iOS 27: The Features You Need to Know About
Apple's latest WWDC announcements may have focused on Siri AI and Apple Intelligence, but the tech giant also packed iOS 27 with a range of upgrades across its everyday apps and services.
New Features in iOS 27
- Improved Bill Splitting in Apple Wallet: Apple introduced a significant boost to Apple Wallet, allowing users to scan receipts using their iPhone camera and automatically split bills with friends using Apple Cash. The feature is powered by Apple Intelligence, which can identify individual items on a receipt, calculate each person's share of taxes and tips, and facilitate repayment directly through Messages or Wallet.
- Enhanced Location-Sharing Controls in Find My: Find My is becoming more flexible with new location-sharing controls. Users will be able to share their location for a custom amount of time, whether that's a few minutes, several hours, multiple days, or until a specific date and time. Additionally, users will be able to temporarily pause location sharing with individual contacts until the end of the day.
- Refined Apple Maps Features: Apple introduced an improvement to "Flyover," the feature that provides immersive 3D views of cities and landmarks. The feature has been refreshed with more detailed visuals and smoother navigation. Apple also launched "Local Lists," a new way for users to discover and save recommendations for restaurants, attractions, and other spots within Maps by seeing what's trending.
- Redesigned Apple Pay Checkout Experience: Apple Pay is receiving a redesigned checkout experience online and in apps. Users will be able to swipe between payment cards more easily while viewing information such as rewards balances, debit account balances, and available pay-later options. Later this year, Apple says users will also be able to add funds directly to eligible debit cards through Wallet or during Apple Pay checkout.
- Expanded "Tap to Pay" on iPhone: Apple is expanding "Tap to Pay" on iPhone with a new feature called "Tap to Share." Customers can connect directly with participating merchants using a simple tap to securely share information such as loyalty accounts, shipping addresses, and contact details.
- Enhanced Apple Music Features: Apple Music is expanding the "Lyrics Translation" feature to support seven additional language pairings, including English translations for songs in French, German, Italian, Korean, Spanish, and Japanese. "Lyrics Pronunciation" will now help users sing along to songs in languages they may not speak by displaying phonetically translated lyrics across five new language pairings.
- Improved Podcast Features: Podcast listeners are getting a few welcome upgrades. A new "search within show" feature allows users to search directly through episodes of a specific podcast across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Vision Pro, and the web. Apple is also bringing video podcasts to both Mac and Apple TV, reflecting the growing popularity of video-first podcasting.
- Enhanced Photos Features: Apple is introducing full-resolution photo sharing, support for additional file types, emoji reactions, improved activity feeds, and the ability to view activity on a per-album basis. Plus, new temporary albums are designed for short-term projects and events, allowing groups to collaborate without permanently taking up iCloud storage. Notably, people without Apple devices will also be able to contribute photos through the web.
- New Fitness+ Programs: Fitness+ is launching "Strong Through Menopause," a three-week program featuring guided Yoga and Strength workouts designed to help people navigating perimenopause and menopause build strength, improve mobility and balance, and manage stress. Apple is also adding a new "Time to Walk" episode featuring actor Busy Philipps, who shares personal stories about her experiences with perimenopause.