Apple is preparing iOS 27, the next version of its mobile operating system expected to arrive in 2026, with new artificial intelligence features, system performance improvements, and support for the company’s first foldable iPhone. Among the developments surrounding the update is the possibility that Apple’s Messages app could serve as a platform for conversational AI.
When Apple first introduced Apple Intelligence, the company took a negative stance toward building a chatbot-style Siri. That position has changed as development continues on the next generation of Apple’s AI systems. Apple is now expected to introduce a dedicated Siri chatbot application powered by the next generation of Apple Foundation Models. The chatbot version of Siri is intended to compete with conversational AI tools from Claude, OpenAI, and Gemini.
Several Siri features originally planned for iOS 26.4 have faced delays and could appear in iOS 27 instead. Apple also finalized an agreement with Google to integrate Gemini models into Apple Foundation Models to power new Siri and Apple Intelligence capabilities. These improvements include the ability for Siri to remember past conversations and proactive features that could suggest actions such as leaving home earlier to avoid traffic before an airport pickup listed on a user’s Apple Calendar.
Beyond a standalone Siri chatbot, Apple already operates a platform that could host conversational AI: the Messages app. The default messaging app is used daily for communication, which creates a familiar environment for conversational interactions.
Instead of requiring users to open a separate application, AI conversations could appear directly within Messages. Siri or other AI assistants could operate through message threads inside the app. Conversation history could be organized through separate threads dedicated to AI interactions or through an option that separates conversations by AI service.
The messaging interface could also host third-party AI assistants. Apple currently distributes many AI applications through the App Store, though those apps control their own user interfaces and experiences. Integrating AI tools directly into Messages would place the interaction layer within Apple’s messaging platform.
Existing services demonstrate that AI conversations inside Messages can operate in practice. One example is Poke, which runs inside iMessage through infrastructure built on Mac mini servers.
Apple also operates Business Chat, a system that enables customers to contact company support lines through the Messages app. Many users encounter the feature when contacting businesses for assistance through Apple’s messaging platform. Business Chat uses automated conversations, though the system is considered difficult for developers to implement due to limited developer-friendly tools.
If iOS 27 introduces a new API designed for conversational AI services, developers could create AI assistants that operate directly inside Messages. In this setup, a developer running a Remote Control Claude Code session could manage the process through a conversation in Messages instead of opening the Claude app. A financial management application with an AI chatbot could send spending updates through iMessage without requiring users to launch the app.
Standalone AI apps would continue to exist because developers may want to maintain direct control over their applications. Messaging-based interactions would focus on tasks where quick conversational access is useful.
Messages also connects across Apple’s ecosystem. Conversations synchronize across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch through iCloud. AI assistants integrated into Messages would appear across those devices without requiring additional downloads.
Apple already receives revenue from third-party AI applications distributed through the App Store. In 2025 the company generated nearly $900 million in revenue from AI app subscription fees. ChatGPT accounted for three-quarters of that total through Apple’s standard 30 percent commission on App Store subscriptions.
Monthly revenue from AI apps on Apple’s platform reached $101 million in August 2025. The figures demonstrate demand for conversational AI tools among iPhone users.
iOS 27 also includes additional AI developments. Apple is working on an AI-powered web search system internally referred to as the World Knowledge Answers platform. The system is designed to compete with AI search services such as Perplexity.
A redesigned Siri interface is also under development. Apple has tested a visual assistant with what the company describes as a “visual personality to make it feel lifelike.” Early designs resemble an animated version of the Finder logo or Memoji-style characters. The interface has been described as “vaguely reminiscent of Clippy.”
Performance improvements are another focus of the operating system. Engineers are reviewing Apple’s operating systems to remove outdated code and resolve bugs while improving performance and overall quality. The development effort has been compared to a Snow Leopard-style update focused on speed and efficiency.
The update follows several large software releases in recent years. Apple introduced Apple Intelligence with iOS 18 and later released the Liquid Glass interface redesign in iOS 26.
In addition to AI changes, iOS 27 prepares the operating system for Apple’s first foldable iPhone scheduled to launch in September 2026. The device is expected to feature a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch outer display.
When unfolded, the device will present an iPad-sized screen running a version of iOS optimized for larger displays. When closed, the phone will function like a standard iPhone using the regular version of iOS.
The foldable device will introduce multitasking capabilities on iPhone by supporting two apps side-by-side for the first time on the platform. Apple is developing new layouts for its own applications to adapt to the larger display, and third-party developers will be able to adopt those layouts.
Other features discovered in early builds of Apple’s software include a new pairing system for AirPods and “improved collections” within the Photos app, though additional details have not been disclosed.
Apple is also preparing a redesigned Calendar app scheduled to launch across its platforms. The redesign was originally planned earlier but has been delayed and is now expected to appear in iOS 27 and macOS 27.
Changes to the Liquid Glass interface are also under consideration. Apple has explored adding a slider that would let users finely control the level of the glass effect in the interface. Development on the feature began during the iOS 26 cycle but encountered engineering challenges.
Apple is expected to announce iOS 27 during the Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2026. WWDC traditionally takes place during the first or second week of June. The event has been held on June 7–11 in 2021, June 6–10 in 2022, June 5–9 in 2023, June 10–14 in 2024, and June 9–13 in 2025.
After the announcement, Apple typically releases a developer beta of the new operating system. A public beta is expected in July 2026, allowing iPhone users to test features and provide feedback.
If Apple follows its established release schedule, iOS 27 will launch to the public in September 2026 alongside new iPhone models. Previous release dates include iOS 26 on Monday, September 15, 2025, iOS 18 on Monday, September 16, 2024, iOS 17 on Monday, September 18, 2023, and iOS 16 on Monday, September 12, 2022.
