iOS 27 includes new iCloud features in several apps like Apple Home, Siri, Photos, etc. There are direct improvements to iCloud such as upgrades to photo uploading and sharing, as well as new indirect features.
HomeKit secure video cameras (iCloud+)
If you have HomeKit Secure Video cameras, the Home app in iOS 27 has some useful new Apple Intelligence features.
You can receive text summaries of what’s happening, sent as notifications. So when you receive a motion notification, it will say something like “Someone seen” or “Animal seen.”
Text descriptions are also displayed in the video playback timeline and you can search for specific events. Events playing out on two cameras, such as the same person walking from one room to another, are combined to provide a glimpse of the action throughout the house.
The Apple Intelligence features in the Home app require a 2TB or larger iCloud+ plan, which starts at $9.99 in the US. The 2TB plan is also the required plan for unlimited HomeKit Secure Video cameras.
HomeKit Secure Video cameras have always required an iCloud+ plan to store camera footage in iCloud. Only one camera can be added with the 50 GB plan, and five cameras can be added with the 200 GB plan.
To use the features of the Apple Intelligence Home app, you need a home hub like a HomePod, HomePod mini, or Apple TV 4K, and a device that supports Apple Intelligence (iPhone 15 Pro or newer).
HomeKit Secure Video cameras can also record up to 4K footage in iOS 27, but this feature does not use Apple Intelligence.
Increased Apple Intelligence Limit (iCloud+)
Apple said at WWDC that some Apple Intelligence features, such as generating images with Image Playground, will have daily use limits.
These limits can be increased with most iCloud+ plans. Apple has not given a list of features that will have limits beyond Image Playground, nor has it indicated what the limits will be without an iCloud+ plan and with the tiered options.
Siri
Siri conversations in the Siri app sync across all devices using iCloud. The Siri app lets you review previous conversations, start new conversations, pin important chats, and continue chats on iOS, macOS, and iPadOS.
Pictures
There are several new iCloud features in the Photos app.
- Prioritize sync – There is a toggle to force all your photos to be uploaded to iCloud regardless of battery status. It turns on for 24 hours then turns off.
- Shared albums – Android and Windows users can upload photos to shared albums. Shared albums also retain full-resolution photos and videos to support cross-platform sharing functionality.
- Download Speed – iPhones will now start downloading iCloud photos faster to make images available faster on all devices.
Collaboration
- Link previews – iCloud collaboration links now show richer previews so you can see more clearly what was sent to you.
- Access requests – Users can send access requests to items shared via iCloud.
- Speed – Apple says users will benefit from faster access to content shared on iCloud.com.
- Links – Linking to iCloud content is easier with a more accessible share link.
Newspaper
You can now see the iCloud sync status for each log entry.
Passwords
The Passwords app can use Apple Intelligence to automatically fix weak passwords in iOS 27. It uses iCloud Keychain and Safari to work.
An Apple Intelligence compatible iPhone is required to use this feature.
Learn more
More information on the features of iOS 27 can be found in our overview.
Launch date
iOS 27 is available to developers and public beta testers. It will launch in September alongside new iPhone models.
