If you’re curious about testing out MacOS 27 Golden Gate beta but you aren’t ready for the full commitment of installing it as your primary operating system, the simplest and safest way to run MacOS 27 Golden Gate beta is within a virtual machine. While one of our authors dove right into MacOS 27 Golden ... Read More
I know it’s only in beta, and probably halfway through the beta cycle at that, but I’m going all in on MacOS 27 Golden Gate. Why, you might ask? Because, for me, the MacOS 27 beta is better than MacOS 26 Tahoe is, in some pretty critical ways. And to be clear, I do not ... Read More
Apple Notes in iOS 27 receives a focused collection of upgrades designed to make long documents easier to navigate and information simpler to move between apps.
Section links allow users to jump directly to headings inside a note. Divider lines create clearer visual boundaries, while expanded Markdown support improves workflows involving websites, writing tools and plain-text editors.
Siri AI introduces the most ambitious addition by creating notes, adding information to existing documents and transferring answers from a Siri conversation without requiring manual copying.
Image Playground also becomes more capable inside Notes, gaining additional visual styles and photorealistic image generation through Apple’s new cloud-based model.
Not every feature requires Apple Intelligence. Divider lines, section links, Markdown tools and the updated interface work on every iPhone compatible with iOS 27. Siri AI and advanced Image Playground capabilities need newer hardware and may have additional language or regional restrictions.
Image Credit: Apple Inc.
Apple Notes iOS 27 Adds Section Links
Section links solve one of the largest problems affecting long notes: reaching information located several screens below the beginning.
A user can now select text, choose Add Link and connect it to any heading or subheading inside the current note. Tapping that linked text immediately moves the reader to the selected section.
The feature can turn the opening of a document into a manual table of contents. A project note might contain links to its schedule, budget, participants, research and outstanding tasks without requiring separate documents.
To create a section link:
Select text > Add Link > Link to Section > Choose a heading
Notes displays the headings and subheadings already present in the document. Regular body paragraphs do not appear as destinations, so the note must use Apple’s title or heading formats before links can be created.
To format a destination:
Select the section title > Formatting > Heading or Subheading
The visible link text does not need to match the destination heading. A phrase such as “View the current budget” can link to a section titled “Financial Information.”
Section links differ from the existing ability to connect separate notes. Apple Notes already allows users to create internal links leading from one document to another. The new control moves within the same document instead.
That distinction is useful for meeting records, research files, travel plans and study material that become too long for ordinary scrolling but do not need to be divided into several notes.
Links should continue working when the document is shared through iCloud because they point to structural elements inside the note rather than fixed screen positions.
Renaming or deleting a destination heading may affect its link. Users maintaining complex documents should test their navigation after reorganizing major sections.
Divider Lines Improve Visual Structure
Apple Notes in iOS 27 adds horizontal divider lines as a native formatting element.
The line creates a visible separation across the document without requiring users to type repeated hyphens, underscores or other characters.
To add one:
Place the cursor > Open the edit menu > Insert Divider Line
The divider is inserted at the cursor position and moves with the surrounding content as the note changes.
A horizontal line can separate meeting notes by date, distinguish reference material from personal comments or divide a recipe into ingredients, preparation and serving information.
It also provides structure without making every section a heading. Headings define the hierarchy used by section links, while dividers create a visual break that does not become another navigation destination.
Typing a row of hyphens previously produced an inconsistent substitute. The characters could wrap on a narrow screen, change length after editing or become difficult to select. The native element maintains its appearance as the document moves among iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Divider lines should be used selectively. Adding one between every short paragraph can make the note look more fragmented rather than organized.
The strongest layout combines headings for major subjects, subheadings for smaller divisions and divider lines where one type of content clearly ends before another begins.
Markdown Moves More Easily Into Apple Notes
Apple Notes gained the ability to import and export Markdown files with iOS 26. The iOS 27 upgrade removes additional steps from copying content between Notes and Markdown-based tools.
Markdown uses plain-text characters to represent formatting. A hash symbol can identify a heading, pairs of asterisks can create bold text and square brackets can define a link.
The format is widely used by writers, developers, documentation systems and publishing platforms because it remains readable without requiring a proprietary editor.
When Markdown-formatted text is pasted into Apple Notes in iOS 27, the app automatically converts the syntax into rich text. Headings become formatted headings, links become clickable and emphasis appears as bold or italic text.
A pasted line such as Project Schedule appears as a formatted heading rather than displaying the two hash symbols.
