Updated July 21, 2026
Apple has released iOS 27 Beta 4 to developers, continuing the summer testing cycle for its next major iPhone software update.
The new beta focuses more on refining Siri AI, Photos, AirPods controls and everyday system behavior than introducing another wave of major features.
Quick Answer
iOS 27 Beta 4 was released on July 20, 2026, with version 24A5390f.
Visible changes include a new Siri AI opening screen, working pace and expressivity controls for two enhanced Siri voices, a Photos zoom setting, smarter Apple TV downloads and easier AirPods Adaptive Audio controls.
Apple has also fixed several developer and AirPlay issues, but known problems remain. Most users should wait for the next public beta or the final iOS 27 release rather than installing Beta 4 on a primary iPhone.
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iOS 27 Beta 4 Release Date and Current Status
Apple released the fourth iOS 27 developer beta on July 20, two weeks after Beta 3 arrived on July 6.
The official version is 24A5390f, replacing Beta 3 version 24A5380h. Apple released iPadOS 27 Beta 4 with the same version on the same day.
Beta 4 is currently a developer build. It should not be confused with iOS 26.6 RC, which was also released on July 20 but uses version 23G71.
| Release | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| iOS 27 Beta 3 | July 6, 2026 | Previous developer beta |
| iOS 27 Public Beta 1 | July 13, 2026 | Current public beta |
| iOS 27 Beta 4 | July 20, 2026 | Current developer beta |
What’s New in iOS 27 Beta 4?
Beta 4 is primarily a refinement update. It does not introduce another major redesign, but testers have found several visible changes across Siri, Photos, AirPods and Apple TV.
These changes were observed in the beta and should not be confused with Apple’s developer-focused release notes.
1. Siri AI Has a New Opening Screen
Invoking Siri from the Dynamic Island or by swiping down on the Home Screen now displays a new Siri AI introduction screen.
The change makes the transition into Apple’s conversational Siri experience clearer. It also helps separate the new Siri AI interface from the smaller command-based Siri experience available on older devices.
Apple’s new Siri experience is one of the biggest changes coming with iOS 27. Read our full guide to iOS 27 Siri AI features.
2. More Siri Voice Controls Now Work
Two enhanced Siri voices now support the Pace and Expressivity controls introduced in the previous beta.
Pace adjusts how quickly Siri speaks. Expressivity changes the amount of emotional variation in Siri’s voice.
Five legacy voices continue to show these controls as “coming soon,” so the feature is still not fully available across every Siri voice.
3. Photos Adds “Zoom Photos to Fill”
A new Zoom Photos to Fill option allows compatible images to fill more of the iPhone display when their aspect ratio is close to the screen’s shape.
This can reduce empty space around a photo, but it may also crop a small part of the image. Users who prefer to see the complete frame can leave the option disabled.
4. AirPods Adaptive Audio Is Easier to Adjust
Control Center now provides faster access to the new Adaptive Audio adjustment for compatible AirPods Pro models.
The current interface lets users move between lighter, default and stronger Adaptive Audio behavior without going as deeply into the AirPods settings page.
This is separate from the AirPods beta firmware itself. Compatible AirPods may need the latest beta firmware before every iOS 27 audio feature appears.
Some AirPods features also depend on the latest firmware updates. See our iOS 27 AirPods firmware guide for compatible models and installation steps.
5. Apple TV Adds Smarter Episode Downloads
The Apple TV app can now automatically download upcoming episodes as a user progresses through a season.
Watched episodes can also be removed automatically, reducing the amount of storage used by downloaded video.
This is a smaller change, but it can be useful during travel or in areas where a stable internet connection is not always available.
6. The Beta 3 Depth Effect Problem Is Fixed
Beta 4 corrects the unintended depth-effect behavior introduced in Beta 3.
This was a beta-specific visual issue rather than a new iOS 27 feature, so users should not expect it to return as an official customization option.
What Apple Officially Fixed
Apple’s iOS and iPadOS 27 Beta 4 release notes focus mainly on developer APIs, app behavior and resolved technical problems.
