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iOS 27 makes several changes to iCloud simultaneously: photos upload faster, shared albums open on Android and Windows, and some of the new AI features depend on the storage plan. Users in the EU also benefit from a unique feature not found in any international comparison.
The iCloud updates in iOS 27 are spread across many apps and therefore rarely feature prominently in beta reports. Nevertheless, they've been visible for some time: Since the start of the testing phase in July, the changes in Photos, Home, Passwords, and Journal have been noticeable, and with Beta 4, Apple further refined the update in July. Two things stand out: Some of the features require a specific iCloud+ plan, and others aren't available on EU devices at launch.
Photos are uploaded faster and across all platforms
The most noticeable change concerns the upload process. In iOS 27, the iPhone starts uploading new photos to the iCloud Photo Library earlier, so images appear noticeably faster on iPads and Macs.
In addition, there's a switch that forces uploads for 24 hours regardless of battery level, after which it automatically deactivates. Previously, synchronization paused when the battery was low – anyone who needed quick access to their recordings after an appointment had no way to override this.
Shared albums are also opening up to other platforms: Android and Windows users will soon be able to upload their own photos to a shared album. To ensure the images remain usable in both directions, shared albums will save photos and videos in full resolution. This was previously the main criticism of this feature, as content in shared albums was heavily compressed.
The remaining changes to the app are independent of this – a complete picture is provided by the overview of the Photos app in iOS 27.
Collaboration receives previews and access requests
Shared iCloud links in iOS 27 display a significantly more informative preview, allowing users to see what the document is before opening it. Users who don't have access to a shared document can request it directly, instead of having to contact the sender separately.
Apple also mentions faster access to shared content via iCloud.com and an easier-to-access share link when creating new shares.
Passwords and journal will be moved after
The Passwords app in iOS 27 can automatically replace weak passwords. The feature accesses the iCloud Keychain and Safari, logs into the affected services, and replaces the password directly there – Apple had already announced this at WWDC. This requires an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence.
In the Journal app, starting with iOS 27, it's visible for each entry whether it has already been synced with iCloud. A small detail that makes all the difference between a complete and incomplete journal when switching devices.
What the memory plan additionally unlocks
Two feature sets in iOS 27 are directly tied to the subscribed iCloud+ plan. AI-powered analysis from HomeKit Secure Video cameras - text summaries as notifications, searchable events in the timeline, and linking the same person across multiple cameras - requires at least the 2TB plan. Additionally, a Home hub such as a HomePod, HomePod mini, or Apple TV 4K, as well as an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone (iPhone 15 Pro or later), are required. 4K recording, a new feature of HomeKit Secure Video in iOS 27, does not require AI or the 2TB plan.
The second group concerns the daily limits of individual Apple Intelligence features, such as image creation in Image Playground. These limits are higher with an iCloud+ subscription, even though the features themselves don't cost anything extra. Apple hasn't provided specific figures for either the free tier or the individual plans.
| iCloud+ plan | Price per month | HomeKit cameras | Home AI in iOS 27 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 GB (free) | 0,00 € | none | no |
| 50 GB | 0,99 € | 1 | no |
| 200 GB | 2,99 € | 5 | no |
| 2 TB | 9,99 € | unlimited | Yes |
| 6 TB | 29,99 € | unlimited | Yes |
| 12 TB | 59,99 € | unlimited | Yes |
Every paid iCloud+ plan can be shared with up to five other people via Family Sharing – details can be found in the iCloud cost overview.
Why Siri synchronization is failing in the EU
Internationally, cross-device synchronization of the Siri app is one of the iCloud innovations of iOS 27: Conversations can be pinned, resumed later, and switched between iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This feature is not available for EU devices.
On June 8, 2026, Apple announced that it would not be able to release Siri AI in the European Union with the launch of iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, citing the requirements of the Digital Markets Act. This affects all 27 member states, including Germany and Austria. There is no timeline for the feature's release. The restriction extends beyond iPhone and iPad: Siri AI arrived on the Apple Watch with watchOS 27, but requires a paired iPhone with Siri AI and therefore remains unavailable in the EU. According to Apple, access is only available on Macs running macOS 27 and on the Apple Vision Pro running visionOS 27, as these platforms do not fall under the same gatekeeper classification. The technical and regulatory background of this separation is explained in the article on the DMA conflict.
Switzerland is neither part of the EU nor the EEA and is not affected by this restriction – Siri AI starts there on iPhone and iPad as in the rest of the world.
In practical terms, this means that for the iCloud aspect: A Mac in Germany can save Siri conversations to iCloud, but the iPhone next to it cannot initially. A continuous chat history across all devices will only be possible once Apple and the Commission reach an agreement. This case joins a growing list of Apple features that are missing in the EU.
For whom a bigger plan is worthwhile now
If you've only used iCloud for backup and photo library so far, iOS 27 won't change much for you – the upload and sharing improvements apply to all plans, including the free 5 GB.
The upgrade to 2 TB becomes truly worthwhile in one specific scenario: if you operate multiple HomeKit Secure Video cameras and no longer want to manually scroll through the events. The price difference between 200 GB and 2 TB is seven euros per month, or 84 euros per year. For a household with two or three cameras, this is a worthwhile investment – but probably not for a single doorbell camera.
Anyone upgrading their data plan solely because of Apple's daily AI limits should wait: As long as Apple doesn't release any figures, the benefits can't be quantified. And for iPhone users in the EU, the most prominent AI component remains unavailable anyway.
iCloud in iOS 27: The most important points at a glance
This year, the focus is less on new storage features and more on speed and openness: faster uploads, shared albums in full resolution across platforms, and usable previews for shared files. The second strand links AI features to the plan, making the 2TB plan, for the first time, more than just a storage issue.
iOS 27 will be released in September alongside the new iPhone models. Until then, it remains unclear what daily limits Apple will set for the AI functions – and whether there will be any changes to the situation regarding Siri AI in the EU. (Image: Apple)
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