State Dinner for Xi Jinping" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

With the iOS 27.2 beta, Apple is testing the new Health app that it previewed at its September iPhone event. The app has been entirely overhauled, with new Insights and Longevity tabs that give you more information on your health and fitness metrics.


The Insights tab shows your most recent health data, such as Activity Rings, heart rate, sleep score, and vitals. It'll eventually show personalized guidance, but that feature hasn't been added yet.

Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 owners will see a readiness score calculated from recent activity, vitals, and sleep score to help them decide whether to take a recovery day or push harder.

The Longevity tab looks at your health data over time to calculate your Health Age based on activity level, VO2 max, sleep time, and other metrics. It also uses fitness assessments you can do right on your iPhone to check flexibility, balance, and VO2 max.

Apple plans to offer a $119 laboratory panel from Quest Diagnostics, which will also contribute to the Health Age score. For now, you can upload your recent lab results.

Getting the most out of the Health app requires an Apple Watch or another fitness device that integrates with it.

While the Health app is being tested in the iOS 27.2 beta, it won't be part of the iOS 27.2 release. It will instead launch later this year.
This article, "Hands-On With the Redesigned Health App in the iOS 27.2 Beta" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

The iOS 27.2 beta that Apple released today adds a feature that reminds you it's your anniversary when you call someone, as long as you've added the date in the Contacts app.


On the date of your anniversary, when you go to call the person, you'll see a reminder that it's an important day so you don't forget to say something. The anniversary alert uses Call Context, a feature Apple added in iOS 27.

Call Context brings up information from emails and other sources when you place a phone call. If you place a call to an airline and you have an email with a flight confirmation number for that airline in the Mail app, it surfaces that confirmation number so you don't have to go digging for it.

In ‌iOS 27‌, Call Context works with birthdays, and it shows a fireworks animation when you're placing a call. iOS 27.2 adds anniversaries, but unfortunately, it doesn't come with a new animation.

The Call Context anniversary option draws from your Contacts app. To add an anniversary to a contact, open the Contacts app and select their name. Tap "Edit" in the corner, then tap "add date," and the first suggestion under date is anniversary.

You can also ask Siri AI to add the anniversary date to the person's contact card if you have a device that supports Apple Intelligence.

iOS 27.2 is in beta right now, and it is expected to launch in October.
This article, "iOS 27.2 Could Save Your Marriage" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

With iOS 27.2 and iPadOS 27.2, Apple extended Apple TV app profiles to the iOS version of the app.


Apple brought ‌Apple TV‌ profiles to tvOS with tvOS 26.2, but the feature has been limited to the ‌Apple TV‌ until now.

‌Apple TV‌ app users can create new profiles in the account settings section, which can also be used to swap between profiles. Profiles only require a name, profile rating, and information about whether the user is a child.

Creating an account for a child limits content to a PG rating by default, but there is a customize option for more granular control. Users can select age ratings for TV shows and movies that are appropriate for the child based on their age

Profiles are a useful feature for a parent that wants to hand over an iPhone or iPad to a child to watch TV or movie content because it restricts what's available without impacting what the parent sees when signed into their own account.
This article, "iOS 27.2 Adds Profiles to Apple TV App" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

In the iOS 27.2 beta, Apple Siri AI is available in new languages, including French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish.



In the launch version of iOS 27, ‌Siri‌ AI is limited to English.

Apple previously said that new ‌Siri‌ AI languages would be coming in October, so that likely means iOS 27.2 will see an October launch.


This article, "iOS 27.2 Adds Siri AI in New Languages" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

The first beta of iOS 27.2 includes Apple's redesigned Health app, giving developers a chance to try out the features ahead of launch later this year.


Apple's developer notes for the feature say the Health app is being tested in this beta, but it won't be in the launch version of iOS 27.2. It will instead come later in the year.

The Health app will incorporate Apple Intelligence to turn data and metrics collected by the Apple Watch into personalized guidance. Here are the new features we can expect:

• Insights - The Insights tab offers an Apple Intelligence-generated summary of timely information like your latest sleep metrics or a new peak in VO2 max. There are options to get custom advice on readiness, fitness, heart health, and more in the For You section.


• Personal Guidance - Personal guidance is part of the Insights tab. It knows what's important to you, and will make relevant suggestions. Apple says if you're working on your cardio, you might see a suggestion to incorporate intervals into your morning run. Recommendations adapt to each user and their data.


• Readiness - The new Apple Watch models calculate a readiness score that takes into account recent activity, vitals, and sleep score. It gives a 0–10 score with recommendations on activity level. Readouts include Recover, Pace Yourself, Ready, or Go For It. Info is shown on the watch, in the Fitness app, and in the Health app's Insights tab.


• Fitness - Insights incorporates your daily activity and it updates throughout the day.


• Vitals - The Vitals option in the Health app has new overnight views and daytime views. HRV is incorporated as a metric, offering a better look at your ability to recover from stress. It measures overall HRV and recovery HRV.


• Longevity - There is a new Longevity tab in the Health app. It uses metrics from your iPhone and Apple Watch to assess overall health across heart health, sleep, mental wellbeing, movement health, metabolic health, hearing, and nutrition. The section shows you how well you're doing in each category, and how each metric is classified against the latest clinical guidance.


• Health Age - Health Age is part of the Longevity tab. It uses metrics like VO2 max, resting heart rate, HRV, sleep, and biomarkers from blood work to determine how your health metrics compare to your actual age. It will help you figure out what habits make the biggest impact on your health, and how you can improve.

At-home health assessments like a VO2 max test will be coming to the Health app, taking advantage of the iPhone's camera to track your movements as you follow instructions from a trainer. There will be in-depth physical assessments for measuring flexibility, strength, balance, and movement mechanics in addition to VO2 max.

Apple also plans to eventually offer U.S. users the option to buy a bloodwork panel from Quest that covers more than 50 biomarkers. The test is priced at $119, and users will be able to order it right in the Health app.

Not all of the new features are going to be available in the beta. CNET says ordering labs, personalized health info in the Insights tab, and personalized recommendations will not be available until later in the year. Features are going to roll out progressively.

This article, "iOS 27.2 Beta Previews New Apple Intelligence Health App" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple is testing the next macOS Golden Gate update, and developers can download the ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ 27.2 beta as of today. The beta comes just two days after Apple launched ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ 27.0.


Registered developers can download ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ 27.2 by opening up the System Settings app, clicking on General, selecting Software Update, and opting into ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ betas.

Apple removed two Apple Intelligence features from the launch version of ‌macOS Golden Gate‌, but said they would be coming back in a future software update. It's possible the features will return as soon as the 27.2 release.