One practical fix addresses AirPlay connections to Home Theater systems. AirPlay could previously fail when a PIN or password was required.
Apple also lists fixes involving SwiftData background operations and several SwiftUI behaviors that could affect apps built with the iOS 27 SDK.
These changes may improve app reliability over time, but they should not be presented as new consumer features.
iOS 27 Beta 4 Known Issues
Apple’s release notes are cumulative. This means a problem listed in the Beta 4 notes may have existed in an earlier beta rather than being newly introduced by Beta 4.
Current documented issues include:
- Writing Tools: The interface may become unresponsive after interacting with the Plus button. Apple’s workaround is to force quit Messages.
- Critical Alerts: Critical Alerts may be enabled automatically for apps that request notification permission. Users can review this under Settings > Notifications.
- Weather Highlights: Weather Highlights is currently limited to US English.
- Developer app behavior: Some apps built with the new SDK may experience layout, status bar or interface-orientation problems.
Apple does not promise a specific battery-life improvement in the Beta 4 release notes. Battery drain, heat or smoother performance reported by individual testers may vary by device and should not be treated as universal results.
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Should You Install iOS 27 Beta 4?
Most users should not install iOS 27 Beta 4 on their primary iPhone.
The update may feel smoother than earlier developer betas, but it can still cause battery drain, app crashes, banking-app problems, CarPlay instability, Bluetooth issues or unexpected restarts.
Beta 4 is most appropriate for developers, content creators testing iOS changes and experienced users with a secondary iPhone.
Before installing, create an encrypted computer backup made while the iPhone is still running stable iOS. A backup created after upgrading to iOS 27 may not restore to an older version.
Is iOS 27 Beta 4 the Same as Public Beta 2?
Not yet.
As of July 21, iOS 27 Beta 4 is available through the developer beta channel. Apple has not announced a release date for iOS 27 Public Beta 2.
Apple may use the same underlying version for a future public beta, but that should not be treated as confirmed until the public beta appears in Software Update.
Users already enrolled in the public beta program should wait for Apple to release the next public build rather than switching beta channels only to receive the update earlier.
Which iPhones Support iOS 27 Beta 4?
iOS 27 Beta 4 supports the same iPhone models as the full iOS 27 release. Apple’s compatibility list starts with the iPhone 11 series and includes the second-generation iPhone SE and newer models.
However, iOS 27 compatibility does not mean every feature is available on every iPhone. Advanced Apple Intelligence and Siri AI features require newer hardware, including supported chips and sufficient memory. Availability can also vary by language, region and Apple’s gradual rollout schedule.
iOS 27 Beta 4 FAQ
Is iOS 27 Beta 4 available now?
Yes. Apple released iOS 27 Beta 4 to developers on July 20, 2026.
What is new in iOS 27 Beta 4?
The main visible changes include a new Siri AI opening screen, working pace and expressivity settings for two enhanced Siri voices, a Photos zoom option, easier AirPods Adaptive Audio controls and smarter Apple TV episode downloads.
Does iOS 27 Beta 4 improve battery life?
Apple has not announced a specific battery-life fix for Beta 4. Battery performance may vary by iPhone model, battery health, indexing activity and installed apps.
Is iOS 27 Beta 4 stable?
It may be more refined than the first three developer betas, but it remains unfinished software. It should not be treated as a stable public release.
When will iOS 27 Public Beta 2 be released?
Apple has not confirmed a date. Public beta builds often follow developer betas after additional testing, but the timing can change if Apple discovers a serious problem.
When will the final version of iOS 27 be released?
Apple says iOS 27 will be released in fall 2026. A September release is expected, but Apple has not announced the exact day.
Bottom Line
iOS 27 Beta 4 is a refinement-focused update rather than a major feature release.
The most noticeable changes affect Siri AI, Photos, AirPods and Apple TV, while Apple’s official release notes concentrate on developer fixes and unresolved technical problems.
Developers and experienced testers can use Beta 4 to check app compatibility and recent changes. Most iPhone owners should remain on stable iOS or wait for a later public beta.
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