Moving content in the opposite direction is also easier. Apple has added a Copy as Markdown command that converts selected rich text into Markdown syntax before placing it on the clipboard.
To use it:
Select the text > Open the edit menu > Copy as Markdown
The result can be pasted into a content-management system, code editor, Markdown document or another writing application while preserving supported formatting.
Copy as Markdown does not transform Apple Notes into a complete Markdown editor. Users continue writing through the familiar rich-text interface rather than viewing raw syntax throughout the document.
Complex attachments may not translate perfectly. Scanned documents, drawings, audio recordings, embedded files and some tables do not have universal Markdown equivalents.
Basic elements such as headings, links, emphasis and lists provide the most dependable transfer. Users preparing an important publication should review the pasted result before assuming every element survived the conversion.
Image Credit: AppleMagazine
Siri AI Can Create and Update Notes
Siri AI gives Apple Notes in iOS 27 a more direct connection with information generated or located through the assistant.
A user can ask Siri a question, refine the answer through conversation and save the result into a new note. The transfer happens without selecting the response, copying it and leaving Siri to open Notes manually.
A request could take the following form:
“Create a note called Kyoto Trip and add this itinerary.”
Siri can also target an existing document when the user identifies it clearly:
“Add these restaurant suggestions to my Kyoto Trip note.”
The integration extends beyond saving complete answers. Siri AI can reorganize poorly formatted information, convert text into a clearer structure and place the revised version inside Notes.
Someone collecting an unorganized group of tasks could ask Siri to separate them by priority before saving the result. A block of research could be converted into headings and shorter paragraphs.
Siri’s personal-context capabilities can help locate an existing note when the precise title is forgotten. The assistant is designed to search information across apps and understand requests using details connected to the user.
These actions remain subject to permissions. Siri should not silently place information into a document without recognizing the requested destination and action.
Users should review AI-generated material before treating it as authoritative. Reformatting supplied text carries less factual risk than asking Siri to generate research, dates, quotations or instructions from general knowledge.
Siri AI Requires Newer iPhone Hardware
The main Apple Notes iOS 27 update runs on iPhone 11 and later, as well as the second-generation iPhone SE and newer models.
Siri AI has a narrower hardware requirement. Apple lists iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and every iPhone 16 or later model as compatible with the new Apple Intelligence architecture.
An iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 14 or iPhone 11 can receive section links, dividers, Markdown support and the redesigned Notes interface. Those devices cannot use the Siri AI note-writing actions.
This separation means two iPhones running the same operating system can display different Notes capabilities.
Siri AI is scheduled to reach users as a beta later in 2026, beginning in English. Apple plans to expand language availability, but individual capabilities may not arrive simultaneously in every supported language.
The assistant will not initially be available on iPhone or iPad in the European Union. Apple has also said its new Apple Intelligence features will remain unavailable in China while the company works through regulatory requirements.
Ordinary Siri controls may continue to perform basic actions on unsupported devices, such as creating a simple dictated note. They should not be confused with the new ability to hold a conversation, reorganize information and add the result to a chosen document.
Image Playground Expands Inside Notes
Image Playground remains integrated with Apple Notes in iOS 27 and receives a substantially more capable generation model.
The upgraded system can produce higher-quality images in a wider range of visual styles, including photorealistic results. Earlier Image Playground versions concentrated on illustration, animation and sketch-like appearances.
Users can describe an image and insert the generated result into the current note. A travel plan might receive a destination image, while a creative project could use generated concept art beside written ideas.
Photorealistic generation runs through Private Cloud Compute rather than entirely on the iPhone. Apple says requests processed through this architecture are not stored or made accessible to the company.
Generated images automatically include a hidden SynthID watermark identifying them as AI-created. The watermark does not appear as a visible label across the picture, but it provides a technical signal that compatible systems can detect.
Image generation may have daily usage limits because it depends on powerful server models. Apple says most iCloud+ plans will provide increased access, although the exact allowance can depend on the subscription and service conditions available at release.
The complete Image Playground experience may not appear in every early iOS 27 beta. Apple can activate or adjust cloud-dependent features separately while testing the operating system.
New Icons Clarify Shared Notes and Folders
Apple Notes adopts the wider iOS 27 design changes through refreshed buttons, menus and Liquid Glass interface elements.
The Notes app icon has been updated while preserving the familiar yellow-and-white paper design. The change keeps the app recognizable without leaving it visually disconnected from the new system icons.
Shared material receives clearer identification. The shared folder displayed near the top of the folder list now uses a blue icon, separating it more clearly from private iCloud and local folders.
