The iOS 27 beta is here: here’s how to get it on your iPhone

Apple’s recently announced iOS 27 update won’t officially be available until the fall, but you can get a taste of the performance improvements and new Siri features the company showed off at WWDC 2026 by downloading a developer beta today. Apple has made beta versions available for iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches and more, but you need to be aware of what you’re getting into before moving forward.

Running beta software is not without risks. Always back up your device before running a development beta on it. Ideally, you should also install the beta on a secondary device rather than your personal iPhone. This year, since Apple is rolling out Siri AI in beta, you’ll also need to sign up for a waitlist before you can access the new Siri app.

Playing with buggy software isn’t for everyone. Early developer betas typically lack some of the coolest new features and can impact battery life and overall stability. Fortunately, if you don’t want to take such a big gamble with your hardware, Apple usually offers a more advanced version of its software through a free public beta program in July or August.

You can create an Apple Developer account online or through the Apple Developer app on your iPhone or iPad if a passcode or Face ID is enabled. To register via the application:

1. Open it Apple Developer App.

2. Tap or click the Account tab.

3. Sign in with an Apple account that has two-factor authentication enabled. (This does not have to be your personal account.)

4. Accept it Apple Developer Agreementif you are invited.

5. Tap or click Register now.

6. Review the program benefits and tap or click Continue.

7. Enter your personal information and verify your identity with a driver’s license or other type of government identification.

8. Confirm the information you entered by tapping Continue.

9. Select Individual.

10. Accept the terms of Apple Developer License Agreement.

11. Tap or click Subscribe to create an Apple Developer account.

Your account subscription will renew every year until you cancel it. Once set up, you will use the Apple account you associated with your Apple Developer profile to download the beta builds to your device.

Thanks to Apple’s supposed desire to make all of its latest operating system updates more efficient and capable, the iOS 27 developer beta actually works with all the same iPhones as iOS 26. To run iOS 27, you’ll need one of the following models:

Before you continue, make sure to back up your iPhone so you can go back if you lose anything while upgrading to the beta.

Once that’s set, sign in to the Apple account associated with your Apple Developer profile on your iPhone and go to Settings > General > Software Update. You should see the iOS 27 beta as one of the available developer betas that you can download. Just tap on the beta version to start installing it on your iPhone.

You’ll need one of the following iPad models to try the iPadOS 27 beta:

• iPad mini (6th generation and later)

• iPad mini (A17 Pro)

• iPad (9th generation and later)

• iPad (A16)

• iPad Air 11-inch (4th generation and later)

• iPad Air 11-inch (M2, M3 and M4)

• 13-inch iPad Air (M2 and later)

• iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation and later)

• 12.9-inch iPad Pro (4th generation and later)

• iPad Pro (M4 and later)

The iPadOS 27 beta installation process is similar to that of iOS 27. Make sure your iPad is backed up and you’re signed in to the Apple account you associated with your Apple Developer profile. You will not be able to view or download the beta unless you are logged in to the correct account.

Then head to Settings > General > Software Update and tap iPadOS 27 Beta. You may be prompted to plug in your tablet, but the beta should start downloading and installing.

Apple says the following Apple Watch models can run watchOS 27:

• Apple Watch SE3

• Apple Watch Series 9

• Apple Watch Series 10

• Apple Watch Series 11

• Apple Watch Ultra2

• Apple Watch Ultra 3

The only problem with testing the watchOS 27 beta is that you must already have the iOS 27 beta installed on your iPhone before you can access the updated smartwatch operating system. In general, watchOS beta versions are also more difficult to manage because there is no way to revert to the previous operating system after updating. Perhaps more than any beta, consider installing this as a secondary device rather than a daily driver: If you want to use the watchOS 27 beta, you’ll be stuck with it until the next stable version comes out.

Accepting these glaring drawbacks, the process is similar to iOS and iPadOS. Make sure your Apple Watch is paired with an iPhone running the iOS 27 beta, then go to the Watch app. Below General > Software Update Tap watchOS 27 Developer Beta to start installing it on your Apple Watch.