Apple delayed Suggestions in Messages, a feature that lets the Messages app offer actions based on the context of conversations. If someone asks for a photo, Messages might suggest inserting it with a tap. If someone invites you to an event, Messages can suggest adding it to the Calendar app.

Apple also pulled the ‌Apple Intelligence‌ feature that automatically updates weak and compromised passwords using Safari.
This article, "Apple Seeds First macOS Golden Gate 27.2 Beta to Developers" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming iOS 27.2 update to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming just two days after the iOS 27 launch. Apple also seeded an iPadOS 27.2 beta.


Registered developers can download the beta updates by opting in under Settings > General > Software Update and selecting the ‌iOS 27‌ developer beta.

Siri AI will be available in new languages later this year, and support could be added in iOS 27.2. Apple is adding French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish in October.

Two Apple Intelligence features were removed from the launch version of ‌iOS 27‌, and those could also be reintroduced as soon as iOS 27.2. Apple delayed suggestions in Messages conversations and the option to automatically fix compromised and weak passwords using AI.

Apple also plans to debut a new Health app experience, and we could see that in the beta as well.

Apple releasing an iOS 27.2 beta ahead of a iOS 27.1 beta is a surprise, especially because the company plans to ship the iPhone Duo with iOS 27.1. Apple may be holding iOS 27.1 until the Duo comes out, just to keep the features under wraps. iOS 27.1 will add updated app layouts and features built for the iPhone Duo's two displays. The ‌iPhone Duo‌ will have a vertical dock, vertical Dynamic Island, new dual-screen app layouts, side-by-side app multitasking, and exclusive Camera app capabilities.

Since the ‌iPhone Duo‌ will launch on Friday, October 23 and will ship with iOS 27.1, Apple will need to release the iOS 27.1 update before then. If iOS 27.2 includes new ‌Siri‌ AI languages, it too will launch sometime during the month of October.
This article, "Apple Releases First iOS 27.2 Beta" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Alongside new betas of iOS 27.2, iPadOS 27.2, and macOS Golden Gate 27.2, Apple has released the first betas of watchOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2, and visionOS 27.2. The betas come two days after the 27.0 software updates were released.


Registered developers can download the betas through the Settings app on each device.

Two new Apple Intelligence features are coming to the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 in late 2026, and Apple could start testing them as soon as watchOS 27.2. Live Rewind will allow users to double-press the Digital Crown to get a transcription of what was said in the last 15 seconds, while Siri Recap will turn conversations users have had during the day into high-level notes.

There's no word on what's being added in visionOS 27.2 and tvOS 27.2, but Apple is expected to introduce a new version of the Apple TV 4K with ‌Siri‌ AI support sometime before the end of the year.
This article, "Apple Releases First watchOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2 and visionOS 27.2 Betas" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

The iPhone 18 Pro models support Apple Reference Image, a way to verify that a photo was taken with an iPhone and hasn't been edited. Apple says it's a method to prove that something actually happened and wasn't AI-generated, likening the feature to a digital film negative.

Apple Reference Image offers a trustworthy, scalable guarantee that a reference image is what it claims to be: a real photograph, captured by a real sensor in an iPhone camera, at a specific time. It sets a new standard for verifiable digital photography.

Apple introduced Apple Reference Image when debuting the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and Pro Max, and today the company shared more information on how the feature works on its Security Research blog.

Apple Reference Image boots the camera sensor into a specialized reference mode. The mode instructs the sensor to cryptographically sign pixel data immediately after capture, and the sensor firmware is prevented from modifying the data. Other authentication systems don't sign images until the end of the software processing pipeline, which Apple says leaves images vulnerable to tampering attacks.

Apple Reference Image creates a "secure digital negative" protected from software compromise alongside a standard editable photo. The negative is stored on-device and includes pixel data, sensor metadata, and cryptographic timestamps with lower and upper bounds. When a user decides to "develop" the negative for verification, it is sent unprocessed to Private Cloud Compute. Private Cloud Compute runs the steps needed to render the image in a secure, private, and verifiable environment.

Apple says the feature resists data injection attacks, compromised operating systems, hardware attacks, and cryptographic attacks. Apple believes Apple Reference Image is the only image provenance system with quantum-secure defenses. In case the system is breached, there is a revocation option. Private Cloud Compute calculates a confidence score for each image, and Apple can revoke individual photos or an entire sensor if fraud is detected.

To safeguard photographers, Apple Reference Image avoids using an explicit, public credential for photographers, and it prevents public association between different photos taken by the same sensor. The confidentiality of the image is protected, including from Apple.

Apple Reference Image is opt-in and is limited to the Main camera sensor.

More information on the ins and outs of Apple Reference Image can be found in Apple's full blog post.
This article, "Apple Details How Reference Image Proves a Photo is Real" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

To take advantage of the iPhone Duo's dual-display design, Apple is introducing new Camera app features that are unique to the foldable iPhone.

Smart Take

Smart Take uses AI to determine when everyone (including the iPhone owner) is ready for a group shot, so no one has to use a timer or stay out of the picture to capture the image.


You can prop up the ‌iPhone Duo‌ in a half-folded orientation, get in frame, and then wait for the group shot to be taken.

Kid Cue

Kid Cue shows little Peanuts animations to children so they look at the camera when you're taking a photo.

Duo Preview

With Duo Preview, the Camera app shows a live preview of the shot on both displays, so the subject you're taking a photo of can make adjustments.

Duo FaceTime

Nearby friends can participate in a FaceTime call using the outer display while the iPhone owner uses the inner display, so nobody has to crowd around the iPhone or pass it around to get on video.


Duo ‌FaceTime‌ is not the same as Dual Capture, which records video with both the front and rear cameras. Duo ‌FaceTime‌ specifically uses the outer display to allow another person to join in on a call.

Unique Form Factor Features

The ‌iPhone Duo‌ can be used in multiple orientations, including when it's half-folded. The Duo stands up on its own, for taking ‌FaceTime‌ calls and recording video without holding it.


The folding mechanism acts like a built-in tripod and stand, so it's also useful for selfies and long exposures. You can also capture selfies with the higher-quality 48MP rear camera while using the outer display as a viewfinder, which isn't something you can do with a slab iPhone.

Camera Hardware

The ‌iPhone Duo‌ has a "Dual Fusion" two-camera setup with a 48MP Main camera. It's basically the same camera that's in the iPhone 17 (not the 17 Pro), offering 26mm 24MP images by default, along with 12MP 2x "telephoto" images at 52mm.

The camera supports sensor-shift optical image stabilization, but not the second-generation version available in the Pro models. It also does not support spatial photos or the ProRAW format.

It also includes a 48MP Ultra Wide camera with a 13mm focal length and macro capabilities. Since there's no Telephoto lens, the ‌iPhone Duo‌ is limited to 2x optical-quality zoom in, 2x optical zoom out, and digital zoom up to 10x for images.

