Apple has released iOS 27 Developer Beta 2 (build 24A5370h) to registered developers. This is the first major update since iOS 27 launched at WWDC 2026 two weeks ago. The update focuses on two main features: the new Write with Siri assistant, which fully replaces the old Writing Tools, and inline replies for RCS chats with Android users. There are also additions like a hidden Wallet Insights section, RAW photo editing in Apple Intelligence, and improvements to Home, Camera, and other system features. Developers can get it now, with a public beta coming in July and a stable release expected in September with the iPhone 18 series.
The focus of iOS 27 Developer Beta 2 is on refining existing features rather than adding a lot of new ones. The main updates, Write with Siri and RCS inline replies, are helpful but mostly bring iOS up to speed with features Android users already have. Some features like Wallet Insights and the new Siri voice options are included but not yet working, and the RCS reply feature is still buggy in this version.
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Below is a breakdown of every change in iOS 27 Developer Beta 2, including what Write with Siri replaces, what RCS inline replies improve, which features are still unfinished, and how this update stacks up against iOS 26 and Android.
iOS 27 Developer Beta 2: Build 24A5370h | Released June 22, 2026 | Developers now, public beta July, stable September | Free with developer account | Write with Siri (replaces Writing Tools) | RCS inline replies and proper reactions | Wallet Insights (coming) | RAW photo editing | Apple TV remote update | HomeKit video previews | Camera, Siri and Weather tweaks | iPhone 11 and later, SE 2 and later | ~5.23GB
iOS 27 Developer Beta 2 Update: Availability and Release Timeline
The iOS 27 Developer Beta 2 update is available now to registered developers, and a free developer account is enough to install it. To get it, developers go to Settings, then General, then Software Update, and select iOS 27 Developer Beta under Beta Updates. The public beta for non-developers is expected in July via beta.apple.com, and the stable iOS 27 release is scheduled for September alongside Apple's next iPhone lineup. Apple advises against installing beta software on a primary device, since bugs, battery drain and app compatibility issues are expected at this stage.
Testers say iOS 27 Developer Beta 2 feels more stable than most second betas, and reports suggest the main features are set for the September launch. Still, this is developer software. Some features, like Wallet Insights and Siri voice customization, are visible but not working yet, and the new RCS inline reply is still buggy. Think of this as a preview, not a final release.
Write with Siri: The Headline Change
The main new feature in iOS 27 Developer Beta 2 is Write with Siri, an on-device AI writing assistant. It shows up as a button above the keyboard in apps like Notes, Mail, and Messages. You can tell Siri what you want in plain language, and it will generate, proofread, or rewrite text right away. Unlike the first beta, where you had to select text first, the new button is always visible, making it easier to use. Since it works with Siri, it can use information from your messages, emails, and documents, which the old tool could not do.
The important detail is that Write with Siri completely replaces Writing Tools, the floating panel Apple introduced with iOS 18.1 that offered preset tones such as Friendly and Professional. That older interface is gone entirely in this build.
Replacing Writing Tools is more than just adding a new feature. Writing Tools used to be a separate menu with fixed options. Now, Write with Siri does the same job inside Siri, lets you use natural language, and can use context from your messages and emails. This means most people will have fewer steps and more flexibility, since you can describe what you want instead of picking from a short list. However, those who liked the simple presets will need to get used to giving more open-ended instructions. Also, the results now depend on how much context Siri can access and how well its on-device model works.
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RCS Messaging Gets Inline Replies
The iOS 27 Developer Beta 2 update improves Rich Communication Services (RCS) in Messages. Now, you can long-press a message in an RCS chat with an Android user and reply directly, similar to threaded replies in iMessage. The update also fixes how reactions show up: in iOS 26, emoji reactions on images or videos in RCS chats appeared as plain text, but in iOS 27, the emoji now appears right on the media and is visible to the Android user as well.
Inline replies make group chats between iPhone and Android users clearer. Without them, replies to older messages just appear at the bottom, which can be confusing. Now, each reply is linked to the original message, and emoji reactions show up properly instead of as text like "loved an image." It's important to note that Apple is catching up here, since Android users have had these features for a while. Both phones and their carriers need to support RCS, and the inline reply feature is still buggy in this beta.
