Apple's upcoming iOS 27 and watchOS 27 software updates are packed with a blend of daily convenience tools, health-tracking additions and artificial intelligence capabilities.
The software upgrades were unveiled during Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference on June 8, 2026, and are scheduled to arrive as free software updates this autumn. While there are plenty of smaller changes, six features stand out for users looking to get more from their devices.
1. Siri Is Finally Getting Much Smarter
Among the biggest changes is Siri, which Apple describes as an entirely new version of its assistant, powered by the next generation of Apple Intelligence.
Apple says Siri will be more capable and can understand personal context, answer questions about what's on a user's screen, search across apps and take actions in supported apps. It can also access information from the web to provide up-to-date answers.
The revamped assistant represents a move beyond basic question-answering towards a system designed to understand more context and help users complete tasks. Apple says Siri will be available as a beta later this year for users with a supported device set to English. Availability will vary by language and region.
2. Your iPhone Can Do More With Apple Intelligence
Apple is also expanding its artificial intelligence capabilities across its platforms, adding new tools to apps and everyday experiences.
On iPhone, Apple Intelligence can help with tasks such as understanding personal context, editing photos and interacting with apps. Apple says the new Siri AI can also perform actions across apps based on what users are doing.
There is a hardware limitation, however. Apple Intelligence and Siri AI require supported devices, including iPhone 16 models or later, as well as the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Some features may have additional hardware, language or regional requirements.
3. Your Apple Watch Gets Smarter Workout Insights
Workout Buddy is not entirely new to Apple Watch, having debuted with watchOS 26. However, watchOS 27 brings new updates to the feature, which uses a user's fitness data to provide personalised motivation and insights during workouts.
Rather than simply recording physical activity, Workout Buddy is designed to make fitness data more useful while users are exercising.
Apple says the updated feature is available on Apple Watch Series 9 or later, Apple Watch SE 3 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later when paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone. It also requires compatible Bluetooth headphones or speakers and supported language settings.
4. Menopause Tracking Is Coming to Apple Health
Apple is expanding Cycle Tracking in the Health app with support for perimenopause and menopause.
The feature will allow users to log symptoms and receive notifications about potential changes in their cycles. In an interview with tech creator iJustine, Apple's Dr Sumbul Desai said the company wanted to address a gap in its existing health tools.
'But the thing that was missing is the transition kind of beyond your cycles,' Desai said.
She added that notifications could help users become more aware of changes and 'have a conversation with your doctor'. Apple says the feature builds on insights from its Apple Women's Health Study.
5. Apple Watch Gets a Smarter Way to Navigate
The watchOS 27 also changes how people interact with their Apple Watch.
A new dynamic app grid automatically highlights five Siri-suggested apps, including popular and recently used applications, while keeping the Siri app front and centre.
Apple is also introducing a new gesture that lets users open a Smart Stack widget with one hand. Users can tap their index finger and thumb together once to select a widget, which could be particularly useful when their other hand is occupied.
For people who rely on their Apple Watch throughout the day, these changes might seem less flashy than Siri AI but could prove more practical during everyday routines.
Combined, the updates show Apple focusing its newest software on making its devices more intelligent, personalised and functional without forcing users to learn entirely unfamiliar ways of interacting with them.
6. iPhone Handoff Gets Even More Seamless
iOS 27 introduces enhanced multi-device support, making the iPhone Handoff feature much more reliable and fluid when switching between Apple hardware. The new software could allow users to use the same phone number across two iPhones using the Handoff feature
Whether you are moving tasks from your phone to a Mac or tablet, the operating system ensures continuous workflow without manual reconnections.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the key features of iOS 27 and watchOS 27?Key features include a smarter Siri AI, expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities, enhanced workout insights on Apple Watch, menopause tracking in Apple Health, and improved navigation on Apple Watch.
- When will iOS 27 and watchOS 27 be available?The updates are scheduled to arrive as free software updates in autumn 2026.
- What devices support the new Apple Intelligence and Siri AI features?Supported devices include iPhone 16 models or later, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 9 or later, Apple Watch SE 3, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later.