Other Camera Capabilities

Like the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, the ‌iPhone Duo‌ supports the latest Photographic Styles, which adds texture and grain parameters.

Video

Smart focus tracking is a feature new to the ‌iPhone Duo‌ and the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ models. It uses AI to keep a subject in focus at all times, and pick up subject tracking if the subject exits the frame and then reappears.

The Duo supports 4K Dolby Vision video recording at up to 120 fps, and Cinematic mode for recording videos in 4K Dolby Vision at up to 60 fps. For the first time, Cinematic mode effects can be added to a video after capture on the Duo and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌. Apple also says there's improved low-light video on the Duo when recording at 1080p.

Time-lapse video recording with stabilization up to 4K Dolby Vision is a new ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone Duo‌ option. It's especially useful on the ‌iPhone Duo‌ because you can record a stable video without the need for a tripod.

Front Camera

The ‌iPhone Duo‌'s outer front-facing camera is 12MP, not 18MP like the ‌iPhone 17‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ models. It otherwise has the same features.

The inner display has a 1080p ‌FaceTime‌ camera that's under the display.

Missing Camera Features

Compared to the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and Pro Max, the ‌iPhone Duo‌ has a more rudimentary camera system. It lacks many features available on the Pro models.

• Telephoto lens


• Pro Controls


• Apple Reference Image


• Variable aperture


• Second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization


• Adaptive True Tone flash


• Spatial photos and video recording


• ProRAW


• ProRes


• ProRes RAW


• Genlock


• Apple Log 2 video recording


• Studio-quality four-mic array

Launch Date

The ‌iPhone Duo‌ will be available for pre-order on October 16, and it will launch on October 23. Pricing starts at $1,999.
This article, "What the iPhone Duo's Camera Can and Can't Do" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today added the 2019 4K iMac to its list of vintage products, which means repairs can only be done if Apple has the parts available.


Products are added to the vintage list five years after they were last distributed for sale, and they're moved to the obsolete list at the seven-year mark. Vintage products can be repaired at Apple Stores and by Apple Authorized Service Providers if the parts are available, but that's not guaranteed. Devices that are obsolete are not eligible for repair and Apple no longer makes repair components.

The 2019 iMac preceded the colorful, redesigned M1 ‌iMac‌ that came out in 2021. The machine featured a 21.5-inch Retina 4K display and the standard silver ‌iMac‌ design. The base model was equipped with an Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 1TB hard drive. Pricing in 2019 started at $1,299.

The 2019 27-inch ‌iMac‌ that was sold alongside the 21.5-inch model was added to the vintage list in July 2025, but Apple sold the smaller model for a longer so it didn't previously qualify as vintage.
This article, "Apple's Last Intel 21.5-Inch iMac is Now Vintage" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

After Apple introduced the AirPods 5 last week, we got a set to take home and review. We've been testing the AirPods 5 for the last week and have some initial thoughts.


The ‌AirPods 5‌ have the same overall design and fit as the AirPods 4, so they're just as comfortable as the prior-generation model.

Active Noise Cancellation has been improved through new internal acoustic architecture, and it's surprisingly good. The ‌AirPods 5‌ don't have silicone ear tips so you might not expect ANC to work as well as earbuds with a tighter fit, but there is a noticeable improvement over the ANC version of the AirPods 4.

Apple says the ‌AirPods 5‌ use low-noise microphones and a new compressor tuned for open-ear ANC. The compressor is tuned to a wider frequency range and can react faster than before when conditions change. Sound is measured for the left and right ears independently, correcting for fit leaks to further improve ANC.

Sound quality on the ‌AirPods 5‌ was muddier than on the AirPods Pro 3, especially in the low mids. iOS 27 has custom EQ, though, which allows for adjustments. The ‌AirPods 5‌ support Adaptive Audio and Transparency, so they have most of the same audio features as the ‌AirPods Pro 3‌.

Apple used to limit ANC to the higher-end version of the AirPods 4, but with the ‌AirPods 5‌, it's universal. You can now get AirPods with ANC for just $129. There's an upgraded model with a Wireless Charging Case, an extra hour of battery life, and swipe-based controls on the stem for $149. The base model has four hours of battery with ANC, while the upgraded version offers five hours.

Live Translation, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and other features that were previously limited to the higher-end AirPods 4 model are now on all models. Dust and water resistance has improved, and the AirPods have an IP57 rating, so they'll hold up better to sweat and moisture exposure.

With the ANC upgrade and the price drop, the ‌AirPods 5‌ are an excellent value. If you've been hesitant to get AirPods because of the price, this is the version to get. People who have AirPods Pro or AirPods 4 with ANC don't need to upgrade, but it's a big improvement if you have older AirPods.

The ‌AirPods 5‌ are available for pre-order and will launch on Friday, September 18.
This article, "AirPods 5 Hands-On: Better Noise Cancellation, Lower Price" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

When iOS 27 first came out back in June, we started working on a series of in-depth feature guides and how tos that go through all of the updates in Apple's new software.


Our ultimate guide aggregates all of our ‌iOS 27‌ coverage, and it is useful for iPhone and iPad users new to ‌iOS 27‌ or those who might want a recap on what's included. We've organized it by feature to make it easy to find what you're looking for.

Liquid Glass

• Here's How Liquid Glass Is Changing in iOS 27


• iOS 27: Tone Down Liquid Glass Transparency


• Get Clear App Icons on Your iPhone Home Screen

Siri and Apple Intelligence

• Siri AI in iOS 27: Features, Requirements, and How It Works


• Here's What's New With Visual Intelligence in iOS 27

Messages

• iOS 27: 13 Ways the Messages App is Smarter and Less Annoying


• iOS 27 Adds New Drawing Tool to Your iPhone's Messages App


• iOS 27 Lets You Hide the Messages Button Everyone Hits by Mistake

Phone and FaceTime

• iOS 27: All the New Phone and FaceTime Features

AirPods

• Every New AirPods Feature in iOS 27


• Set a Custom EQ for Your AirPods in iOS 27

Safari

• iOS 27: All the New Safari Features

Apple Maps

• iOS 27: All the New Apple Maps Features

Mail

• iOS 27: What's New With the Mail App

Calendar, Reminders, and Notes

• Everything New in Calendar and Reminders in iOS 27


• iOS 27 Adds Four New Features to Notes App, Including Markdown Copy-and-Paste

Photos

• What's New in the iOS 27 Photos App

Wallet

• iOS 27 Wallet App Gets 7 New Features

Health

• iOS 27 Apple Health App Redesign: Every New Feature Coming in 2026


• iOS 27: All the New Health and Fitness Features

Weather

• iOS 27 Weather App: All the New Features

Home and HomePod

• iOS 27 Home App: 10+ New HomeKit Features


• Apple Intelligence Home Features Require 2TB iCloud+ Plan in iOS 27


• iOS 27 Brings New Functionality to HomePod

Shortcuts

• iOS 27 Makes the Shortcuts App Much Less Intimidating

Lock Screen

• iOS 27 Brings These Five New Features to Your iPhone Lock Screen


• iOS 27's New Compact Clock Gives Your Wallpaper Room to Breathe


• Add a Volume Slider to Your iPhone Lock Screen


• iOS 27 Lets You Dismiss the 'Now Playing' Lock Screen Widget

Control Center and Settings

• Open the Current App's Settings From Control Center


• iOS 27 Finally Unlinks Alarm Volume From Your iPhone Ringer


• iOS 27 Adds a Useful New Copy-and-Paste Feature to Your iPhone

CarPlay

• iOS 27: 8+ New CarPlay Features

Find My

• iOS 27 Adds These New Features to Find My, Including 'Hide Location'

