Apple’s 2026 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) just wrapped. This is their annual event where they show off the latest updates coming to iPhones, iPads and Macs.
So what’s new? Apple users can expect lots of exciting features hitting the next software update. They’ve announced big steps in Apple Intelligence, Siri AI, and much more in iOS 27.
Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence is Apple’s built-in AI system - designed to perform tasks such as writing text, editing images, and retrieving information. All from text or voice prompts. And the next generation has just been unveiled. Here’s what you’ll get.
New photo tools
Apple are adding in some new photo editing features. Boosted by Apple Intelligence, they’re designed to enhance your images, without losing the charm of the original.
Spatial reframing lets you change the perspective of a photo even after it’s been taken! Press and drag an image to reframe it, and you’ll see the new angle instantly.
Extend tool gives you more room to play with around your photos. You can expand your photo beyond its original frame, and Apple Intelligence fills in the extra space.
Clean up is getting an upgrade. When you want to remove unwanted bits from images, it fills the space with detail generated that matches surrounding textures and lighting.
Image Playground is also being revamped to create more detailed images. Create personalised pictures using text prompts and edit them to match your vision. It offers different design styles like photorealism, basic animation, or types of illustrations.
All your Safari tabs, tamed
If you’re someone who keeps loads of windows open, the new Safari update includes new tab management features. Apple Intelligence sorts your open tabs into groups based on what you’re browsing to make it easier to find what you need.
Notify Me sets up custom alerts for live updates on things you’re waiting for. For example, you can get a notification if an item comes back in stock or if a price drops without repeatedly checking.
Passwords that stay protected
Apple users are already used to being notified when their passwords are poor or have been compromised. Now, the Passwords app can use Apple Intelligence to automatically update weak passwords and store them securely for you.
Calls that know your business
Call Context pulls up useful details as soon as your call starts. Apple Intelligence searches your phone and brings up information that relates to the business you’re calling. So flight numbers, order references and confirmation codes are to hand as soon as the call starts.
Stay organised with one-tap suggestions
Messages now has one-tap suggestions to help you keep on top of things. Based on your conversations, Messages can suggest tools such as Reminders or Notes to log info like scheduled plans or shopping items, so everything is stored automatically.
One-tap suggestions can even search up photos based on keywords, people and locations. So if a friend messages and asks to see group holiday photos, your phone automatically gets to work finding them.
Shortcuts that simplify everyday tasks
Shortcuts now uses Apple Intelligence to help you set automatic actions to custom events. For example, it can detect when you leave a location, calculate a route, and send a message with your ETA.
Accessibility at the forefront
VoiceOver is getting an upgrade to give better support to blind or low-vision users. With help from Apple Intelligence, it can give better descriptions of everything that’s happening on-screen as well as what’s going on around you. Just point the camera at your surroundings, ask a question, and VoiceOver will give you a visual summary.
In addition, Voice Control helps users navigate their iPhone or iPad entirely by using their voice. It’s better at understanding natural conversation. So you can casually speak to your device, and it’ll understand what you want it to do. You won’t need to memorise any specific terms or exact phrase commands.
Siri AI
An updated version of Siri is here, charged by Apple Intelligence. Siri AI is the next step in personal assistants, with a new Siri app, visual intelligence capabilities, and better conversations.
On-screen awareness
Siri AI can now see what’s on your screen and engage with what’s there. If you want to know where a photo was taken or simply want to know what you’re looking at, just ask Siri.
Siri searches for more
It’s not just online answers. Siri can find what you need inside your actual phone too. So, if you can’t remember what restaurant your friend recommended or want to find that hilarious dog photo, Siri can search across your apps to find what you’re looking for.
Customise your conversations
Siri’s voice now sounds more conversational and can emphasise key words when speaking. Use the sliders to adjust expressivity and pace to find the settings that really speak to you.
Siri’s app logs your chats
Revisit old conversations with Siri and start new ones all in one place, as the Siri app syncs with iCloud across all your Apple devices. And you can find more helpful writing tools. Just explain what you need and Siri can draft up anything from a professional sounding email to a vegan-friendly shopping list.
Platform improvements
Along with lots of AI-led developments, Apple’s also added a few smaller updates to make everyday use smoother.
Liquid Glass looks how you want
You can now customise how your iPhone’s system controls, notifications and apps look. Liquid Glass is the subtle design style that gives your controls and menus that semi-transparent, moving background. Now, you can customise how it looks by using sliders to adjust things like the opacity, tint and motion.
Parents have more control
Parents now have more peace of mind with their kids’ phone use. When you create a child account, the system sets up protections that means they will only see things that are age appropriate. Parental controls give you more power to monitor what your kids can see, who they can talk to, and when they can use their phone.
Hear what you need from the Home app
Apple Intelligence can now help with those hundreds of notifications you get from your HomeKit Secure Video cameras. When anything happens around the house, you’ll now get one notification. And you won’t need to watch the footage to know what’s going on. Video descriptions are generated to summarise the footage, and anything you need to see is stored at the top of the search page.
AirPods are getting a boost
Custom EQ lets you customise how your music sounds in your AirPods. The update includes a simple three-band equaliser, so you can adjust the lows, mids and highs for your preferred sound. Then you can save your custom settings across your Apple devices.
FAQs
When can I use the new Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence features are rolling out in stages. You can try them now through the iOS 27 developer beta, with a public beta expected in July 2026 and a full release likely around September 2026.
What phones will be able to use the new Apple Intelligence?
iOS 27 runs on iPhone 11 and newer, but Apple Intelligence (including Siri AI) is limited to newer models – generally iPhone 15 Pro and later, with the best features on the latest Pro devices.
When does Siri AI come out?
Siri AI is coming later this year with iOS 27. It’s available to test now in developer beta (via waitlist), with a wider release expected in September 2026.
How do I use Siri AI?
You can use Siri AI much like today’s Siri. Say “Hey Siri,” press the side button, or open the new Siri app. From there, you can chat naturally, ask follow-up questions, and even get help based on what’s on your screen.
Can I use Siri AI on my MacBook?
Yes – Siri AI is built into macOS and works right from Spotlight, so you can type or ask questions and get AI-powered help across your files and apps.
How can I join the developer beta for iOS 27?
Sign in with your Apple ID as a developer, then go to Settings → General → Software Update → Beta Updates and select the iOS 27 developer beta. It’s free to join, but will be early stages, so bear that in mind.
