How to Install iOS 27 Public Beta on Your iPhone

MacRumors · 2026-07-13T23:16:23-0700

Apple has made available the first public beta of iOS 27, bringing a more stable version of the software to a wider audience following lengthy testing by developers. Keep reading to learn how to prepare your device for the beta software and how to install it.

Signing up to get the ‌iOS 27 or ‌iPadOS 27 public beta is simple once you know how – it can be done by enrolling an iPhone or iPad in Apple's free Apple Beta Software Program. The steps you need to complete to install the software on your device are provided towards the end of this article, but before you jump ahead, here are a few things worth considering.

Is My iPhone Compatible With iOS 27?

iOS 27 is supported on iPhone 11 and all of the same iPhone models as iOS 26. They include the following:

iPhone 17e
iPhone 17
iPhone 17 Pro & Pro Max
iPhone Air
iPhone 16e
iPhone 16
iPhone 16 Plus
iPhone 16 Pro
iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPhone 15
iPhone 15 Plus
iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 14
iPhone 14 Plus

iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 14 Pro Max
iPhone 13
iPhone 13 mini
iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone 12
iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 12 Pro
iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 11 Pro
iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone 11
iPhone SE (3rd generation)

Is My iPad Compatible With iOS 27?

iPadOS 27 cuts support for more iPad models than last year's iPadOS 26 did, with older iPad Pro, iPad Air, ‌iPad‌, and iPad mini models all losing compatibility. iPadOS 27 is supported on the following iPad models:

13-inch iPad Pro (M4)
12.9-inch iPad Pro (6th generation)
12.9-inch iPad Pro (5th generation)
12.9-inch iPad Pro (4th generation)
11-inch iPad Pro (M4)
11-inch iPad Pro (4th generation)
11-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation)
11-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation)
iPad Air (M3)

iPad Air (M2)
iPad Air (5th generation)
iPad Air (4th generation)
iPad (A16)
iPad (10th generation)
iPad (9th generation)
iPad mini (A17 Pro)
iPad mini (6th generation)

Note that this compatibility list does not mean that all iOS 27/iPadOS 27 features will work with the above models. Several of the update's features are exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro and newer models, since they rely on Apple Intelligence.

For example, iOS 27's more intelligent and personal version of Siri is available on the iPhone 15 Pro and newer, while two specific features tied to it are exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air.
Should I Install iOS 27 Public Beta?

Great question! Before downloading the update, it's worth noting that Apple does not recommend installing iOS 27 beta updates on your main iPhone/iPad, so if you have a secondary device, use that. This is beta software, which means there are often bugs and issues that pop up that can prevent software from working properly or cause other problems. Apple still has fixes to make before the final release in September.

Make an Archived Backup of Your Device First

Before installing the beta, make sure to back up your iOS device before installing the software using the following method, otherwise you won't be able to revert back to iOS 26 if things go wrong.

Plug your iPhone into your Mac using the supplied cable.
Allow the accessory to connect by clicking Allow in the dialog prompt.
Open a Finder window by clicking the Finder icon in the Dock.
Click your iOS device's name in the sidebar.

If this is the first time connecting your device to your Mac, click Trust in the Finder window.

Tap Trust on your device when prompted, then enter your passcode to confirm.
In the General tab, click the circle next to where it says Back up all of the data on your iPad to this Mac.
If you want to encrypt the backup, check the box next to Encrypt local backup, then enter a password to protect your data.
If you don't want to create an encrypted backup, or you've already set up encrypted backups, click Back Up Now.

When the backup is finished, you can find the date and time of the last backup in the General tab, just above the Manage Backups button. Remember that this backup will not be overwritten when you manually or automatically back up your iPhone in the future, so you can restore it at any time by using the Restore Backup... option in the same Finder screen.

How to Download iOS 27 Public Beta

Downloading and install the iOS 27 Public Beta is very straightforward. Simply follow these steps:

Head over to Apple's Beta Software Program website and sign up using your Apple Account credentials.

Now go to Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update on your iPhone.
Tap Beta Updates. If you don't see the option, try switching off Download iOS Updates (Automatic Updates ➝ Download iOS Updates), then tap Back and it should appear.
Select iOS 27 Public Beta in the list, then tap Back.
Wait for the Software Update screen to check Apple's servers. When the iOS 27 Public Beta appears, tap Download and Install, then follow the instructions and wait for installation to complete.

iOS 27 Features

iOS 27's headline change is a... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: How to Install iOS 27 Public Beta on Your iPhone

CalMin · 2026-07-13T23:21:31-0700

Do not go gentle into that iOS beta
Rage, rage against the Install button.

martin2345uk · 2026-07-13T23:47:21-0700

I was gonna install the beta on my iPad but I only have 15gb storage left and it needs a stonking 27gb!

I guess my iPad is staying on 26 😂

horsefeathers · 2026-07-13T23:59:55-0700

CalMin said:
Do not go gentle into that iOS beta
Rage, rage against the Install button.

Normally, that’s exactly how I feel. But I detest iOS 26 so much…so so so much…I figured the beta couldn’t possibly be a worse experience.

iMatt. · 2026-07-14T03:04:42-0700

I’m on the latest Dev Beta on my iPhone but when I switch to Public Beta there’s no option to install?

SmugMaverick · 2026-07-14T03:47:05-0700

horsefeathers said:
Normally, that’s exactly how I feel. But I detest iOS 26 so much…so so so much…I figured the beta couldn’t possibly be a worse experience.