Individual shared notes and folders also receive revised symbols. These indicators make it easier to understand whether another person can view or edit material before sensitive information is added.
The distinction matters because a collaborative note can look almost identical to a private document once it is open. A clearer icon in the list provides another warning before the user begins editing.
Liquid Glass changes the appearance of controls and menus but does not alter the underlying note format. Existing notes, scans, checklists, attachments and locked documents remain available after the update.
People using accessibility settings such as increased contrast, reduced transparency or reduced motion may see a modified version of the visual design.
Existing Notes Features Remain Available
The iOS 27 changes build on a much larger set of capabilities introduced during earlier releases.
Apple Notes can already scan documents, attach PDFs, record audio, generate transcripts, solve mathematical expressions, create checklists and collaborate through iCloud.
Users can link one note to another, place notes inside folders, apply tags and create Smart Folders that collect documents according to selected rules.
Locked notes can use a device passcode or separate password, while Face ID provides faster access on supported iPhones.
The app can also identify handwriting, search text inside scanned documents and recognize information contained in images.
None of those existing tools has been replaced by Siri AI or Markdown. The new version concentrates on moving through large notes and transferring information with less manual work.
Section links are particularly effective when combined with audio transcripts or lengthy scanned research. A user can create headings above important material and place navigation links at the beginning of the document.
Markdown support addresses another gap by making Notes more practical as the first stage of a publishing workflow rather than a closed destination for text.
Image Credit: Apple Inc.
What to Check Before Installing the iOS 27 Beta
Apple Notes in iOS 27 is available for testing through prerelease software, with the complete operating-system release scheduled for the fall.
Beta software can contain synchronization failures, interface problems and changes that Apple has not finished documenting. Notes is especially sensitive because its content may synchronize immediately across every device using the same Apple Account.
Before installing a beta on a primary iPhone, users should confirm that important notes have finished syncing and that another copy of critical information exists outside the beta device.
A Mac, iPad or iCloud.com can be used to verify whether recent documents have reached the server. Exporting especially important notes as PDFs or Markdown files provides an additional copy that does not depend on the Notes database.
Collaborative notes require more caution. People using older operating systems may not see every new formatting element exactly as intended, particularly while iOS 27 remains in testing.
The public release should resolve many compatibility issues, but Siri AI will follow its own beta schedule and regional limitations. Installing iOS 27 alone will not guarantee that every intelligent Notes action appears immediately.
Apple can still modify menu locations, visual elements and cloud-based features before the final version arrives. The safest time to reorganize a large Notes library around section links will be after every frequently used Apple device can install its corresponding fall update.
The iOS 27 beta has overall been a very positive experience for many beta testers, but if you have installed iOS 26 beta onto your iPhone or iPad and decided that it’s no longer for you, perhaps due to some incompatibility, critical bug, or other issue, then you can downgrade your iPhone from iOS 27 ... Read More
Apple has released the second public beta versions of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and MacOS 27 Golden Gate, to users who are eligible. If you’re interested in installing those betas on your device, you can read instructions for iPhone and iPad here, or for Mac here. MacOS 27, iOS 27, and iPadOS 27 have an ... Read More
With the launch of the MacOS 27 Golden Gate public beta program, now even more users can experience MacOS 27 as it’s actively being worked on by Apple. MacOS 27 Golden Gate has a heavy focus on performance improvements, but there’s also refinements other than the Liquid Glass interface look, improvements to Spotlight and Mail ... Read More
The Release Candidate builds of MacOS Tahoe 26.6, iOS 26.6, and iPadOS 26.6, are now available for those engaged in beta testing for current generation versions of Apple system software. There are also RC builds for MacOS Sequoia 15.7.8 and MacOS Sonoma 14.8.8, though it’s hard to imagine many people aside from some devs are ... Read More
I test a lot of apps, so I have strong opinions about TestFlight. However I usually keep those opinions to myself because despite the fact that it’s critical to my work, TestFlight wasn’t built for app reviewers. Most people haven’t accumulated hundreds of active and inactive betas in the app like I have, and for them, TestFlight is probably fine. However, for me, TestFlight is a constant sourceof frustration.
So, you can imagine my excitement when I read a post by Zac Hall at 9to5Mac that a search field had been added to TestFlight. “Finally,” I thought to myself. I stopped what I was doing and updated the app immediately. After all, search was my number one request for TestFlight back in 2024.
An apostrophe gets you the top spot in Apple’s new alphabetical TestFlight list.
