iOS 27 Beta 2: 12 New Features Apple Just Added to Your iPhone

Apple has released iOS 27 beta 2 for developers, bringing the first major follow-up update after iOS 27 was introduced at WWDC. The new beta focuses on Siri AI, Apple Intelligence, Wallet changes, RCS improvements, Home app updates, and several smaller fixes before the public beta arrives in July.

The iOS 27 beta 2 build number is 24A5370h, and registered developers can install it from the Settings app by going to General, then Software Update, and selecting iOS 27 Developer Beta under Beta Updates. Since this is still an early beta, users should avoid installing it on their main iPhone because bugs, battery drain, app issues, and performance problems can still appear.

1. Write with Siri is easier to access

iOS 27 beta 2 adds a new Write with Siri button above the keyboard in apps like Notes, Mail, Messages, and more. In the first beta, users had to select text before using this feature, but Apple now makes it easier to find during normal typing.

2. Siri Voice Customization gets new labels

Siri Voice Customization now shows Pace and Expressivity as “Coming Soon” on supported models like iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air. These options did not work in the first beta, so Apple has now made their current status clearer.

3. Wallet app adds Insights

The Wallet app now includes a new Insights feature under the three-dot menu. Apple says users will be able to connect accounts, check spending insights, view recurring transactions, see balances, and get updated account information.

4. Home app can update Apple TV remotely

The Home app can now install Apple TV updates remotely, similar to how users can update a HomePod. Apple TV now appears in the Updates section inside the Home app settings, so users do not need to turn on the Apple TV manually.

5. RCS gets inline replies

Messages now supports inline replies in RCS chats with Android users. Users can long press a message and reply to it directly, just like they can in iMessage conversations.

6. RCS reactions now work better

iOS 27 beta 2 also improves how tapbacks and reaction emoji appear on images and videos in RCS chats. Instead of showing a text description, Messages now places the emoji reaction directly on the media.

7. iCloud Backup alerts are coming

Code in iOS 27 beta 2 suggests Apple will show notifications when iCloud Backup fails because of a server issue. This should help users understand why their device cannot back up or restore at a specific time.

8. Visual Intelligence adds a new setting

The Siri section in Settings now includes a Visual Intelligence option called Highlight to Image Search. Apple says this feature sends images to third parties when users highlight subjects to find similar images, and the setting stays off by default.

9. Camera app highlights active hidden tools

The Camera app now shows yellow highlights around the tools button when a hidden feature, such as exposure adjustment, is active. This makes it easier to know when a manual camera setting is still enabled.

10. HomeKit notifications get more useful

Users can now long press HomeKit Secure Video camera notifications to watch the motion alert video and turn on nearby lights. Apple has also fixed an issue that made some HomeKit accessories, including Philips Hue lights, unresponsive after installing earlier beta software.

11. Photos AI tools now support RAW images

The AI tools inside the Photos app now work with RAW images in iOS 27 beta 2. This gives photographers more flexibility when editing high-quality images on iPhone.

12. Smaller app updates arrive across iOS

Apple has also made smaller changes across the system, including brighter text in the Weather app, texture options in Wallet’s Create a Pass feature, multi-select delete support in the Siri app, and improved iPhone Mirroring reliability with macOS 27 Golden Gate.

iOS 27 Beta 2 Release Date

Apple is currently offering iOS 27 beta 2 to registered developers, while the public beta is expected to arrive in July. The final iOS 27 update should launch in September alongside Apple’s next iPhone lineup.

Not every iOS 27 feature will work on every iPhone. The update supports iPhone 11 and later, along with iPhone SE 2 and newer, while Siri AI and other Apple Intelligence features require newer hardware.