Just two weeks after unveiling iOS 27 at WWDC 2026, Apple has seeded the second developer beta to registered developers. Build number 24A5370h, the update arrives as the first major refinement of Apple’s AI-centric operating system, which is expected to see a public release this fall. While the first beta was a broad introduction to the new vision for iOS, Beta 2 brings meaningful feature rollouts, performance optimizations, and crucial bug fixes that address early adopter feedback.
Here’s everything you need to know about what’s new in iOS 27 Beta 2.
How to Get the Beta
For registered developers, the update is available through the Settings app. Simply navigate to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates, then select iOS 27 Developer Beta. As with any early beta software, Apple recommends installing it on a secondary device rather than your primary iPhone, as bugs, battery drain, and app compatibility issues are to be expected. Public betas are scheduled to arrive in July, with the final release expected in the fall.
Siri AI Takes Center Stage
The headline feature of iOS 27—and the focus of this beta—is the completely rebuilt Siri AI, powered by Apple’s next-generation language models and the Apple Intelligence framework. Beta 2 makes significant strides in bringing this new assistant to life.
Write with Siri
Perhaps the most visible new addition is Write with Siri, which replaces the older AI-powered Writing Tools prompt. A large prompt now appears above the software keyboard before you start typing; it shrinks to just the Siri icon if you begin writing without assistance. This feature is available on both iPhone and iPad, representing a more seamless integration of AI assistance directly into the typing experience.
Dynamic Island Integration
Siri AI now works directly through the Dynamic Island rather than appearing as a traditional orb at the bottom of the screen. When activated, the Dynamic Island expands with fluid animations, creating a more immersive and visually cohesive interaction. This represents a fundamental shift in how users will interact with Apple’s voice assistant.
Dedicated Siri App
For the first time, iOS 27 introduces a standalone Siri application. This app allows users to review their entire history of AI conversations, analyses, and synced data across devices from a single panel. It’s a significant step toward making AI interactions more transparent and manageable.
Performance and Stability
Beyond new features, this beta focuses on making Siri AI faster and more stable. Apple is refining the assistant’s ability to understand personal context, be aware of on-screen content, and perform deep actions across applications. Elements of the Expressive Voice preview are now labeled as “coming soon,” indicating that the full Siri AI experience is still rolling out.
Liquid Glass Design Refinements
iOS 27’s new Liquid Glass design language receives further polish in Beta 2. Users can now adjust the transparency level of interface elements through a new control in Settings. Icons gain a more advanced crystal effect with greater visual depth. These refinements contribute to a more cohesive and premium aesthetic across the operating system.
Messages and RCS Enhancements
The Messages app sees welcome updates for RCS (Rich Communication Services) communications. Beta 2 introduces support for message reactions and in-line replies for RCS. This continues Apple’s trend of increasing synergy and security between Apple and non-Apple device messaging, bringing feature parity closer to iMessage for cross-platform conversations.
Wallet Insights Expansion
Apple Wallet’s Insights feature—which provides users with spending analysis and financial trends—is now extended to a greater number of card types and new regions. This expansion makes the feature more useful for a broader user base.
iPhone Mirroring Improvements
The iPhone Mirroring feature in macOS Golden Gate has received important fixes. Beta 1 users reported crashes and instability; Beta 2 resolves many of these issues, making the cross-device screen-sharing experience smoother and more reliable.
AirPods Max 2 Firmware Updates
In a practical quality-of-life improvement, iOS 27 Beta 2 now allows AirPods Max 2 to update their firmware directly through the iPhone. This eliminates the need for separate update procedures and keeps accessories current with the latest improvements.
Home App and Apple TV 4K
The Home app now supports remote updates for Apple TV 4K, allowing users to keep their set-top boxes up to date without being physically present—a small but welcome convenience for smart home enthusiasts.
Performance and Visual Intelligence
Beyond new features, Beta 2 delivers notable performance improvements. Animations are faster, apps open up to 30% quicker, and services like Photos and AirDrop operate with significantly enhanced speed—in some cases up to 80% faster thanks to internal system optimizations.
The Photos app receives major upgrades powered by Apple Intelligence. The Clean Up tool now removes complex objects with more natural results. A new Extend function allows users to expand images beyond their original frame, generating additional AI-created content. Perhaps most impressively, Reframe can recreate a scene in 3D to change the angle or perspective of a photograph after it’s been taken.
Visual Intelligence technology is also embedded directly into the system, with a new Siri button added to the Camera app.
Developer-Focused Changes
Apple has included various API updates and fixes so developers can properly test their apps ahead of the public launch. These under-the-hood changes ensure that third-party applications will be ready for the new OS when it reaches consumers.
Compatibility and What’s Next
iOS 27 is compatible with iPhone 11 and later models. However, Siri AI features require more advanced hardware, specifically iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Air or newer. watchOS 27 has not yet been distributed in this round of beta releases but is expected soon.
The final version of iOS 27 is slated for a fall release. With public betas arriving in July, testers have several months to explore and provide feedback before the official launch.
Final Thoughts
iOS 27 Beta 2 is a meaningful step forward from the initial developer preview. While the first beta established the vision—an AI-first operating system built around a rebuilt Siri—this second beta begins to deliver on that promise with tangible features like Write with Siri, Dynamic Island integration, and a standalone Siri app. Combined with design refinements, RCS improvements, and significant performance gains, it’s clear that Apple is moving swiftly toward a polished fall release.
That said, this remains early beta software. Users should expect bugs, battery drain, and app compatibility issues. But for those willing to test the cutting edge, iOS 27 Beta 2 offers an exciting glimpse into the future of the iPhone experience—one where AI is not just a feature, but the foundation of the operating system itself.