How to Update to iOS 27 on Your iPhone (and Fix Update Problems)

To update to iOS 27, back up your iPhone, plug it in, connect to Wi-Fi, then go to Settings, General, Software Update and tap Update Now. Apple released iOS 27 on September 14, 2026, and it is free for the iPhone 11 and later and the iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later.

The whole update usually takes 20 to 45 minutes. Below are the steps, plus fixes if the update is stuck or will not install.

Can your iPhone get iOS 27?

Some Apple Intelligence and new Siri features need an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, even though older supported iPhones can install iOS 27.

To find your model, go to Settings, then General, then About, and look at Model Name.

Before you update

1. Back up your iPhone. Go to Settings, tap your name, then iCloud, then iCloud Backup, and tap Back Up Now. You can also back up to a computer.
2. Charge it. Keep it plugged in, or make sure the battery is above 50 percent.
3. Connect to Wi-Fi. A strong connection is faster and more reliable.
4. Free up space. The update needs several GB of free storage. Check in Settings, then General, then iPhone Storage.

How to update to iOS 27

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General, then Software Update.
3. If you see iOS 26 updates first, look for an option to Upgrade to iOS 27 at the bottom.
4. Tap Update Now or Download and Install.
5. Enter your passcode and agree to the terms.
6. Wait for the download, then tap Install Now.

Your iPhone will restart and show the Apple logo with a progress bar. Do not unplug it or force it off during this time.

Update overnight

After the download, you can tap Install Tonight. Plug your iPhone in before bed, and it will install while you sleep.

Turn on automatic updates

Go to Settings, General, Software Update, then Automatic Updates, and turn on Download and Install for iOS updates.

Fixes for common iOS 27 update problems

iOS 27 is not showing up

• Make sure your iPhone is supported (iPhone 11 or newer, or SE 2nd generation or newer).
• Restart your iPhone and check again.
• Make sure you are on Wi-Fi, not a VPN.
• Remove any beta profile in Settings, General, VPN & Device Management if you used beta software before.

Not enough storage

• Delete apps you do not use, or turn on Offload Unused Apps.
• Move photos and videos to iCloud or a computer.
• Clear large message attachments.

Our guide on clearing space when phone storage is full has more tips.

Update is stuck on "Preparing" or "Verifying"

• Wait at least 30 minutes. Release day can be slow.
• Make sure Wi-Fi is working.
• If it is still stuck, restart the iPhone and try again.

Update failed or "Unable to Install Update"

1. Go to Settings, General, iPhone Storage, find the iOS 27 update, and tap Delete Update.
2. Restart the iPhone.
3. Download the update again.

iPhone is stuck on the Apple logo

• Wait, since some installs take longer.
• If it has not moved for more than an hour, force restart: press and release Volume Up, press and release Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
• If it still will not start, use a Mac or PC to update or restore it, or contact Apple Support.

After the update

• Battery may drain faster for a day or two while the iPhone re-indexes photos and data. This usually settles down.
• Your phone may feel warm for a short time for the same reason. If it stays hot, see what to do when an iPhone overheats.
• Update your apps in the App Store so they work well with iOS 27.
• Restart once if anything feels slow.

If the phone will not charge properly after updating, our guide on an iPhone that won't charge can help. If it restarts on its own, see fixes for an iPhone that restarts by itself.

How much storage does iOS 27 need?

The exact size depends on your model and current version, but big iOS updates need at least 5 to 6 GB of free space to download and install. For a big yearly update like iOS 27, having 10 to 15 GB free is safer. If you are low on space, your iPhone may offer to remove some apps for a while and put them back after the update.

Update with a computer instead

If the update keeps failing over Wi-Fi, you can use a computer.

On a Mac:

1. Connect your iPhone with a cable.
2. Open Finder and click your iPhone in the sidebar.
3. Click Check for Update, then Download and Update.

On a Windows PC:

1. Install the Apple Devices app (or iTunes on older Windows versions).
2. Connect your iPhone with a cable.
3. Select your iPhone, then click Check for Update.

Keep the cable connected until the update finishes.

Should you update right away?

Most people should update within a week or two. Updates bring new features and important security fixes. But there are a few reasons to wait a few days:

• You rely on a special app for work that may not support iOS 27 yet.
• You do not have time to deal with a possible problem this week.
• You want to wait for the first bug-fix update, like iOS 27.0.1.

If you wait, still install security updates when Apple offers them.

Before and after checklist

Before:

• Back up to iCloud or a computer
• Know your Apple Account password
• Know your iPhone passcode
• Charge above 50 percent
• Connect to Wi-Fi
• Free up space

After:

• Update your apps
• Check that photos, messages, and contacts look normal
• Review new privacy and notification settings
• Restart once if anything feels slow

Battery tips after updating

For the first day or two, your iPhone does a lot of background work, like sorting photos and rebuilding search. To help the battery:

• Keep it plugged in overnight after updating.
• Turn on Low Power Mode if you need to save battery.
• Check Settings, then Battery, to see which apps use the most power.
• Give it 2 to 3 days before deciding the battery is worse.

If the drain lasts longer than a week, see our full guide to fixing iPhone battery drain after iOS 27.

Security note

Only download iOS updates from Settings on your iPhone or through Apple's Finder and Apple Devices apps. Websites or messages that offer "iOS 27 downloads" or "early access" are often scams.

What is new in iOS 27?

iOS 27 is more about speed and smarter features than big design changes. Some of the main updates include:

• A rebuilt Siri that can handle more natural requests. The most advanced Siri and Apple Intelligence features need an iPhone 15 Pro or newer.
• New parental controls for families.
• A smarter Safari and upgraded photo editing tools.
• Camera app changes that let you customize more controls.

Features can vary by country and language, so some may not show up on your iPhone right away.

When will the first bug-fix update come out?

Apple usually releases a .1 update, like iOS 27.1, about four to six weeks after a big release. These updates often fix bugs and battery problems people notice in the first weeks. If you are waiting to update, iOS 27.1 is a good time to make the jump.

The bottom line

To update to iOS 27, back up your iPhone, plug it in, connect to Wi-Fi, and go to Settings, General, Software Update. iOS 27 is free for the iPhone 11 and later and the iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later. If the update does not show up, fails, or gets stuck, restart the phone, free up storage, and delete and re-download the update.