How to install the public betas of iOS 27, macOS 27, iPadOS 27, and more

Apple recently launched a number of public betas for the next major software development for iOS, macOS, watchOS, and iPadOS, and you can try it now.

As expected, after several weeks of developer beta access, Apple released the public beta of iOS 27, along with corresponding updates for Apple Watches, iPads, and Mac computers. While the full, official release of these updates is expected in September, public beta access means that anyone with an Apple account and a compatible device can download the update and try it out early.

So, starting today, you can go ahead and install:

• iOS 27

• macOS 27 Golden Gate

• iPadOS 27

• watchOS 27

• tvOS 27

• VisionOS 27

Here’s how to do just that.

How to install Apple’s public betas

Thanks to Apple’s integrated product ecosystem, you can follow the same steps to install all beta operating system updates on any device. In other words, with the exception of your Apple Watch (which I’ll talk about in a second), the process is generally the same for all devices.

First, you’ll need to sign up for a beta account using your Apple ID on the Apple beta website. This is completely free and carries no risk of your own, so feel free to go to town with it. Make sure your account is verified for beta access and register any devices you want to test.

Second, make sure you create a backup of the device. This may be useful if something goes wrong with the beta and you want to go back to a previous version of the software.

With a beta account created and a backup in hand, here are the final steps:

With the public betas of iOS, macOS, watchOS, and iPadOS 27 out, you it should see them in the Beta updates section of the software updates menu.

Request access to Siri AI and join the waiting list

There’s one big catch here, though: If you want to try out the new Siri AI, you’ll have to request access to this beta as well. In addition, you will need an iPhone 15 Pro phone or newer (or iPhone Air). Even the basic iPhone 15 won’t cut it. Mac devices need an M3 chip or newer, and iPads need an M1 chip or newer to use Siri Ai.

To request access to the Siri AI beta, follow these steps:

• Update your device to iOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, visionOS 27, etc.

• Open the Settings app

• Go to Apple Intelligence & Siri

• Select Try the new Siri and join the waiting list

How to install watchOS 27

As for watchOS 27, the process is the same, but you cannot do it on the Apple Watch device.

Follow these steps to set up and install watch OS 27 on your Apple smartwatch:

• Install the public beta of iOS 27 on an iPhone paired with your Apple Watch

• On the iPhone, go to the View app

• Tap My Watch, then General, then Software Update, then Beta updates, just like you did with iPhone

• Make sure your Apple Watch is at least 50 percent charged and keep your iPhone nearby during the installation process

As always, be very careful when downloading beta software. It should be fine, but unexpected things can happen with unfinished software.