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Apple has released the fourth developer beta of iOS 27. Updated test versions of iPadOS 27, macOS 27 ("Golden Gate"), watchOS 27, tvOS 27, and visionOS 27 are also available – and the public beta now allows users without a developer account to participate. Apple will continue fine-tuning the software until the final release this fall.
Since the start of the iOS 27 beta testing phase at WWDC 2026, Apple has followed its usual pattern: a new build is released every one to two weeks, gradually unlocking features, fixing bugs, and improving stability. With the fourth beta, the system is getting closer to everyday use, though it hasn't yet reached its final state. The official release will take place in September, alongside the next iPhone generation.
iOS 27 Beta 4: What we know so far
At the time of publication, no official release notes detailing specific new features are available. The new version is currently being analyzed. A separate, more detailed report will follow as soon as any visible innovations, functional adjustments, or system-relevant changes are documented.
During the ongoing beta phase, Apple may continue to activate individual features that were presented at WWDC but not yet active. Bug fixes and minor adjustments to the user interface are also to be expected.
Public beta now available for everyone
In addition to the Developer Betas, there is now also the public beta iOS 27 is ready. This allows you to try out the new features without a developer account – all that's needed is... a free registration The Apple Beta Software Program is available at beta.apple.com. The test version will then appear under "Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates". The public beta is considered somewhat more stable than the initial developer betas because Apple irons out the most serious problems beforehand. However, it remains test software: bugs, crashes, and issues with individual apps are still possible, which is why installing it on a secondary device and creating a full backup beforehand is recommended.
Looking back: What iOS 27 brings
The defining theme of iOS 27 is the fundamental overhaul of Siri, which Apple has introduced under the name Siri AI. Siri responds in a more conversational manner, understands on-screen content as well as personal context, and can combine information from the web as well as from messages, emails, and photos. Conversations can be accessed across devices via a dedicated app.
For users in the EU, however, the launch of Siri AI is delayed: Apple cites restrictions imposed by the Digital Markets Act (DMA) as the reason why Siri AI is likely to appear later in the EU than in other regions. The DMA's slowdown of Siri AI on iPhone and iPad is primarily due to interoperability requirements with third-party providers.
Beyond Siri, iOS 27 includes a fully customizable camera app, new AI tools in the Photos app, the "Create a Pass" feature in Wallet, and adjustments to the Liquid Glass interface. Previous betas already sharpened these innovations. – Most recently, the third beta introduced a revamped AirPods interface with a customizable equalizer, and current AirPods can also be used with Siri AI.
When can we expect the final release?
The fourth beta doesn't change the basic timeline: the final iOS 27 will be released in September. A release candidate, corresponding to the final build, is expected in early September, with the public release around September 14th – traditionally a few days before the new iPhones go on sale. Until then, further betas will be released every week to two weeks.
Those who want to test it now can check the list of compatible devices for iOS 27 to see if their iPhone is supported. The Developer Beta is accessible via a free Apple account; the setup is explained in the Developer Beta Installation Guide. Without a developer account, you can use the public beta of iOS 27, which is updated alongside the Developer Betas.
Overview of the other systems
Alongside iOS 27 Beta 4, Apple has also released updated test versions of the other systems:
iPadOS 27 adopts the key new features of iOS 27 and adds iPad-specific adjustments. macOS 27 ("Golden Gate") brings its own optimizations for the Mac. watchOS 27 drops support for five older Apple Watch models. tvOS 27 and visionOS 27 will primarily receive minor adjustments and stability improvements during this phase.
Once specific changes in the individual systems have been documented, these will be addressed separately and in detail.
iOS 27: Here's what's next
With Beta 4 and the concurrent public beta, the iOS 27 testing phase is reaching a wider user base. In the coming weeks, further features will be unlocked, refined, and tested for stability – most notably Siri AI. The full range of functions will likely only become apparent as the beta phase progresses. It's worth considering Apple's past practices: not everything presented at WWDC necessarily appears in the initial release; Apple has even removed some features in the past and only added them in later updates. The specific visible changes included in Beta 4 will be documented in a separate article, as usual, once the analysis is complete. (Image: Apfelpatient)
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