Wallet App Gains a Hidden Insights Section
The iOS 27 Developer Beta 2 update adds a new Insights option under the Wallet app's menu, though it is not yet functional. A splash screen explains that users will eventually be able to connect their financial accounts to Wallet to view spending insights, recurring transactions, account balances, and more. Apple emphasizes that the feature does not store user information and that account data is fetched, categorized, and standardized by an Apple wholly owned subsidiary that connects to the user's financial institution. The feature is expected to become active in a future beta and is reportedly expanding to more regions.
Apple Intelligence: RAW Photo Editing
The Apple Intelligence editing tools in the Photos app now work with RAW image formats, where previously they did not. This extends AI-powered enhancements and editing workflows to the higher-quality, more flexible files that photographers and content creators shoot, and it is one of the more substantive additions in this build for serious camera users. Reports also point to expanded visual search behavior, including the ability to highlight an image and search for visually similar content, though the exact rollout of that setting may vary by build.
Home and HomeKit Improvements
The iOS 27 Developer Beta 2 update makes smart home management easier. The Home app can now update a connected Apple TV remotely: the Apple TV appears in the Updates section of the Home app settings, and tapping update installs the latest software without needing to power the Apple TV on first, the same way HomePod updates already work. HomeKit Secure Video also gains more useful notifications, letting users long-press an incoming camera alert to watch the motion footage and switch on lights near the camera directly from the notification. Beta 2 additionally fixes an issue from the first beta that left some HomeKit accessories, including Philips Hue lights, unresponsive after updating.
Camera, Siri and Weather Refinements
Several smaller quality-of-life changes round out the iOS 27 Developer Beta 2 update. In the Camera app, the advanced settings menu is now highlighted whenever an option inside it is toggled, making hidden controls easier to track. The Siri app adds multi-select so users can delete several conversations at once. The Weather app makes some light blue text brighter, specifically for precipitation, condition descriptions and wind readings, improving readability at a glance. Other minor touches include persistent Lock Screen media controls that reappear during playback, texture options in Wallet's Create a Pass feature, and improved iPhone Mirroring reliability with macOS 27. Notably, the Siri voice customization options Pace and Expressivity, intended for iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air, are now labeled "Coming Soon" rather than "Active."
iPhone 11 and later, iPhone SE (2nd Gen) and later
Same
Varies by brand and model
How to read this comparison: The iOS 27 Developer Beta 2 update is a mix of catch-up and consolidation. The RCS additions, inline replies and proper on image reactions bring iPhone messaging closer to what Android's Google Messages has offered for some time, so on those rows iOS is matching rather than leading, and the iOS feature is still buggy in this build. Write with Siri is a genuine rethink rather than a brand-new capability, folding the existing Writing Tools into Siri with natural-language prompts and broader context. The clearest forward steps over iOS 26 are RAW photo editing, the remote Apple TV update and the upcoming Wallet Insights, the last of which is not yet active. In short, this update narrows the gap with Android on messaging while tidying up Apple's own AI and system tools, rather than introducing headline features no rival has.
Supported iPhone Models
iOS 27 Developer Beta 2 works on the same devices as iOS 26: iPhone 11 series and newer, plus iPhone SE (2nd generation) and up. However, not all features are available on every model. Advanced Apple Intelligence and Siri AI features, like the full version of Write with Siri and the new Siri voice customization, need newer hardware. Older iPhones will get the update but won't have all the AI features.