That 2024 wishlist was published in the wake of a bad stretch the app had beginning in 2023. At the time, TestFlight was plagued by laggy performance if you were on a lot of betas. To Apple’s credit, they fixed the performance issues, though the issues have begun to creep back into recent releases. Still, the past couple of years as a TestFlight user have been fine despite all the ways the app could be made better for users.
When the TestFlight update finished installing, I eagerly opened it on my Mac and then my iPhone. Sure enough, there was the search field at long last. Lists practically beg for a search field, and finally someone at Apple added one, and to whoever built that feature, a huge thanks from me and the MacStories team.
Unfortunately, this story comes with one very big “but.” Previously, TestFlight betas were listed in reverse chronological order, which I liked. The newer beta releases were at the top of the list and the older ones that were on the verge of being replaced by an App Store release were at the bottom, along with expired betas, a list that I never really understood the purpose of.
Well, those expired betas are now scattered among the active TestFlight betas in an alphabetical list and it seems that the expired beta list has been expanded to include every single beta I’ve ever been a part of. I did a rough count and for me that’s nearly 800 app listings. As you can imagine, the active betas in that list are few and far between. Search helps, but scrolling is no longer an option.
The live betas are few and far between when mixed with betas gone by.
I get that this is a very “me and a few of my friends” problem, and search does help, but it’s not enough. The active to inactive beta ratio is so bad that few iPhone screens include more than two or three active betas. So here’s my proposal:
Add a toggle in TestFlight’s settings that hides inactive betas.
That’s it, that would make all the difference in the world. I’d love to have the reverse chronological ordering back, a performance tune-up, and the other things I wished for back in 2024, but I’ll live with hiding all the noise from my beta list.
iOS 27 beta 4 for iPhone, and iPadOS 27 beta 4 for iPad, have been released for users engaged in the OS 27 developer beta system software testing programs. A concurrent public beta testing program is also now ongoing, though those betas are typically delayed a day or few behind dev betas, but otherwise match ... Read More
For Mac users who are currently running MacOS 27 Golden Gate beta, Apple has released the 4th beta version of MacOS 27 developer beta. The latest beta build is available to download now through Software Update, as an IPSW file, or as the full installer. MacOS 27 Golden Gate has a heavy focus on performance ... Read More
Apple today released the first public beta of macOS Golden Gate, expanding the macOS 27 beta test to non-developers. You can sign up to test the update on Apple’s beta website, and then download it by going to System Settings > General > Software Update and toggling on the macOS 27 beta.
The fact that there are more design changes in macOS than any of Apple’s other 27 updates speaks volumes about how broken many of the Tahoe design decisions were. Apple describes the design as “even more refined,” because in Apple marketing-speak, broken features are never remedied or fixed—past features are just improved. The truth is, Apple has rolled back numerous missteps and made changes to others to mitigate the issues they caused.
The Golden Gate developer beta has proven stable in my everyday use on an M5 MacBook Air and M5 Max MacBook Pro, which is notable since dev betas often have side effects like tanking battery life or causing hardware to run hotter than normal.
[…]
Would I still prefer to go back to the flatter design of macOS Sequoia? Yes, unequivocally. But at least Liquid Glass is more tolerable and less distracting now.
Nowhere is the Snow Leopard of it all more apparent than in the hundreds of little changes made to improve the day-to-day use of your Mac. I’m not going to catalog them all here, but I’ve used Golden Gate on two different Macs at this point, and based on my experiences so far, the changes are meaningful.
Apple released the iOS 27 public beta today, and if you’ve been curious about the new software, now’s the time to try it out. iOS 27 brings Siri AI, performance improvements, and lots of new Apple Intelligence features.
[…]
Everything feels snappier than it did in iOS 26. Animations are quicker, apps launch faster, and AirDrop transfers complete faster. You’ll see improvements when taking photos, opening the keyboard, using the App Library, and swapping Home Screen pages. Your iMessages between devices sync more accurately, messages won’t fail to send and will be automatically retried, and your iPhone can transition more smoothly between Wi-Fi and cellular.
In general, the iOS 27 incarnation of Liquid Glass is far easier on the eyes, dialing down the transparency in favor of legibility. Apple’s also imposed some distinction between user interface elements and content. For example, in list views like in Messages and Mail there are now much clearer “toolbar” areas at the top when you start scrolling, even if they still have some degree of translucency. App icons have also gotten a face lift; they’re sharper, and feel more vibrant.
