iOS 27 system requirements: will Apple’s new software run on your existing iPhone? You Should Know
Apple revealed its next major smartphone software update back in June and it’s now available for download on your iPhone – just go to Settings > Software Update. Called iOS 27, it will work best with the latest iPhones, and it’ll come pre-installed on the new 2026 iPhones, the iPhone Duo, the iPhone 18 Pro Max and the iPhone 18 Pro.
But this isn’t just software for new devices – a whole bunch of older iPhones will also get the free software update, stretching back around five years.
As of last year, Apple’s software versions are now named after the year ahead – so iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27 and so on.
The Stuff essential guide to Apple’s latest software updates
- Check device compatibility: iOS 27 | iPadOS 27 | macOS 27
- Back up your Apple devices: iPhone and iPad | Mac
- Master new features: Apple Intelligence | Liquid Glass | Photos | Screen Time | + 12 of the best iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27 tips you might have missed
Can my iPhone get iOS 27?
iOS 27 actually runs on the same iPhones as iOS 26. While last year’s update ditched support for the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max – all from 2018 – this year’s update does no such thing for 2019/2020 iPhones.
It’s unusual for an update to not drop any devices but it probably shows that there aren’t a lot of new features that will tax even ageing iPhone devices – even, to some extent, Siri AI.
The earliest iPhones on the compatibility list are the iPhone SE (2nd gen) and iPhone 11 series from 2019/2020.
Here’s a full list of the devices compatible with iOS 27:
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
- iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone Air
- iPhone 17
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11
- iPhone SE (2020, 2nd generation)
- New 2026 iPhone releases – iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone 18 Pro
It’s also worth noting that not all of these iPhones will get access to Apple Intelligence and Siri AI – for that you will need an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max or any newer model; so any iPhone 16 variant.