Update Size
For reference, iOS 27 Developer Beta 2 is about 5.23GB on an iPhone 15 Pro updating from the first developer beta. The actual download size may be different depending on your device and current software version.
iOS 27 Developer Beta 2 Update: Key Details
Specification
iOS 27 Developer Beta 2
Update Name
iOS 27 Developer Beta 2
Build Number
24A5370h
Release Date
June 22, 2026 (Developers)
Public Beta
Expected July 2026
Stable Release
Expected September 2026 (with iPhone 18 series)
Cost
Free
Main Feature
Write with Siri (replaces Writing Tools)
Messages Upgrade
RCS inline replies and image reactions
Photos
Apple Intelligence editing supports RAW files
Home App
Remote Apple TV software updates
HomeKit
Video previews and light controls from notifications
Siri Pace and Expressivity voice options (iPhone 17 Pro & iPhone Air)
Supported Devices
iPhone 11 and newer, iPhone SE (2nd Gen) and newer
Update Size
Approx. 5.23GB (iPhone 15 Pro from Beta 1)
Final Verdict
iOS 27 Developer Beta 2 is a safe update, more about polishing features than adding new ones. The headline new features, Write with Siri and RCS inline replies, are actually useful in day-to-day use. RAW photo editing is a big advantage for camera fans, and the Home app and HomeKit updates bring practical improvements . Most of the features will likely arrive in September so this build is a good preview of what the final iOS 27 will offer.
There are some clear drawbacks. Wallet Insights and the new Siri voice options are included but not working yet, and the RCS inline reply feature is still buggy. Many of the messaging improvements are just Apple catching up to what Android already offers. As with any developer beta, you can expect bugs, battery drain, and app issues, so it's best to try this on a secondary device. For most people, it's smarter to wait for the public beta in July or the stable release in September.
Bottom line: iOS 27 Developer Beta 2 (build 24A5370h) released to developers June 22, 2026. We will have a public beta in July and a stable release in September, timed to the iPhone 18. Write with Siri replaces the old Writing Tools, and now RCS chats with Android have inline replies and improved image reactions. Other updates include Wallet Insights (coming soon), RAW photo editing, remote Apple TV updates, HomeKit video previews, and tweaks to Camera, Siri, and Weather. It is functional on iPhone 11 and later, and SE 2 and later, but full AI features require newer hardware. The update is around 5.23GB. In short, this is a refinement and catch-up release, with some features not quite finished and buggy. Not for your main device.
FAQs
1. What is the iOS 27 Developer Beta 2 update?
It is the second developer beta of iOS 27 (build 24A5370h), released on June 22, 2026, refining the features shown at WWDC 2026. It adds Write with Siri, RCS inline replies, a hidden Wallet Insights section, RAW photo editing and several system tweaks.
2. When will iOS 27 be released to everyone?
A public beta is expected in July 2026, and the stable iOS 27 release is expected in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 series.
3. What is Write with Siri?
A new on-device AI writing assistant that appears as a button above the keyboard in apps like Notes, Mail, and Messages. It can generate, proofread and rewrite text from natural language instructions, and it fully replaces the older Writing Tools feature.
4. What RCS features does the iOS 27 Developer Beta 2 update add?
You can now long-press a message in an RCS chat with an Android user to reply to it directly, similar to iMessage, and emoji reactions now appear correctly on images and videos instead of as text descriptions. The inline reply is reported to be buggy in this beta.
5. What is Wallet Insights?
A new section in the Wallet app that will let users connect their financial accounts to view spending insights, recurring transactions, and balances. It is present in this build but not yet functional, and Apple says account data is handled by an Apple-owned subsidiary rather than stored by Apple.
6, Does the iOS 27 Developer Beta 2 update improve the Photos app?
Yes. Apple Intelligence editing tools now support RAW image formats, benefiting photographers and creators who shoot in RAW.
7. Which iPhones support iOS 27?
The same devices as iOS 26, namely iPhone 11 series and later plus iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later. The more advanced Apple Intelligence and Siri AI features require newer hardware.
8. How big is the iOS 27 Developer Beta 2 update?
Approximately 5.23GB on an iPhone 15 Pro updating from the first developer beta, though the size varies by device and current software version.
9. Should I install the iOS 27 Developer Beta 2 update on my main iPhone?
Nope. Apple recommends that you do not install beta software on your main device, as you should expect bugs, battery depletion and app incompatibilities. It’s safer to wait for the July public beta or September release.
10. Is the iOS 27 Developer Beta 2 update a major update?
Not really. It is more of a refinement and catch-up release, consolidating Apple's AI writing tools, bringing RCS messaging closer to what Android already offers, and adding conveniences like remote Apple TV updates, with some features still incomplete.
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