iOS 27 Beta 5 is out: What’s New?

Earlier today, Apple finally rolled out the fifth beta of iOS 27 with the build number 24A5408d, three weeks after the release of the fourth beta. While iOS 27 includes major new features such as a new Siri AI, new Screen Time options, improvements to Liquid Glass, improvements to performance, and more, Apple keeps adding minor new features and changes within each beta release, and beta 5 is no different. Here’s what’s new in iOS 27 Beta 5:

New App Icons:

The first change one will notice after installing the update is the new app icons for Safari, Siri, Settings, TV Remote, and Preview.

Updates to WiFi and Cellular:

iOS 27 beta 5 includes a slight change to the Control Center icons for WiFi and Cellular. The network bars are slightly taller, while the WiFi symbol is slightly wider. Another change introduced in the previous beta has been reverted, as the Control Center will no longer show 5G/4G next when you’re connected to WiFi. Beta 5 also comes with a modem update, so we can expect an overall improvement in stability as well.

Siri:

Apple has added multiple new voice options for Siri under Expressive Voices Preview on the iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air, including voices in British English.

Spotlight Search:

Going into Settings>Search, you’ll see a new section called ‘Before Searching’ which will allow users to customize how many apps are suggested (4 apps, 8 apps, or none), along with toggles to enable or disable ‘Suggest App Shortcuts’ and ‘Show Recent Searches’.

Software Update:

Going into Settings>General>Software Update>More Details will now show when the update was installed.

Clock App:

The clock app now features a bolder font under Alarms and Timers.

New Splash Screens:

Apple has added new Splash Screens upon opening these apps for the first time after the update

• App Store
• Calendar
• Photos
• Music
• Voice Memos
• Apple TV
• Shortcuts

The update seems to be smoother, and Liquid Glass is now also slightly clearer in some parts of the OS when compared to beta 4. It seems that Apple has removed this effect from the latest beta. We can expect the next betas for version 27.0 to be rolled out after one week, and Public Beta 3 soon. Users who are registered as a developer on www.developer.apple.com can opt in to receive beta updates by going into Settings>General>Software Update>Beta Updates and selecting Developer Beta.

Do note that these versions are not stable and are meant for testing purposes. They are not recommended to be downloaded on a primary device due to the nature of beta software.

Did you find anything else on the new beta? Let us know in the comments or write to us on @appleosophy! Be sure to download the Appleosophy App from the App Store or visit our website to stay updated with the latest Apple news!