Apple TV

• iOS 27 Lets You Update Your Apple TV Using Your iPhone


• iOS 27 Lets You Add Apple TV Remote to Your iPhone's Home Screen

iCloud

• iOS 27: All the New iCloud Features

Screen Time and Parental Controls

• iOS 27 Adds New Parental Controls: Ask to Browse, Time Allowances, and a Redesigned Screen Time

Performance and Recovery

• 10 iOS 27 Performance Improvements You'll Actually Notice


• iOS 27 Adds Mac-Like Recovery Mode for iPhone and iPad


• iOS 27: Access the New iPhone Recovery Screen

Limited and Delayed Features

• Two iOS 27 Features Won't Be Ready Launch


• Two iOS 27 Features Are Only Available on iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air


• iOS 27 Features You Can't Use in the EU

Read More

We have a complete overview of all of the new features in ‌iOS 27‌ in one place in our iOS 27 roundup, which is also well worth checking out for all of the smaller details that didn't make it into our guides and how tos.
This article, "iOS 27 Features: The Ultimate Mega Guide" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple released macOS Golden Gate to the public today, which means anyone with a compatible Mac can download it. The new version of macOS requires an Apple chip, so if you have a Mac with an M1 or later or a MacBook Neo, you can upgrade.


‌macOS Golden Gate‌ includes Siri AI, and the Mac is the only device that people in the EU can try ‌Siri‌ AI with. It also brings a long list of performance improvements, updates to Liquid Glass, and new Apple Intelligence features for apps like Photos, Calendar, Reminders, Home, and Safari.

Liquid Glass

Apple added a Liquid Glass slider in macOS 27, which means you can adjust the transparency level. You can select a clearer version of Liquid Glass that lets some of the background show through, or a more opaque version for improved legibility. Since it's a slider, you can also pick something in between.

Apple tweaked the overall opacity of Liquid Glass, and it better diffuses complex content behind navigation bars and buttons. Darkened edges and brighter specular highlights add more depth and separation for different UI elements.

Toolbars, Sidebars, and Windows

Uniform toolbars in apps make text headings and groups of controls more legible, and Apple has cut back on the number of icons that are used in menu interfaces. Windows have the same corner radius for more consistency, and you'll notice that app corners are not as dramatically rounded.

Changes to window shadows and the Liquid Glass updates make it a lot easier to tell which window is active when you have several apps open.

Sidebars no longer float and are edge-to-edge, which is a less distracting design. Sidebar icons once again use color, too.

Siri AI

‌Siri‌ AI is the biggest change in ‌macOS Golden Gate‌. ‌Siri‌ is smarter, more capable, and functions like a chatbot. On the Mac, you can ask ‌Siri‌ anything using the Spotlight interface that comes up with Command + Space. Spotlight is now a unified "Search or Ask" bar where you can search for files, apps, and other content, or ask ‌Siri‌ to complete tasks or answer queries.

You can also interact with ‌Siri‌ using the dedicated ‌Siri‌ app, which is where you can view past conversations and start new conversations. ‌Siri‌ conversations sync across all of your devices, and the ‌Siri‌ app is cross-platform.

‌Siri‌ can see what's on your screen and access your personal information like emails, messages, and photos to answer questions. ‌Siri‌ can also search the web and complete tasks in apps for you. It's a huge change from the prior version of ‌Siri‌, and ‌Siri‌ can handle far more than it could before.

We have more on some of the tasks you can complete with ‌Siri‌ in our Siri AI guide.

Visual Intelligence

Apple brought the iPhone's Visual Intelligence feature to the Mac in macOS 27. You can ask ‌Siri‌ questions about what's on your screen with ‌Visual Intelligence‌, choosing the entire screen or just a portion.

‌Visual Intelligence‌ on the Mac works when you press Command + Shift + Space or Command + Shift + 6 to capture one area of the display. If you press Command + Shift + 5 (also used for recording your display and capturing screenshots), you can click on the ‌Visual Intelligence‌ icon to get an adjustable selection square for selecting an area of the screen.

‌Siri‌ can search for images, summarize, translate, identify objects, add information from the screen to apps like Calendar or Reminders, answer questions about what you're looking at, and more. ‌Visual Intelligence‌ on Mac has all of the same features as Visual Intelligence on iPhone, and it includes the new ‌Visual Intelligence‌ features like telling you nutritional information for food or splitting out a bill.

Write with Siri

There is a system-wide Write with ‌Siri‌ feature that goes beyond the ‌Apple Intelligence‌ Writing Tools available in macOS Tahoe. ‌Siri‌ can compose entire emails or messages for you, give you feedback on your writing, change out words, and complete other editing tasks.

To use Write with ‌Siri‌ on Mac, right-click in an app and choose the Ask ‌Siri‌ option. If you select text before the right-click, you can ask ‌Siri‌ for editing help. If you have a blank document, you can ask ‌Siri‌ to generate something for you. When drafting emails or messages, ‌Siri‌ can analyze your past communications and generate something in your own writing style.

Apple also expanded spell correction in ‌macOS Golden Gate‌, and your Mac will give you grammar suggestions and fixes.

iPhone Mirroring

You can resize the iPhone Mirroring window in ‌macOS Golden Gate‌, dragging at the corner to make a window larger or smaller. Depending on the app, you may be limited to a portrait iPhone aspect ratio, but other apps support iPad or landscape layouts.

It's a feature Apple likely added for the iPhone Duo, but it's nice to have for any iPhone.

Shortcuts

It's easier for anyone to create a Shortcut in just a few minutes in ‌macOS Golden Gate‌. The Shortcuts app on Mac opens to an interface that lets you describe what you want a shortcut to do using natural language.

AI creates the shortcut for you, and you can refine it with further natural language commands or manually edit it. You can activate your shortcuts through the app or with ‌Siri‌ commands.

