iOS 27 on iPhone: how to update and which models get it

Before you update to iOS 27, spend two minutes on three checks: whether your iPhone is on the supported list, whether you have a recent backup, and whether there is free space on the device. Once that is sorted, the update itself takes a few taps.

Apple introduced iOS 27 at WWDC in June and released it to everyone on September 14, 2026. The device list matches iOS 26: if your iPhone got the previous version, it gets this one too.

Which iPhones get iOS 27

The update supports the iPhone 11 and every model released after it, including the iPhone 12 through 17 lines, the iPhone Air and the latest models, plus the second and third generation iPhone SE.

Supported does not mean every feature. Apple Intelligence and the new Siri are limited to the iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max and later. An iPhone 13 or 14 updates and gets the new look and security fixes, but not the AI features.

How to update from the iPhone itself

1. Back up first in Settings, tap your name, then iCloud and iCloud Backup. Check the date of the last backup before moving on.
2. Plug the iPhone into a charger and connect to Wi-Fi. The update will not start on a low battery.
3. Open Settings, tap General, then Software Update.
4. Pick iOS 27 if more than one option appears. Sometimes the screen also offers a security update for the previous version.
5. Tap Update Now and enter your passcode when asked.
6. Wait for the download and installation to finish. The iPhone restarts on its own at the end, which can take from a few minutes to almost an hour depending on your connection.

When it turns back on, the iPhone may show a few setup screens. Read them carefully, because that is where the new privacy options show up.

To confirm it worked, open Settings, General and About. The iOS Version field shows the installed number. If it starts with 27, the device is on the new system.

If you would rather not repeat this for every fix, turn on automatic updates in Settings, General, Software Update and Automatic Updates. The iPhone then installs smaller releases overnight while charging and on Wi-Fi.

If the update does not appear or gets stuck, use a computer

When the option does not show up, the usual reason is storage. In Settings, General, iPhone Storage, the system suggests what you can remove, such as unused apps and old videos.

Another common reason is that the device is not on the list. There is no workaround in that case: the iPhone keeps getting security updates only for the version it supports.

If it still gets stuck, update over a cable. On a Mac, connect the iPhone, open Finder and select it in the sidebar. On Windows, use the Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store. In both cases, click Check for Update and follow the prompts. Installing from a computer often gets past corrupted downloads that stall the update on the phone.

A note on version numbers: sources disagree on which iOS 27 build is the latest right now, because Apple ships fixes often. Do not worry about the exact number. The iPhone always offers the newest version available for your model.

After the update, the logical next step is reviewing privacy and battery settings. Big updates tend to turn some permissions back on and change how apps behave in the background, which is why many people notice shorter battery life in the first days. It usually settles once the system finishes reindexing photos and files.

It is also worth opening the App Store and updating every app the same day. Developers usually ship fixes for a new system right after release, and an outdated app is the most frequent cause of crashes in the first weeks.