Apple has released the fifth public beta of iPadOS 27 for testers, giving users another preview of the software before its wider release expected in September. The latest update carries build number 24A5424a, matching iPadOS 27 developer beta 7, and mainly focuses on bug fixes, performance improvements, and stability as Apple moves closer to the final version.
Apple has not introduced any major new features with public beta 5. Most of the larger iPadOS 27 changes arrived earlier in the beta cycle, including Siri AI, expanded Apple Intelligence features, visual refinements, and improvements across several built-in apps.
If your iPad is already enrolled in the Apple Beta Software Program, follow these steps:
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- Open the Settings app on your iPad.
- Tap General.
- Select Software Update.
- Tap Beta Updates.
- Make sure iPadOS 27 Public Beta is selected.
- Return to the Software Update page.
- Tap Update Now when iPadOS 27 public beta 5 appears.
Users joining the public beta for the first time need to enroll their Apple Account in the Apple Beta Software Program before the iPadOS 27 Public Beta option appears under Beta Updates.
It is also worth backing up your iPad before installing beta software, especially if you use the device for important work or personal files.
All the changes in iPadOS 27 so far
Public beta 5 mainly refines the existing iPadOS 27 experience, while earlier beta releases introduced and adjusted several larger changes.
- Siri AI: iPadOS 27 introduces Apple’s new Siri AI experience with more natural conversations, broader knowledge, personal context, onscreen awareness, and the ability to perform actions across apps. Apple also added a dedicated Siri app.
- Siri with handwritten notes: Siri can work with typed and handwritten content in Notes, including finding information, organizing notes, creating summaries, and helping turn handwritten material into structured content.
- Visual Intelligence: Compatible iPads can use Visual Intelligence to select an area of the screen, including part of an image or PDF, and ask Siri AI questions about what appears there.
- Apple Intelligence improvements: Photos gains stronger Clean Up tools along with options for extending and reframing images, while Apple Intelligence also expands into Safari, Passwords, Shortcuts, Messages, and other apps.
- Smarter Shortcuts: The new Describe a Shortcut feature lets users explain the automation they want, after which Apple Intelligence can assemble the required actions and make changes based on additional instructions.
- Refined Liquid Glass design: Apple adjusted transparency, contrast, refraction, toolbars, sidebars, window shapes, and menu bar icons, while adding a slider that lets users change the appearance from clearer to more tinted.
- Faster system performance: Apple has worked on faster app launches, quicker AirDrop transfers, improved external drive transfers, more responsive typing, and smoother switching between network connections.
- TV app automatic downloads: An Automatic Downloads option can download the next two episodes of shows in Continue Watching and remove them after they are watched.
- Photos display option: Apple added a Zoom Photos to Fill setting that slightly enlarges photos that closely match the display aspect ratio.
- AirPods controls: Earlier betas added easier access to supported Adaptive Audio controls through Control Center.
- Siri interface refinements: Apple adjusted the gesture area used to open Siri so users are less likely to trigger it accidentally while trying to access Notification Center or Control Center. Earlier betas also added more Siri voice and expressivity options on supported iPads.
- Search and indexing improvements: iPadOS 27 provides clearer information while the system optimizes Spotlight and Siri search after an update, while Apple has also worked on more relevant search results across apps such as Mail.
With the fifth public beta now available and no major new features appearing in this build, Apple appears to be concentrating on polishing iPadOS 27 ahead of its expected September release. If you’ve already installed the update, let us know your experience in the comments.
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