Safari Extensions

Safari has a customizable extension feature in ‌macOS Golden Gate‌, and you can use the Describe Extension option to type in what you want an extension to do. The extension is created using AI and is available to use right away.

To use it, click on the settings icon on the right side of the URL bar and choose the Describe Extension option. Some Apple examples:

• Display a reading time estimate as a badge on the extension


• Close duplicate tabs pointing to the same URL when I click the extension


• Highlight this word


• Create a 3-minute focus timer for the page


• Set the minimum font size to 14pt


• Every time I open a new tab, draw me a flower


• Highlight and show the dimensions of webpage elements when I click them


• Enter design mode for a website so that I can edit the contents


• Save this recipe

Safari Tab Grouping and Notifications

Safari also has an intelligent tab grouping feature. Tabs in related categories are automatically grouped together in the tab view.

You can also set Safari to monitor a webpage for updates, with Hourly, Daily, Weekly, and Monthly checks available. When you set this feature up, you'll get a notification when the content on the webpage changes.

Performance Improvements

In addition to introducing ‌Siri‌ and new ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features, ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ cleans up underlying code. Apple made multiple refinements to speed up performance.

Animations and interactions are faster and smoother, and you'll notice a difference when scrolling Safari and other apps, opening Mission Control and Spaces, and using other Mac interface elements.

AirDrop transfers complete more quickly, browsing through files on attached network devices is faster, and window positioning is more stable when using external displays. Messages also sync faster and more reliably across devices.

Apple rebuilt its search foundation for Spotlight, ‌Photos‌, Mail, and Messages, and indexing is quicker. When you search for something recent, it's more likely to come up right away than before, and in Mail, there's a ranking system that surfaces the emails you're most likely looking for. Mail search indexing is more reliable than before, and Spotlight search suggestions are more relevant.

How to Install

‌macOS Golden Gate‌ can be installed through the System Settings app on your Mac. Just go to General > Software Update.

Full System Requirements

‌macOS Golden Gate‌ runs on Macs with an ‌M1‌ chip or later, plus the A18 Pro ‌MacBook Neo‌. Intel Macs do not support ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ and won't get the new features.

Every Mac that runs ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ supports ‌Apple Intelligence‌ and ‌Siri‌ AI, but some on-device ‌Siri‌ processing features for selecting a natural voice and getting upgraded dictation require an M3 or later.
This article, "macOS Golden Gate: 10 Features to Try First" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Popular Mac app AppZapper was today revamped with a new design, updated functionality, and a fresh name. AppZapper 3000 offers a quick way to delete Mac apps and their associated files.


AppZapper requires Full Disk Access permission to find files on the Mac. Once installed, you can drag and drop an app into AppZapper and then click on the Zap All button to remove the app and related files with a fun laser gun animation and sound. AppZapper locates and deletes all of an app's files in just a few seconds, and users can choose from four different themes.

AppZapper first launched in 2006, so the new version is debuting on its 20th anniversary. Developer Austin Sarner says the updated version of the app is tailored to macOS security requirements and is better at finding related app files.

The app can be downloaded for free and tested before purchasing. A license is priced at $18 for a single user and $29 for a family pack that allows the app to be used on up to five Macs. macOS 15 or later is required.

MacRumors readers can get a 20 percent discount by using the promo code MACRUMORS when checking out. The discount is available through September 21.
This article, "AppZapper Mac Uninstaller Returns as AppZapper 3000" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Elon Musk's companies X Corp and SpaceXAI today asked the court to dismiss their claims in a lawsuit filed against Apple in 2025, reports Reuters. There was no explanation for the dismissal request or mention of a settlement. The filing also does not ask for the dismissal of claims against OpenAI.

Plaintiffs have resolved their claims in this Action against Defendant Apple Inc. ("Apple").
Plaintiffs accordingly move under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(2) to dismiss with prejudice their claims against Apple. Apple does not oppose this Motion.
For the avoidance of doubt, Plaintiffs do not seek to dismiss any of their claims against Defendants OpenAI Foundation (f/k/a OpenAI, Inc.); OpenAI, L.L.C.; and OpenAI OpCo, LLC.

A dismissal with prejudice will prevent the claims from being refiled in the future.

The lawsuit accused Apple and OpenAI of conspiring to "ensure their continued dominance" in the AI market. The lawsuit suggested Apple was "blindsided by major innovations in AI," leading it to team up with OpenAI in a "desperate bid to protect its smartphone monopoly."

Musk's companies complained that Grok did not have the same level of iOS integration as ChatGPT did through Siri, and accused Apple of deprioritizing the apps of competing generative AI chatbots and X in the App Store. The lawsuit asked for billions in damages for Apple's alleged stifling of AI industry innovation.

Apple said it was "widely known that [it] intends to partner with other generative AI chatbots" in the future, and said the claims were based on "speculation on top of speculation." Apple asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit back in October, but the request was denied.
This article, "Musk Drops Apple Lawsuit Over ChatGPT Siri Deal, Keeps Suing OpenAI" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today filed its opening merits brief with the Supreme Court as it prepares to fight the contempt ruling that forced it to change its App Store rules. Apple is asking the Supreme Court to reverse or vacate the contempt order, which would return the ‌App Store‌ to its pre–2025 rules.


The Supreme Court filing is part of Apple's ongoing legal battle with Epic Games, which has gotten more and more complicated since it kicked off in 2020. Apple largely won the original ruling because it wasn't found to have violated antitrust law, but Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, the judge overseeing the case, ordered Apple to relax its anti-steering rules and let developers link to alternative purchase options in apps.

Apple complied, but charged a 12 to 27 percent fee on link-outs, and few developers adopted the system. Epic went back to Gonzalez Rogers and said Apple violated her injunction, and she agreed. In April 2025, she found Apple in contempt of court and barred the company from collecting any fees on purchases made through links in the U.S. ‌App Store‌.

Apple changed its ‌App Store‌ rules to comply with the new ruling but appealed. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the contempt finding, and Apple appealed to the Supreme Court.

Today's brief repeats Apple's main argument and asks the Supreme Court to decide whether a court can hold a party in civil contempt for violating the "spirit" of an injunction when the injunction does not address the conduct the contempt ruling is based on.

The first injunction from Gonzalez Rogers had no mention of the fees Apple was or wasn't allowed to charge, but both the original contempt ruling and the court of appeals agreed Apple had violated the "spirit" of the injunction when it charged fees that were too high.

Citing cases dating back to 1885, Apple argues the Ninth Circuit broke with precedent when it said Apple could be held in contempt for violating the spirit of an injunction. Apple says it cannot be held in contempt because there was no clear and unambiguous violation of the injunction's wording. Apple repeatedly points out the original injunction was just 75 words long.

