Apple has released the fifth developer beta of iOS 27, identified by build number 24A5408d.
This release comes three weeks after the launch of iOS 27 beta 4 and includes improvements to performance and battery life compared to the previous version.
Siri AI and Voice Customization
The update expands voice customization for Siri AI, which was first introduced in iOS 27 beta 1. While previous beta versions provided pace and expressivity sliders for American English voices, beta 5 extends these options to British English voices.
Siri's setup screen replaced the 'Voice Responses' option with a new 'Preferred Response Type' setting.
Visual Redesigns and User Interface
A redesign of several application icons is included in this beta. The icons for Preview, Remote, Safari, Settings, and Siri have been updated, with the Siri icon featuring a more prominent 'Liquid Glass' look. Additionally, the Orders icon in the Apple Wallet app has been redesigned.
The Safari app icon now features a dot in the center. In the Control Center, cellular network types such as '5G' or 'LTE' are no longer displayed when connected to Wi-Fi, though new cellular icon bars have been introduced in both the Control Center and the Status bar.
The Liquid Glass slider option has also been made clearer in this version. Other interface adjustments include a thicker font for Alarms and Timers in the Clock app and a larger battery percentage display during charging.
Search and Settings Updates
A new 'Before Searching' option has been added to the Settings app, allowing users to control how many app suggestions appear during searches. Users can choose to show four or eight suggestions, or turn the feature off entirely.
Additionally, a new setting allows users to enable or disable automatic visual search.
Connectivity and App Features
The Apple Wallet 'Create a Pass' feature is now available outside the United States. New splash screens have also been added to the Apple Wallet, Apple Music, and Apple Photos apps to explain new features.
In the Mail app, a toggle has been added for the 'Personalize Smart Replies' feature, which is set to 'off' by default. The Settings app now also includes a warning if a poor cellular connection is causing excessive battery drain.
Regarding connectivity, iOS 27 beta 5 has enabled 5G+ support for users in Spain and updated the modem software to version 2.10.01.
Bug Fixes and Improvements
The update addresses several previous issues, including fixing problems with dictation, Siri voice functionality, and an issue where album covers in the Music app moved unintentionally. It also restores functionality to certain features in the 'Bul' (Find) app that were broken in earlier betas.
The update also reduces excessive battery drain caused by background processes that were present in iOS 27 beta 4.
Apple plans to release a Release Candidate (RC) version of iOS 27 following the beta phase, with the final version expected in early September 2026.
