iOS 27 is coming soon: Will your Apple device qualify for latest update?

(NEXSTAR) – It’s early September, which means Apple is preparing to unveil new technology and devices. For the most casual Apple users, the largest change coming out of Wednesday’s “Surprise and Shine” event is likely the newest iOS.

Apple revealed iOS 27 during its Worldwide Developers Conference in June and is expected to follow its usual pattern of releasing the update to general users later this month, after Wednesday’s event.

Users who participate in the Apple Developer Program and the Apple Beta Software Program have already had access to iOS 27. Tech sites and blogs have noted an improvement to Apple’s AI features and Safari under the new operating system, among other updates .

Here’s what we know about iOS 27, including which devices will be able to get it:

Siri will be getting a major update as part of iOS 27, Apple announced in June. A “new Siri AI” – Apple Intelligence, in this case – will get a new app and become “an even more capable AI assistant with expanded intelligence to be more helpful every day.”

AI editing tools will be coming to your photos, and your camera will be able to perform a visual search with Siri’s help ( a similar feature already exists ). The “Call Context” feature will find “relevant information from across your apps,” like a flight confirmation code while calling an airline, Apple explained.

If Liquid Glass , unveiled in iOS 26, still annoys you, you may appreciate the new slider coming with iOS 27 that will allow you to adjust the glassiness of elements to enhance readability. The new update will also make app launches and AirDrop transfers faster.

App launches, AirDrop transfers, Safari, and other actions are expected to become faster under iOS 27.

There’s also an emphasis on security, including child safety features to control which apps your child has access to, limit “time allowances” on apps, and approve new websites via text before they are opened. Another feature, Communication Safety, aims to “protect children from viewing or sharing nudity in Messages, FaceTime, and more.”

It’s likely. If your iPhone is running on iOS 26, then you’ll also have access to iOS 27.

These devices are eligible for iOS 27, according to Apple:

iPad Pro (M4 and later), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation and later), iPad Air 13-inch (M2 and later), iPad Air 11-inch (M2, M3, and M4), iPad Air 11-inch (4th generation and later), iPad (A16), iPad (9th generation and later), iPad mini (A17 Pro), and iPad mini (6th generation and later)

Watch SE 3, Watch Series 10 and 11, and Watch Ultra 2 and 3

Some older iPad models that got iOS 26 will not be eligible for iOS 27. That includes 3rd generation iPad Pro 12.9-inch, 1st generation iPad Pro 11-inch, 3rd generation iPad Air, 8th generation iPad, and 5th generation iPad mini. Many older Apple Watches will also no longer receive the next iOS update.

It’s worth noting that Apple Intelligence is only available on iPhone 16 and 17 models and iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.

Not sure which device you have? On iPhone, open the Settings app, then go to General, then About. Apple offers steps on identifying iPads using the model number.

You’ll also want to make sure you have enough space on your phone for the update. Apple’s free updates typically require several gigabytes of space.

Apple didn’t give a specific date for when iOS 27 will be available for download. However, the most recent major updates have all been released within a week of the related Apple event.

Tech experts have suggested Apple could officially release iOS 27 on Monday, Sept. 14, continuing a pattern of Monday iOS launches.

Apple says iOS 27 is coming this fall, with Siri AI in English being released “later this year.”