Same, had no choice because of the battery drain.

dbwie · 2026-07-14T04:14:59-0700

I will wait until September before installing on my iPhone, but it’s looking good so far on my iPad. No major bugs encountered in my first few hours of usage.

Question: It is going through the Siri AI indexing now, on my iPad. When I install later on my iPhone, will that device need to index also or will this iPad indexing be used for all of my devices when they are updated?

phuklok1 · 2026-07-14T04:39:59-0700

for people who don't use indexing at all i wish there was a way to stop it from wasting my cpu and battery doing it for hours on end. like the setting on macos. too bad.

gagarin · 2026-07-14T05:02:51-0700

Seems like you have missed SE2 in the list of compatible iPhones

MacRumors said:
Apple has made available the first public beta of iOS 27, bringing a more stable version of the software to a wider audience following lengthy testing by developers. Keep reading to learn how to prepare your device for the beta software and how to install it.

Signing up to get the ‌iOS 27 or ‌iPadOS 27 public beta is simple once you know how – it can be done by enrolling an iPhone or iPad in Apple's free Apple Beta Software Program. The steps you need to complete to install the software on your device are provided towards the end of this article, but before you jump ahead, here are a few things worth considering.

Is My iPhone Compatible With iOS 27?

iOS 27 is supported on iPhone 11 and all of the same iPhone models as iOS 26. They include the following:

iPhone 17e

iPhone 17

iPhone 17 Pro & Pro Max

iPhone Air

iPhone 16e

iPhone 16

iPhone 16 Plus

iPhone 16 Pro

iPhone 16 Pro Max

iPhone 15

iPhone 15 Plus

iPhone 15 Pro

iPhone 15 Pro Max

iPhone 14

iPhone 14 Plus

iPhone 14 Pro

iPhone 14 Pro Max

iPhone 13

iPhone 13 mini

iPhone 13 Pro

iPhone 13 Pro Max

iPhone 12

iPhone 12 mini

iPhone 12 Pro

iPhone 12 Pro Max

iPhone 11 Pro

iPhone 11 Pro Max

iPhone 11

iPhone SE (3rd generation)

Is My iPad Compatible With iOS 27?

iPadOS 27 cuts support for more iPad models than last year's iPadOS 26 did, with older iPad Pro, iPad Air, ‌iPad‌, and iPad mini models all losing compatibility. iPadOS 27 is supported on the following iPad models:

13-inch iPad Pro (M4)

12.9-inch iPad Pro (6th generation)

12.9-inch iPad Pro (5th generation)

12.9-inch iPad Pro (4th generation)

11-inch iPad Pro (M4)

11-inch iPad Pro (4th generation)

11-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation)

11-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation)

iPad Air (M3)

iPad Air (M2)

iPad Air (5th generation)

iPad Air (4th generation)

iPad (A16)

iPad (10th generation)

iPad (9th generation)

iPad mini (A17 Pro)

iPad mini (6th generation)

Note that this compatibility list does not mean that all iOS 27/iPadOS 27 features will work with the above models. Several of the update's features are exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro and newer models, since they rely on Apple Intelligence.

For example, iOS 27's more intelligent and personal version of Siri is available on the iPhone 15 Pro and newer, while two specific features tied to it are exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air.
Should I Install iOS 27 Public Beta?

Great question! Before downloading the update, it's worth noting that Apple does not recommend installing iOS 27 beta updates on your main iPhone/iPad, so if you have a secondary device, use that. This is beta software, which means there are often bugs and issues that pop up that can prevent software from working properly or cause other problems. Apple still has fixes to make before the final release in September.

Make an Archived Backup of Your Device First

Before installing the beta, make sure to back up your iOS device before installing the software using the following method, otherwise you won't be able to revert back to iOS 26 if things go wrong.

Plug your iPhone into your Mac using the supplied cable.

Allow the accessory to connect by clicking Allow in the dialog prompt.

Open a Finder window by clicking the Finder icon in the Dock.

Click your iOS device's name in the sidebar.

If this is the first time connecting your device to your Mac, click Trust in the Finder window.

Tap Trust on your device when prompted, then enter your passcode to confirm.

In the General tab, click the circle next to where it says Back up all of the data on your iPad to this Mac.

If you want to encrypt the backup, check the box next to Encrypt local backup, then enter a password to protect your data.

If you don't want to create an encrypted backup, or you've already set up encrypted backups, click Back Up Now.

When the backup is finished, you can find the date and time of the last backup in the General tab, just above the Manage Backups button. Remember that this backup will not be overwritten when you manually or automatically back up your iPhone in the future, so you can restore it at any time by using the Restore Backup... option in the same Finder screen.

How to Download iOS 27 Public Beta

Downloading and install the iOS 27 Public Beta is very straightforward. Simply follow these steps:

Head over to Apple's Beta Software Program website and sign up using your Apple Account credentials.

Now go to Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update on your iPhone.

Tap Beta Updates. If you don't see the option, try switching off Download iOS Updates (Automatic Updates ➝ Download iOS Updates), then tap Back and it should appear.

Select iOS 27 Public Beta in the list, then tap Back.

Wait for the Software Update screen to check Apple's servers. When the iOS 27 Public Beta appears, tap Download and Install, then follow the instructions and wait for installation to complete.

iOS 27 Features

iOS 27's headline change is a... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: How to Install iOS 27 Public Beta on Your iPhone

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