Apple released iOS 27.1 on Thursday, but most iPhone owners won’t be able to install it. The update is specifically for the foldable iPhone Duo, which went on sale on Friday.
But don’t feel frustrated: iOS 27.2 is expected as early as Monday.
iOS 27.1 is purely for the iPhone Duo
Apple released iOS 27 in September and shortly thereafter began beta testing iOS 27.2. That, of course, raised questions about what happened to iOS 27.1.
The word quietly coming from Cupertino was that version was reserved for the upcoming iPhone Duo. We now have confirmation of that.
With iOS 27.1 now out, it is definitely not a conventional update for everyone. Instead, the update focuses on fixes for the software powering the new foldable’s unique features.
Just so there’s no confusion, the device comes with a version of iOS 27.1 already installed. The update is a newer version, even though the name didn’t change.
iOS 27.2 is mere days away
As such a minor tweak, it seems appropriate that iOS 27.1 will have one of the shortest lifespans of any Apple OS — iOS 27.2 is expected as early as Monday.
- See also: Here’s when Apple will launch iOS 27.2
That version includes broader changes, such as expanded language support for Siri AI and improved FaceTime calling.
iOS 27.2 will be for all recent Apple handsets, including the iPhone Duo. So the update that launched Thursday will be supplanted after less than a week.
How iPhone Duo users can install iOS 27.1
iOS 27.1 is ready to be installed on any iPhone Duo by opening the Settings app and going to General > Software Update. Alternatively, you can update your new foldable by connecting it to a Mac (or to a PC running iTunes).
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 26 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh SE/30 (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer.
That’s because he’s a “tablet first” type of guy. Rather than use a Macbook, he connects a keyboard case to the iPad. And instead of a desktop Mac, he connects his tablet to a 27-inch display and full-size keyboard. (So don’t try to tell him that everyone has to use a Mac to be productive.)
Before coming to Cult of Mac, Ed wrote for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
