WWDC26: Apple unveils next generation of Apple Intelligence, Siri AI, powerful parental controls, and an expansive set of software improvements
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At WWDC26,
“Apple products are an essential part of people’s lives, and this year we’re bringing powerful new capabilities to empower our users in even more ways,” said
Next Generation of
Leveraging a bold new architecture uniquely designed to protect users’ privacy, the next generation of
Siri AI is an entirely new version of Siri deeply integrated into iPhone®, iPad®, Mac®,
In addition to Siri AI, the next generation of
New Parental Controls and Significant Updates to Screen Time
Powerful and intuitive new features that are easy to use help parents manage what their kids can see, who they can talk to, and when they have access to apps. By setting up a Child Account, parents can immediately enable age-appropriate protections across the system, and with Setup Assistant, parents can choose exactly which apps to make available and stay in control of what gets added over time. With communication safety features, parents can require approval for each new contact their kids connect with and enable automatic interventions if explicit or violent content is being shared.
New tools aimed at building healthier screen time habits make it easy to set daily total time allowances across Entertainment, Games, and Social Media apps, with a daily time allowance recommendation based on guidance from leading clinical and child development experts that gives parents a helpful starting point. Schedules let parents manage which apps their children have access to at different points in the day, and Screen Time has been redesigned to be more intuitive for parents, offering an at-a-glance view of their kids’ average device usage and top apps.
To help parents stay informed and learn more,
More Responsive, Reliable, and Delightful Experiences Across Software Platforms
The 2027 releases make
Improvements across platforms push key system capabilities forward so everyday tasks feel faster, smoother, and more enjoyable. For example, iPhone and iPad apps launch up to 30 percent faster,1 photos load up to 70 percent faster after being taken,2 and AirDrop® transfers are up to 80 percent faster.3 During network transitions, moving between cellular and Wi-Fi networks is more seamless than ever, and browsing and transferring files between external drives and iPad is up to 5x faster — making it just as fast as Finder® on Mac.4 In Spotlight®, Photos, and Mail, the search experience has been rebuilt to make it more stable and efficient to help users find exactly what they are looking for. And in Mail, a completely new ranking system surfaces even more relevant results in Top Hits.
Refinements to the software design deliver an even more focused and approachable experience across apps and platforms. A new slider in Settings gives users the option to personalize Liquid Glass, adjusting it anywhere from ultra-clear to fully tinted to match their preference, and app icons have been updated to be sharper and more defined. On Mac, updates reincorporate cornerstones of the macOS design that users have always loved, including a more uniform toolbar across the top of apps, edge-to-edge sidebars, colored sidebar icons, and more.
Additional features coming this fall:
- iCloud Shared Albums introduce cross-platform photo sharing with full-resolution support.
- The Health app brings support for perimenopause and menopause in Cycle Tracking, including notifications about cycle deviations inclusive of perimenopause.5
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On
Apple Watch, a new dynamic app grid features the icons for five Siri-suggested apps, users can open a widget in the Smart Stack with a new tap gesture, and a new Find My® app consolidates Find Devices, Find Items, and Find People. -
AirPods users can now enjoy custom EQ to further personalize how their AirPods sound. And with expanded
Apple GymKit™ functionality, users with AirPods Pro® 3 can sync their heart rate data through iPhone while enjoying incredible audio quality. -
Apple Vision Pro users can now turn panoramas into spatial scenes and use them as personal Environments, and connecting to Wi-Fi is up to 3x faster. -
Apple Maps brings an enhanced Flyover® experience, which combines aerial imagery with AI, allowing users to enjoy even more detailed visuals.
Availability
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The new features are available for testing starting today through the
Apple Developer Program at developer.apple.com, and a public beta will be available through theApple Beta Software Program next month at beta.apple.com. New software features will be available as a free software update this fall. For more information, visit apple.com/ios, apple.com/ipados, apple.com/macos, apple.com/watchos, apple.com/tvos, and apple.com/visionos. -
Users who enable
Apple Intelligence on supported products set to a supported language will have access this fall with iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27. -
Apple Intelligence is available with support for these languages: English, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Vietnamese, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Japanese, and Korean. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. For feature and language availability and system requirements, see apple.com/apple-intelligence. -
Apple Intelligence and Siri AI in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27 are available on iPhone 16 models or later, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPad mini® (A17 Pro), iPad models with M1 or later, Mac with M1 or later,Apple Vision Pro,Apple Watch Series 10 or later,Apple Watch Ultra® 2 or later, andApple Watch SE® 3 when paired with anApple Intelligence-enabled iPhone nearby. -
Some
Apple Intelligence features, including image generation, have daily usage limits because they rely on powerful server models. Increased access is available with most iCloud+® subscription plans, which also includeApple Intelligence support for compatible Home cameras. - New Siri AI features are available for developer testing starting today across iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, and visionOS 27. Siri AI will be available for developer testing in a future watchOS 27 beta.
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Siri AI will be available as a beta later this year for users with a supported device set to English, and
Apple will quickly expand support for more languages. -
Mac,
Apple Watch, andApple Vision Pro users in the EU will be able to access Siri AI when set to a supported language. Siri AI will not be available initially in the EU in iOS and iPadOS. -
Siri AI and the other new
Apple Intelligence features will not be available inChina whileApple works through regulatory requirements. - Features are subject to change. Some features may not be available in all languages or regions, and availability may vary due to local laws and regulations. For more information about availability, visit apple.com.
Footnotes
1. Testing conducted by
2. Testing conducted by
3. Testing conducted by
4. Testing conducted by
5. The Cycle Tracking app should not be used for birth control or to diagnose a health condition.
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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260608304595/en/
alexkirschner@apple.com
Tania Olkhovaya
tolkhovaya@apple.com
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