The Supreme Court is expected to hear the case in 2027. ‌Epic Games‌ will submit its response brief in November, and then Apple will be able to submit a reply brief.

While Apple waits for the Supreme Court, it will be going back to district court for fee calculations that would be implemented if the higher court does not toss out the contempt ruling and resulting anti-steering order. Apple was ordered back to district court because the appeals court found the district court's total ban on commissions went too far, and sent it back to set a reasonable fee. Apple attempted to delay the proceedings but was unsuccessful.
This article, "Apple Asks Supreme Court to Throw Out App Store Contempt Ruling" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

X's XChat app is no longer available from the App Store. The app does not come up when searching for it in the ‌App Store‌, and clicking a link to it on the web returns an unavailable error.


XChat allows X users to communicate with one another using end-to-end encryption and disappearing messages. The app's description says it is a "private, focused space built for conversation." XChat launched in April 2026.

Update: It appears X removed the XChat app from the ‌App Store‌, but hasn't yet said why.
This article, "X's Standalone Messaging App XChat Disappears From App Store" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple is requiring a $9.99 iCloud+ plan to use the iOS 27 Apple Intelligence Home app features with a single HomeKit camera, and iPhone users aren't happy about it.


‌iOS 27‌ includes text-based descriptions for motion alerts, a feature that uses ‌Apple Intelligence‌. It recognizes people, animals, vehicles, packages, and general motion, and summarizes what's happening.

During the beta, we learned that a 2TB iCloud+ plan or higher would be needed to use video summaries, but at the time, Apple didn't say how many cameras would be supported.

Last week, Apple shared new details on ‌Apple Intelligence‌ limits, and it turns out the 2TB ‌iCloud‌+ plan priced at $9.99 per month will only add AI summaries to a single camera. You'll need the $29.99 per month 6TB plan to get AI summaries for two cameras, or the $59.99 per month 12TB plan if you want to add up to five cameras. Apple One Premier subscribers are limited to a single camera since the bundle includes 2TB of ‌iCloud‌+ storage.

Apple isn't offering an ‌iCloud‌+ plan that lets users receive AI summaries for an unlimited number of cameras.

Using HomeKit Secure Video cameras has always required a paid ‌iCloud‌+ plan, but the recording limits are at odds with the ‌Apple Intelligence‌ limits. You can use a single ‌HomeKit Secure Video‌ camera with a $0.99 per month 50GB ‌iCloud‌+ plan, five cameras with the $2.99 per month 200GB plan, and unlimited cameras with the 2TB plan priced at $9.99 per month.

Someone who has a 2TB ‌iCloud‌+ plan and has invested in multiple ‌HomeKit Secure Video‌ cameras will only be able to use the new ‌Apple Intelligence‌ feature with one of those cameras.

There are dozens of complaints about the subscription requirements on Reddit and on the MacRumors forums.

Apple warns that supported camera counts and other ‌iCloud‌+ plan features could change over time. There will also be usage limits on Siri AI, photo editing tools, and Image Playground, with paid options to increase access. Apple hasn't announced pricing for features other than the ‌Apple Intelligence‌ Home app options.

Rumors suggest Apple will launch its own home security cameras as soon as next year, with the company also working on a home security and monitoring service. Apple's own home security cameras could require the ‌iCloud‌+ subscription for advanced AI features.
This article, "iOS 27 AI Camera Summaries Cost $9.99 for One Camera, $59.99 for Five" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

iPhone, iPad, and Mac users in the United States can now sign up for AppleCare One Family, a new ‌AppleCare‌ plan that covers the Apple products of up to six people.


‌AppleCare‌ One Family offers the same benefits as ‌AppleCare‌+, including protection from accidental damage as well as theft and loss protection for iPhone, ‌iPad‌, and Apple Watch. The same service fees and deductibles apply, and up to six loss and theft claims are available across the family per year.

‌AppleCare‌ One Family is priced at $49.99 per month and covers all of the eligible Apple devices in a Family Sharing group. All devices already protected by ‌AppleCare‌ at the time of signup and devices purchased less than 60 days ago are automatically enrolled in ‌AppleCare‌ One Family during setup.

Other devices up to four years old (or one year for AirPods and Beats) can also be added, but users may need to complete a device check to confirm the device is in good condition. Devices not in good working condition cannot be added to the plan.

There are few limits on the number of devices that can be added. A family's entire product list will be covered, though Apple says the plan covers a maximum of six Vision Pro headsets.

All devices added to ‌AppleCare‌ Family remain covered for as long as the plan is active. Devices have to check in with Apple's servers at least once every 12 months, and Apple can remove a device if service parts are unavailable.

‌AppleCare‌ One Family is limited to the United States, and all devices need to be signed in to the Apple Account of a family member to be covered. If someone signs out and another account not in the family group signs in, coverage ends. More limits are outlined on Apple's support page for the feature.

Any adult member of a Family Sharing group can start an ‌AppleCare‌ One Family plan. If Purchase Sharing is turned on, the family organizer will automatically pay the subscription price, but Apple says the plan subscriber can choose to use their own payment method for the plan.

‌AppleCare‌ One Family is an alternative to ‌AppleCare‌ One, the $19.99/month subscription Apple introduced in July 2025. ‌AppleCare‌ One is limited to three devices, but coverage can be added for additional devices at $5.99 per month each.
This article, "AppleCare One Family Launches at $49.99 Per Month" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Today is the official launch date of iOS 27, which means it's available for everyone that has an iPhone 11 or newer. ‌iOS 27‌ introduces Siri AI, tons of new Apple Intelligence features, Liquid Glass updates, and performance improvements to make your iPhone feel faster.

Performance Improvements

Apple sped up a long list of features in ‌iOS 27‌, and it's immediately noticeable when you download the software.

Everything feels faster than it did in iOS 26. Animations are quicker, apps launch faster, and AirDrop transfers complete faster. You'll see improvements when taking photos, opening the keyboard, using the App Library, and swapping Home Screen pages. Your iMessages between devices sync more accurately, messages won't fail to send and will be automatically retried, and your iPhone can transition more smoothly between Wi-Fi and cellular.

The majority of new features in ‌iOS 27‌ require ‌Apple Intelligence‌ and an iPhone 15 Pro or later, but the under-the-hood improvements are available on all iPhones, so even older iPhones will feel faster. For more on what's new, we have a list of the best performance improvements in iOS 27.

Siri AI

‌Siri‌ AI is the new version of ‌Siri‌. It's more like ChatGPT or Claude ‌Siri‌ in ‌iOS 26‌, with support for back-and-forth conversations. ‌Siri‌ AI can do a lot of what other AI chatbots can do, but unlike other AI options, ‌Siri‌ has private access to your messages, emails, photos, apps, and other personal data so it can complete a wider range of tasks. ‌Siri‌ can also search the web, so it can answer all kinds of queries.

