Apple Updates iOS 27 Beta 5 with New Icons and Features
Apple has released the fifth beta of iOS 27, bringing a wave of refinements as the operating system approaches its official September launch. This update focuses less on major new features and more on polish, the kind of small changes that add up before a public release.

App Icons Get a Visual Refresh

The latest beta introduces updated Liquid Glass icons across several core applications. Safari, Siri, Settings, Remote, App Store, and Preview all feature redesigned or more detailed visuals. These changes reflect Apple’s ongoing effort to refine the visual language of iOS 27, keeping the aesthetic consistent as launch approaches.

Siri Gets More Voice Customization

Voice customization options for Siri have expanded significantly in this beta. Users can now adjust Pace and Expressivity across all seven American and four British voices, directly on their device.

This runs entirely on-device, which means the feature is limited to newer hardware. Right now that means the iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air models only.

Smaller Changes Worth Knowing About

Beta 5 also brings a handful of smaller tweaks that quietly improve daily use:

  • Contacts now display associated company names directly in list and search results
  • Apple Wallet’s “Create a Pass” feature is now accessible outside the U.S.
  • Photos, Wallet, and Music apps include new splash screens detailing what changed in iOS 27
  • Search and Ask animations have been smoothed out for better transitions
  • A “Search the Web” option now appears at the bottom of search results
  • Users can customize how many app results appear in searches, or turn them off entirely
  • Control Center no longer shows cellular data when Wi-Fi is active
  • 5G+ cellular service is now available in Spain
  • Settings now displays the date of the last software update installation
  • The Clock app uses a thicker font for Alarms and Timers
  • The clearest Liquid Glass setting is now even more transparent
  • A new “Personalize Smart Replies” toggle is available in Mail settings, off by default
  • The Battery section will now alert users if a poor cellular connection is draining their battery

What This Means for September

With the official iOS 27 launch expected in September, this beta signals where Apple’s attention is right now: refinement, not reinvention. These updates address both how the software looks and how it actually functions day to day.

The goal is straightforward. Apple wants a stable, polished experience waiting for users on release day, building on the foundation laid by its generative AI era Siri and the other core changes introduced earlier in the iOS 27 cycle.

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