Apple confirmed iOS 27 at WWDC 2026 on June 8, and the compatibility news is better than many people expected going in. Rather than dropping the iPhone 11 family as pre-show rumours suggested, Apple kept every iPhone that currently runs iOS 26 on the supported list — all the way back to the iPhone 11 and iPhone SE (2nd generation).
If you are wondering whether your iPhone will get iOS 27 this fall, this is the definitive compatibility guide. Below is the full supported list, every model that is being left behind, and practical advice on whether your device is worth updating.
The Quick Answer: Which iPhones Get iOS 27?
At the WWDC keynote, Apple stated that all iPhones running iOS 26 can upgrade to iOS 27. In practice, that means every iPhone from the iPhone 11 (2019) forward is supported. The cutoff is anything older than that — iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and the original iPhone SE are out.
This matches what we reported in our iOS 27 WWDC 2026 announcement breakdown, where Apple explicitly confirmed iPhone 11 and iPhone SE 2 support on stage — reversing earlier rumours that suggested those models would be dropped.
Full List: Every iPhone That Supports iOS 27
Here is every confirmed compatible iPhone model, grouped by generation:
iPhone 17 Series (2025)
- iPhone 17 Pro Max — full Apple Intelligence, all iOS 27 features
- iPhone 17 Pro — full Apple Intelligence, all iOS 27 features
- iPhone 17 Air — full Apple Intelligence support
- iPhone 17 — full Apple Intelligence support
- iPhone 17e — Apple Intelligence supported; best value upgrade path in 2026
iPhone 16 Series (2024)
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16e
iPhone 15 Series (2023)
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15
iPhone 14 Series (2022)
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14
iPhone 13 Series (2021)
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13
iPhone 12 Series (2020)
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12
iPhone 11 Series (2019) — Still Supported
- iPhone 11 Pro Max — Apple's oldest supported flagship; iOS 27 is its sixth major OS update
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 — the budget hero that refuses to die; gets the optimised CPU scheduler boost Apple highlighted at WWDC
iPhone SE Models
- iPhone SE (3rd generation, 2022) — supported
- iPhone SE (2nd generation, 2020) — supported; Apple's oldest supported iPhone overall
Which iPhones Are Dropped by iOS 27?
Any iPhone that could not run iOS 26 is also ineligible for iOS 27. If you are on one of these models, iOS 26 is your final major update — you will still get security patches for a period, but no new features:
- iPhone XR (2018)
- iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max (2018)
- iPhone X (2017)
- iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus (2017)
- iPhone SE (1st generation, 2016)
If you are still on an iPhone XR or XS, Apple is effectively telling you it is time to upgrade. These phones are now two full iOS versions behind and will not receive iOS 27's performance improvements, Apple Intelligence upgrades, or the rebuilt Siri experience.
What iOS 27 Means for Older Supported iPhones
Being on the supported list does not mean every iPhone runs iOS 27 equally well. Apple was explicit at WWDC that older iPhones will feel more responsive on iOS 27 thanks to a new optimised CPU scheduler — a direct response to complaints that iOS 26 felt heavy on ageing hardware.
Confirmed performance improvements that benefit older supported models include:
- Apps launch up to 30% faster across all supported devices
- AirDrop transfers up to 80% faster
- Smoother unlocking and faster Lock Screen switching
- Improved scrolling in Control Center and the App Library
For iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 owners specifically, iOS 27 is the most meaningful update in two years. Apple is not just keeping these phones alive — it is actively optimising the OS to run better on them.
Apple Intelligence: Not Every Supported iPhone Gets Everything
All iPhones on the iOS 27 supported list can install the update, but Apple Intelligence features require an A17 Pro chip or newer — meaning iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and every iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 model. If you are on an iPhone 11 through iPhone 15 (non-Pro), you get the full iOS 27 experience minus on-device AI features like the rebuilt Siri, Writing Tools AI, and Apple Intelligence-powered search.
That distinction matters when deciding whether to upgrade. An iPhone 14 on iOS 27 will feel faster and get all the UI improvements, Liquid Glass slider, Health updates, and Mail rebuild — but it will not run Apple Intelligence locally.
Should You Upgrade Your iPhone for iOS 27?
Here is a practical guide based on which iPhone you currently own:
- iPhone 17 or iPhone 16: Install iOS 27 on day one. These are the target devices and will run everything flawlessly.
- iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max: Install iOS 27. You get full Apple Intelligence and excellent performance headroom.
- iPhone 14 or iPhone 15 (standard): Safe to update. You miss Apple Intelligence but gain all performance and UI improvements.
- iPhone 12 or iPhone 13: Worth updating for the speed gains, but consider upgrading hardware in 2026–2027 if Apple Intelligence matters to you.
- iPhone 11 or iPhone SE 2: Update for security and the CPU scheduler boost, but plan a hardware upgrade soon — these are at the end of their useful life regardless of iOS support.
- iPhone XR, XS, or older: iOS 27 is not available. Time to buy a new iPhone — the iPhone 17e at $599 is the most affordable entry point with Apple Intelligence.
When Can You Install iOS 27?
- Developer Beta: Available now (June 2026) for Apple Developer Program members
- Public Beta: Expected July 2026
- Final Release: September 2026, alongside the iPhone 18 lineup
All supported iPhone models listed above will receive the final iOS 27 release on the same day — Apple does not stagger major iOS releases by device generation.
How to Check If Your iPhone Supports iOS 27
Not sure which iPhone you have? Go to Settings → General → About and look at the model name. Then cross-reference against the supported list above. When iOS 27 releases, you will also see it appear under Settings → General → Software Update automatically if your device is compatible.
If no update appears and your iPhone is on the dropped list, that is expected — Apple will not offer iOS 27 to incompatible hardware.
Bottom Line
iOS 27 supports 22 iPhone models spanning from the 2020 iPhone SE 2 through the 2025 iPhone 17 Pro Max. The iPhone 11 surviving another year is the headline surprise — and the optimised CPU scheduler means it might actually run better than it does on iOS 26. If you are on anything older than iPhone 11, however, this is the year to finally upgrade.
For the complete iOS 27 feature breakdown — Liquid Glass slider, rebuilt Siri, AirPods Custom EQ, beta install guide, and more — read our full WWDC coverage: iOS 27 Announced at WWDC 2026: Every New Feature.