You can activate ‌Siri‌ with a wake word, swipe down from the middle of your screen to type a question to ‌Siri‌, chat with ‌Siri‌ in the ‌Siri‌ app, or press the side button to activate ‌Siri‌.

Some examples of what ‌Siri‌ is now able to do:

• Create home automations with a command like lock all the doors at midnight.


• Find specific emails, messages, photos, images, links, files, and other documents people have sent to you. You can ask based on person, time, location, and more.


• Delete files, emails, photos, or messages.


• Add all items from a recipe on a website to a shopping list.


• Recommend activities, places, and restaurants you might like based on what it knows about you.


• Look at something on your screen like a website and answer questions about it.


• Answer general knowledge questions.


• Add information about people to the Contacts app when asked, like birthdays or additional phone numbers.


• Find passwords for websites and apps that are stored in the Passwords app.

For more on some of the commands you can use with ‌Siri‌, we have a dedicated Siri AI guide.

Visual Intelligence

Visual Intelligence is now in the Camera app, and you can get to it by swiping to a new ‌Siri‌ mode that's available as an alternative to the photo and video modes.

There are new ‌Visual Intelligence‌ features, and ‌Siri‌ can do things like tell you the nutritional value of something you're about to eat, or calculate what everyone owes from an image of a receipt. We have more examples in our iOS 27 Visual Intelligence guide.

Write with Siri

‌Siri‌ can generate text from scratch in ‌iOS 27‌, and there's a system-wide Write with ‌Siri‌ feature you can get to from the keyboard. ‌Siri‌ can help you write, give you feedback on what you've written, change the tone or wording of your writing, and even write in your style by analyzing your emails and messages.

Your iPhone also automatically suggests grammar fixes in addition to spelling fixes.

Photos Clean Up

The Clean Up tool that removes unwanted objects from images in the Photos app is much improved in ‌iOS 27‌, and it does a better job cleanly removing what you don't want and filling in what's missing more convincingly.

There are also new Extend and Reframe image tools for extending the borders of a photo using AI and changing the perspective or composition of an image.

Our full iOS 27 Photos guide goes through all of the new features.

Adjust Liquid Glass

There's a new Liquid Glass slider that lets you choose how clear or opaque you want your buttons, toolbars, and menus to be. Get to the new slider in the Settings app by choosing Appearance and then tapping on Liquid Glass.

Safari

You can create custom extensions with natural language commands in Safari, which is useful for when you want to do something specific but there isn't a good extension available. Some sample suggestions, from Apple:

• Create a citation for the current webpage and copy it to my clipboard


• Create a 3-minute focus timer for the page


• Set the minimum font size to 14pt


• Turn the page into pirate speak


• Style websites like 90s websites with bold colors and type


• Every time I open a new tab, draw me a different flower


• Highlight and show the dimensions of webpage elements when I tap on them


• Enter the design mode for a website so that I can edit the contents

Safari can also automatically organize your tabs into categories and watch a webpage and let you know if there are changes. For more, read our iOS 27 Safari guide.

Home App

Use HomeKit Secure Video cameras? They now support 2K and 4K recording. There's also a new AI feature that gives you text descriptions for what's happening in your home, and there's an option to search through videos using natural language to find something you're looking for.

The AI features require a 2TB iCloud+ plan for one camera and a higher plan for more cameras, but the 4K streaming doesn't.

For more on what's new in the Home app, check out our iOS 27 Home guide.

AirPods EQ

If you've ever wanted to adjust the sound of your AirPods, you can do so with new AirPods customization options that let you tweak mids, highs, and lows. Custom EQ is available for AirPods 4, AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods Max 2.

Shortcuts

If you find the Shortcuts app intimidating, it's easier to use in ‌iOS 27‌. You can tell the Shortcuts app what you want to be able to accomplish with a shortcut, and it'll make it using AI. You can then refine it with further natural language requests, or manually edit.

More on Shortcuts is available in our Shortcuts guide.

How to Install iOS 27

You can install ‌iOS 27‌ the same way any iOS update is installed. Open the Settings app, go to General, tap on Software Update, and wait for the ‌iOS 27‌ update to pop up.

Apple will also send out prompts suggesting that users upgrade to the new operating system.

More iOS 27 Info

If you want to see a complete list of the features available in ‌iOS 27‌, you can find that information in our full iOS 27 roundup.
This article, "iOS 27 Now Available: 10 Features to Try First" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max 2. The firmware is available for all of the above devices, and it will enable support for new iOS 27 features. The firmware has a build number of 9A348.


In ‌iOS 27‌, iPadOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate, Apple is adding a new AirPods interface, a slider for Adaptive mode, and support for custom EQ. AirPods are also compatible with the new Siri AI.

Firmware updates can be downloaded by connecting the AirPods to an Apple device and connecting them to power. It can take a few hours for new firmware to be installed because there is no software update option like there is for other Apple devices.
This article, "Apple Releases New AirPods Firmware With iOS 27 Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Today's iOS 27 update addresses over 100 security vulnerabilities, which is a good reason to install the new software.


If you don't want to update to ‌iOS 27‌ yet, Apple also released iOS 26.7 with over 80 security fixes. 75 of the fixes are shared across both updates, so iOS 26.7 addresses many of the same issues.

There are multiple kernel fixes, including one that could allow a malicious app to gain root access and another that could allow for Bluetooth remote code execution. A full list of vulnerabilities can be found on Apple's site for both iOS 27 and iOS 26.7.

None of the flaws are known to have been actively exploited, but now that details have been published, devices that are not updated could be vulnerable.

Apple has been fielding an increasing number of vulnerability discoveries as AI models get better at finding bugs. Three of today's fixes are attributed to Anthropic's Claude, and OpenAI Codex Security is mentioned in Apple's additional recognition section.
This article, "iOS 27 and iOS 26.7 Fix More Than 100 Security Bugs" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Alongside macOS Golden Gate, Apple today released new versions of macOS Tahoe and macOS Sequoia. ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.7 and macOS Sequoia 15.8 are available for users with older Macs or those who don't yet want to update to Golden Gate.


The updates can be downloaded through the Software Update section of the System Settings app. On Macs eligible to install ‌macOS Golden Gate‌, users will see both the ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.7 update and the new ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ update.

‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.7 and macOS Sequoia 15.8 include security fixes, likely the same fixes that are in ‌macOS Golden Gate‌.
This article, "Apple Releases macOS Tahoe 26.7 and macOS Sequoia 15.8" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today released iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, the newest operating system updates for the iPhone and iPad. The software is available for free on all compatible devices, and can be downloaded over the air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.


It can take several minutes for the updates to propagate to all users due to high demand on launch day.

