iOS 27 · Released September 14, 2026
Build Shipping train (check Settings → Software Update → More Details for the exact build on your phone)
iOS 27 Release Notes & Highlights
Siri AI, next-generation Apple Intelligence in apps, redesigned Screen Time and child-account tools, Liquid Glass slider, and claimed performance gains versus iOS 26.6.
Key Capabilities & Bug Mitigations
- Siri AI beta in English on Apple Intelligence hardware, with additional languages listed for October 2026.
- Write with Siri, a dedicated Siri app that syncs conversation history over iCloud, Siri mode in Camera, and Visual Intelligence on the current screen.
- Photos: Spatial Reframing, Extend, and an upgraded Clean Up tool. Image Playground gains more styles, including photorealistic.
- Safari tab topics, Notify Me for page changes, Call Context, Describe a Shortcut, and child-account Ask to Browse plus Time Allowances.
- Apple’s published lab notes for the 2027 software releases include faster app launch, faster Photos ingest, and faster AirDrop versus iOS 26.6 on named test devices — performance still varies by model and settings.
Target Audience: Every iPhone that appears on Apple’s iOS 27 list, after a verified backup.
Security: Apple security bulletin
iOS 26 · Released September 14, 2026
Build See More Details on a device still on the iOS 26 train
iOS 26.7 Release Notes & Highlights
Playlist Playground and Concerts in Apple Music, eight new emoji, accessibility motion/brightness controls, AirPods Max 2 support, and security updates.
Key Capabilities & Bug Mitigations
- Apple Music Playlist Playground (beta), Concerts, offline music recognition, Ambient Music widgets, full-screen album backgrounds.
- Reduce bright effects; caption settings from the captions icon; Reduce Motion more reliably damps Liquid Glass animation.
- AirPods Max 2 support; Freeform image tools joining Apple Creator Studio; urgent Reminders; Family Sharing purchase sharing; keyboard accuracy while typing quickly.
Target Audience: Devices remaining on iOS 26 only until they install iOS 27. iOS 27 is the current major train.
Security: Apple security bulletin
iOS 26 · Released September 8, 2026
Build iOS 26.6.2
iOS 26.6.2 Release Notes & Highlights
Fixes an issue that prevented downloading a software update over a cellular connection.
Key Capabilities & Bug Mitigations
- Cellular download path for software updates restored.
Target Audience: Anyone on iOS 26.6.x who could not pull an update off cellular before moving to Wi-Fi or iOS 27.
Security: Apple security bulletin
iOS 26 · Released July 27, 2026
Build iOS 26.6
iOS 26.6 Release Notes & Highlights
Bug fixes, security updates, and Spotlight index work that Apple described as preparation for iOS 27.
Key Capabilities & Bug Mitigations
- Spotlight index optimized ahead of iOS 27.
- Security content via Apple’s bulletin.
Target Audience: Historical: the last broad iOS 26 train before 26.6.1/26.6.2 and 26.7.
Security: Apple security bulletin
iOS 26 · Released June 1, 2026
Build iOS 26.5.1
iOS 26.5.1 Release Notes & Highlights
Addresses wired charging on iPhone Air and iPhone 17 models when the battery is nearly drained.
Key Capabilities & Bug Mitigations
- Wired charging recovery from a near-empty battery on named 2025 hardware.
Target Audience: iPhone Air / iPhone 17 owners who hit the empty-battery charge refusal on iOS 26.5.
Security: Apple security bulletin
iOS 26 · Released September 1, 2025
Build iOS 26.0.1
iOS 26.0.1 Release Notes & Highlights
Launch-week fixes: Wi-Fi/Bluetooth drops on iPhone 17, Air, and 17 Pro; cellular attach failures after the iOS 26 jump; camera artifacts on those models; blank tinted icons; VoiceOver disabling for some users.
Key Capabilities & Bug Mitigations
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth disconnects on iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17 Pro models.
- Some users unable to connect to a cellular network after updating to iOS 26.
- Unexpected photo artifacts on iPhone 17, Air, and 17 Pro in certain lighting.
- Blank app icons after a custom tint; VoiceOver disabling after the iOS 26 update.
Target Audience: Anyone who stayed on first-week iOS 26. The lesson for iOS 27: install the current point release before assuming a unique new bug.
Security: Apple security bulletin
iOS 26 · Released September 15, 2025
Build iOS 26.0
iOS 26 Release Notes & Highlights
Year-based numbering (skipping iOS 19), Liquid Glass design, Visual Intelligence, Live Translation, Call Screening, Hold Assist, and a games app. Dropped iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR.
Key Capabilities & Bug Mitigations
- Liquid Glass across Lock Screen, Home Screen, apps, and controls.
- Visual Intelligence from a screenshot-like gesture; Live Translation in Messages, FaceTime, Phone, and AirPods.
- Call Screening and Hold Assist; Messages screening and backgrounds; CarPlay Liquid Glass.
- Compatibility floor moved to A13 / iPhone 11. iPhone XS, XR, and earlier do not install iOS 26 or iOS 27.
Target Audience: Historical major train. Current phones should be on iOS 27 unless you have a documented reason to wait.
Security: Apple security bulletin
iOS 18 · Released January 27, 2025
Build 22D63
iOS 18.3 Release Notes & Highlights
Late iOS 18 point release on the Apple Intelligence debut train. iPhone XS/XR could still install iOS 18; they cannot install iOS 26 or 27.
Key Capabilities & Bug Mitigations
- Apple Intelligence remained limited to A17 Pro / A18 hardware with sufficient unified memory.
- iPhone XS, XR, 11–15 (non-Pro 15) received the OS train without on-device foundation models.
Target Audience: iPhone XS / XR owners who cannot move to iOS 26/27, until Apple stops signing this train.
Security: 28 CVE rows cataloged