iOS 27.2 release date: Siri AI languages, what's new

iOS 27.2 is almost here. Apple released the iOS 27.2 release candidate to developers on Monday, October 19, which is normally the last test build before an update goes out to everyone. If testers do not find a serious bug, the build they installed this week is the one your iPhone will get.

The headline change is Siri AI in five more languages. There are also profiles in the Apple TV app, Dual Capture for Group FaceTime calls, a new black-and-white Apple Music look and the return of Suggestions in Messages. One big feature is missing: the redesigned Health app Apple tested in earlier betas. Here is when to expect the update, what it brings and which iPhones get it.

When is iOS 27.2 coming out?

Apple has not announced a date. But when it launched Siri AI on September 14, Apple said support for French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish was coming in October, and those languages ship in iOS 27.2. That leaves little room: the update has to arrive within the next 11 days to keep that promise.

MacRumors says the public release could come next week, and Macworld expects it on October 26 or 27. So the week of October 26 is the most likely window, but treat that as an informed estimate rather than an Apple date. If Apple finds a problem, it can release a second release candidate first.

Why 27.2 and not 27.1? Apple skipped straight from iOS 27 to the iOS 27.2 betas. MacRumors and Macworld report that iOS 27.1 is the version that ships on the iPhone Duo, Apple's first foldable iPhone, which reaches buyers on October 23. Everyone else moves from iOS 27.0.1 to 27.2.

Siri AI in French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish

Siri AI, the rebuilt Siri Apple launched with iOS 27, has only worked in English so far. Apple's own support page still lists English as the only available language today. iOS 27.2 adds French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish, with the same features: back-and-forth conversation, answers based on your messages, emails and photos, questions about what is on your screen, and actions inside apps.

To use it, Apple says your iPhone's language and Siri's language both need to be set to the same supported language, and your Apple Account needs to be in an eligible region. Siri AI also needs an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence. Apple lists the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 models or later.

There are two big limits. Siri AI is still not available on iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch in the European Union, so French, Spanish and Portuguese support will not reach iPhones in France, Spain or Portugal with this update. Apple says Mac and Vision Pro users in the EU can use it. Siri AI is also not available if your Apple Account region is mainland China.

Everything else new in iOS 27.2

Apple has not published the final release notes yet, so this list comes from four betas and the release candidate, as reported by MacRumors, 9to5Mac and Macworld.

Apple TV app profiles: the Apple TV app on iPhone and iPad now supports profiles, so people sharing one Apple Account can keep their own Up Next lists and recommendations. A profile needs a name, a content rating and whether it is for a child. Child profiles are limited to PG-rated content by default, which you can adjust. Macworld reports that Multiview, which shows several sports streams at once, also comes to the app on iPhone.

Group FaceTime Dual Capture: iOS 27 let you share your front and rear cameras at the same time in one-on-one FaceTime calls. iOS 27.2 brings that to group calls. According to 9to5Mac, Dual Capture needs an iPhone 17 or later, and the other people on the call need iOS 27, iPadOS 27 or macOS 27 to see both views.

Messages Suggestions: the one-tap buttons that appear under a message, such as adding something to Reminders, Notes or your calendar, are back. Apple tested them in the summer iOS 27 beta, then delayed them before launch. 9to5Mac found code for per-app controls to turn suggestion types off, but that setting is not switched on yet and may not ship.

Apple Music's new look: the red and pink icon is replaced by a white icon with a black Apple Music logo, which flips to black in Dark Mode. Inside the app, blue replaces red for the selected tab, and Music widgets use a black background.

Call Context anniversaries: when you call someone whose anniversary is saved in Contacts, the Phone app now shows a reminder. Apple Podcasts renames Up Next to New Episodes and adds a separate Continue Playing row for episodes you have started.

Smaller changes: Siri's App Access setting becomes Excluded Apps, and you can now exclude several apps at once from Siri, Search and suggestions. CarPlay Ultra gets themes with wallpaper, gauge style and color options in supported cars. Apple Books gets a redesigned menu button and reading progress bar, and the a.m. and p.m. labels on alarms are smaller.

For EU users, Apple's release notes describe an alternative, expanded App Tracking Transparency prompt, the pop-up where apps ask permission to track you, with apps asking again once a year. MacRumors reports it is required for users in France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Romania.

Why the new Health app is not in iOS 27.2

The early iOS 27.2 betas included the redesigned Health app Apple showed at its September iPhone event. It had three tabs called Insights, Longevity and Browse, plus a Health Age score worked out from things like activity, VO2 max and sleep. The redesign was only available in U.S. English.

In beta 4, Apple put the old Health app back, and it stays that way in the release candidate. MacRumors says the features will arrive in a later update, and 9to5Mac reports the redesign is still planned for later this year. Apple has not said which update will carry it. If you are on an older beta and want to keep the new Health app, you would have to stay on that beta and skip the final iOS 27.2.

Release candidates for iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and more

Apple released matching release candidates across its platforms on October 19, according to its developer releases page: iOS 27.2 and iPadOS 27.2 (build 24B115), macOS 27.2 (26B118), watchOS 27.2 (24S116), tvOS 27.2 (24K120), visionOS 27.2 (24N118) and Xcode 27.2 (27B48). iClarified reports Apple also seeded iOS 26.7.2 and iPadOS 26.7.2 release candidates (23H127) for devices still on iOS 26.

The Mac update is worth watching for another reason. 9to5Mac reported that macOS 27.2 beta 3 added more touch-friendly code, including a long-press animation for Dock icons, ahead of the touchscreen MacBook Pro Apple is widely expected to show at its October 28 event.

Which iPhones get iOS 27.2?

iOS 27.2 is an update to iOS 27, so it goes to every iPhone that runs iOS 27. Apple's list covers the iPhone 11 series and later, including the iPhone 16e, iPhone 17e and iPhone Air, plus the iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation).

Not every feature reaches every phone. Siri AI needs an iPhone 15 Pro or newer Apple Intelligence model, and Group FaceTime Dual Capture needs an iPhone 17 or later. Older supported iPhones still get Apple TV profiles, the Podcasts and Music changes, and the usual bug and security fixes.

How to get iOS 27.2, and should you install the RC?

When Apple releases the update, go to Settings, then General, then Software Update. Back up your iPhone first. It can take a little while for the update to show up for everyone.

Registered developers can install the release candidate now by choosing the iOS 27 developer beta under Beta Updates in the same menu. For most people it is not worth it with the final version likely only days away. If you rely on your iPhone for work, wait for the public release.

Top photo: Siri AI on iPhone, from Apple's iOS 27 press images. (Image: Apple)