‌iOS 27‌ can be installed on all iPhones that run iOS 26, which includes the iPhone SE 2 and the iPhone 11 series and later. ‌iPadOS 27‌ is available on the 2nd-generation and later iPad Pro, 4th-generation and later iPad Air, 6th-generation and later iPad mini, and the A16 ‌iPad‌.

The updates introduce Siri AI, the smarter and more capable version of ‌Siri‌. You may need to sign up to use ‌Siri‌ AI after updating, which you can do in the Settings app under the ‌Siri‌ section. Along with ‌Siri‌ AI and a dedicated ‌Siri‌ app, there are updates to the Liquid Glass design, and a long list of new Apple Intelligence features.

To use the new AI features, you need an iPhone that supports ‌Apple Intelligence‌, which includes the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, all iPhone 16 models, all iPhone 17 models, and all iPhone 18 models. For ‌iPad‌, ‌Apple Intelligence‌ is available on M-series devices and the A17 Pro ‌iPad mini‌. There are no fees for ‌Siri‌ AI and other ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features yet, but Apple may start charging for higher usage in the future.

Apple's release notes for the update are below.

Siri AI (All iPhone 16 models and later, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max)

- A more capable and conversational version of Siri is rolling out to users. It helps you find what you need and get more done, drawing on capabilities like personal context understanding, app actions, onscreen awareness, and access to broad world knowledge
- New voice experience offers more expressive and natural-sounding voices, and lets you customize expressivity and pace to make Siri more personal to you using powerful on-device models on iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models and later
- Dedicated Siri app provides an easy way to revisit an existing conversation or kick off a new one, and privately syncs conversations across your Apple products with iCloud
- Siri mode in Camera integrates Visual Intelligence into the Camera app, letting you ask questions and take action with what's in front of you, like splitting a bill or looking up nutritional info for a plate of food
- Write with Siri enables you to generate a draft from scratch, edit what you've written, or get feedback from Siri virtually anywhere you type. In Messages & Mail, Siri personalizes your writing style based on your relationships, and uses unique phrases and punctuation that you've previously used in your conversations with those people

Apple Intelligence across apps (All iPhone 16 models and later, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max)

Photos
- Spatial Reframing lets you adjust the composition of a photo after it was taken by virtually changing the camera position
- Extend tool intelligently expands images beyond their edges with realistic infill, so you can straighten horizons, change aspect ratios, or add more space around a subject
- Clean Up supports removing even larger objects, with more realistic, high-quality results, and you can choose between Fast mode for small blemishes or High Quality for more intricate edits

Safari
- Organize by Topic uses Apple Intelligence to sort your tabs, analyzing webpages and automatically grouping similar tabs together
- Notify Me can periodically check a webpage for updates, like price changes and item availability
- Describe an Extension lets you create a custom extension using natural language to adjust your view of a website's content or formatting

- All-new Image Playground uses a new generative model to make high-quality images in virtually any style, including photorealistic, lets you modify your images using touch and natural language, and lets you generate Lock Screen wallpapers and Contact Posters with personalized suggestions
- Describe a Shortcut lets you use natural language to create a shortcut or refine an existing one

Home
- Summarized activity notifications combine related alerts across accessories into a single notification
- Video descriptions for HomeKit Secure Video recordings summarize what's happening in a clip for eligible iCloud+ subscribers
- Camera clip search lets you find specific moments from your HomeKit Secure Video cameras by searching in the Home app or Spotlight when on an eligible iCloud+ plan

- Describe an event in Calendar lets you use natural language to create an event, and details like the time, location, invitees, and event title are filled in using Apple Intelligence
- Suggestions in Mail help you take action based on the context of your emails, like getting directions to a restaurant you booked
- Call Context in the Phone app understands when you're speaking to certain businesses and proactively surfaces relevant information from across your apps, like a confirmation code or a reservation number

Accessibility
- VoiceOver enhancements include more detailed and contextual image understanding for photos, charts, and screenshots, a conversational experience that lets you ask questions about your screen or surroundings, and a new way to get answers fast with an Action button integration
- An enhanced Magnifier experience offers conversational visual assistance for users with low vision, with a high-contrast interface and natural language app controls for zooming and other Magnifier functions
- A smarter Accessibility Reader uses intelligence to provide better text cleanup and formatting, images and tables, on-demand summaries, and translation
- Voice Control flexible inputs help you navigate your device with just your voice by describing elements on screen in your own words, like "tap the gear" or "tap the button in the top right"

- And more, including additional ways to create and modify Genmoji, automatic proofreading, and more accurate dictation using an on-device model on iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models and later

Child Safety

- Improved setup experience for new child accounts lets parents choose the exact apps their kids can access when they set up an iPhone for their child
- Ask to Browse gives parents the option to approve each new website before their child can view it
- Expanded Communication Safety protections help intervene before children see gore or violent content in shared images and videos
- Time Allowances help parents set boundaries around how long kids can use apps across Entertainment, Games, and Social Media apps, offering guidance based on expert research and tailored to each child's age
- Schedules let parents choose which apps their kids can access at different points in their day and across weekdays and weekends
- Redesigned Screen Time settings give parents at-a-glance information about how their kids use their devices, and controls to adjust access in just a few taps

System Improvements

- Liquid Glass refinements improve overall readability, and a new slider in Settings lets you personalize its appearance from ultra-clear to fully tinted
- Faster performance in experiences across the system, including app launches, new photos loading in your Photos library, and AirDrop transfers
- Improved search provides more relevant and comprehensive results in Spotlight, Photos, and Mail
- Connectivity Assist enables more seamless transitions between Wi-Fi and cellular networks

And more improvements across apps and experiences, including enhancements to iCloud Shared Albums in Photos, Custom EQ for AirPods, support for perimenopause and menopause in Cycle Tracking in the Health app, and independent volume settings for Alarms and Timers

For more on the new features, make sure to check out our iOS 27 roundup and our iPadOS 27 roundup.
This article, "Apple Releases iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 With Siri AI and Liquid Glass Update" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Alongside iOS 27, Apple today released iOS 26.7, an update to the existing iOS 26 software. Users who check for new software will see iOS 26.7 as the default update, with ‌iOS 27‌ listed as an option at the bottom of the Software Update interface.


According to Apple's release notes, iOS 26.7 includes security fixes, but it does not have any other features.

Apple will eventually show ‌iOS 27‌ as the main update for the iPhone, but that likely won't happen for a few weeks. Users who want to stay on ‌iOS 26‌ for the time being can do so by opting for iOS 26.7 instead of ‌iOS 27‌.

‌iOS 27‌ runs on all of the same iPhones that support ‌iOS 26‌.
This article, "Apple Releases iOS 26.7 With Security Fixes" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums