Apple has released the first public betas of iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, opening the door for regular users to test the software ahead of its expected fall launch. Until now, only registered developers paying for an Apple Developer account could get early access. Public betas change that, letting anyone with a compatible iPhone or iPad take the new software for a spin.
This is a big moment in Apple’s annual release cycle. The company typically seeds developer betas in June at WWDC, then follows up with public betas weeks later once the software is stable enough for a wider audience. That’s exactly what’s happening here, and it means iOS 27 is on track for a September release alongside new iPhone hardware.
Getting started is straightforward. Head to Apple’s beta website, sign in with your Apple ID, and enroll your device. After that, go to Settings, then General, then Software Update, and select the iOS 27 or iPadOS 27 Public Beta option. The update will appear just like any regular software download.
That said, public betas are still pre-release software. Bugs are expected, and some apps may not work properly. It’s worth keeping a backup of your device before installing, and most people should probably avoid putting a beta on their primary phone if they rely on it for work.
Apple releases public betas partly to catch issues that slip through internal testing. With millions of device configurations and app combinations out in the wild, crowdsourced bug reports help the company ship a cleaner final product. Users who find problems can submit feedback directly through the Feedback Assistant app built into the beta software.
iOS 27 is shaping up to be one of Apple’s bigger software updates in recent years, with reported changes to the home screen, the Phone app, and deeper Apple Intelligence integration across the system. Getting hands-on time with it now gives users a clear picture of what to expect when the final version ships this fall.