[…]
That’s because one of the odd things about looking at iOS 27 is that there’s just a ton of small stuff—those “quality of life” improvements that chip away at little frustrations and annoyances.
Now that the public beta for iOS 27 is available, even more iPhone and iPad users are going to be interested in experiencing the new operating systems while they’re under active development. And there’s good reason for this, iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 are both shaping up to be notable improvements to the operating systems, ... Read More
Apple has released the first public beta of iOS 27, giving eager iPhone users an early look at the year’s most significant software update. Launched on July 13, 2026, the beta introduces a vastly improved Siri powered by Apple Intelligence, along with speed enhancements, refined visuals, and thoughtful updates to everyday features.
How to Install the iOS 27 Public Beta
Joining the beta is straightforward and free through Apple’s Beta Software Program — no developer account required.
Back up your iPhone first (via iCloud or a computer), as betas can bring bugs, battery drain, or app issues.
Visit beta.apple.com, sign in with your Apple ID, and enroll.
On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates.
Select iOS 27 Public Beta.
Return to the Software Update screen and tap Update Now when available.
Apple recommends testing on a secondary device. iOS 27 supports iPhone 11 and newer models (including SE 2nd generation and later). Full Apple Intelligence features, including advanced Siri AI, require iPhone 15 Pro or newer.
Siri AI Steals the Spotlight
The biggest highlight is the complete overhaul of Siri, now rebuilt as Siri AI on the next-generation Apple Intelligence foundation. It supports natural, ongoing conversations, understands on-screen content, searches your personal data across apps like Mail, Messages, Notes, and Calendar, and performs actions within apps.
• Responses appear in the Dynamic Island; pull down for full conversation view.
• A new standalone Siri app stores conversation history (synced privately via iCloud).
• Camera integration adds a Visual Intelligence mode for tasks like turning barcodes into Wallet passes or importing events from flyers.
• New voice controls let you adjust pace and expressivity.
Siri AI starts with select English variants and is unavailable in the EU at launch. Some advanced features need the latest flagship iPhones.
Apple Intelligence Expands Across Apps
Beyond Siri, Apple Intelligence brings smarter tools to several core apps:
• Safari: Auto-organizes tabs by topic, groups bookmarks and Reading List items, offers “Notify Me” for stock alerts or page changes, and can generate custom extensions from natural language prompts.
• Photos: New Clean Up for complex objects, Extend to generate content beyond frame edges, and Spatial Reframing to adjust perspective post-capture.
• Passwords: Automatically updates weak or compromised passwords with Live Activity progress.
• Shortcuts: Build automations from plain-language descriptions.
• Additional perks include Call Context in Phone, photorealistic image generation in Image Playground, and natural-language Calendar editing.
Liquid Glass Gets More Customizable
iOS 27 refines last year’s Liquid Glass design for better clarity and flexibility. Controls better diffuse backgrounds, with improved contrast for readability. The standout new feature is a customization slider in Settings > Appearance that adjusts tint and translucency system-wide, from ultra-clear to fully opaque.
Performance Upgrades for All iPhones
Apple promises noticeable speed gains even on older devices:
• Apps launch up to 30% faster.
• AirDrop transfers up to 80% faster.
• New Photos captures appear up to 70% faster.
Optimizations to the CPU scheduler benefit iPhone 11 and newer. Expect smoother unlocking, navigation, scrolling, and better network switching. Search in Spotlight, Photos, and Mail has also been rebuilt.
Redesigned Screen Time and Enhanced Child Safety
Parents get a major upgrade with a clearer dashboard, one-tap controls, category-based Time Allowances, and flexible Schedules (school days, evenings, weekends). New Ask to Browse extends permissions to websites, while Communication Safety now flags gore and violence in addition to nudity. Full features require all Family Sharing devices on iOS 27.
Other Notable Features
• Messages: Background media sending and consolidated Tapback notifications.
• Photos: Full-resolution Shared Albums, cross-platform support, keywords, star ratings, and custom slideshows.
• Save any video frame as a photo.
• Independent alarm volume control.
• Extra-large widgets that fill entire Home Screen pages.
• AirPods custom equalizer.
• Direct GymKit connections and improved FaceTime/Home features on supported hardware.
MacDailyNews Take: The public beta will evolve through the summer, with the final release expected this fall alongside new iPhones. Users can report issues via the Feedback Assistant app.
Currently, iOS 27 public beta feels like a polished, user-focused OS that meaningfully advances AI capabilities while making the iPhone faster and more enjoyable for everyone. Early testers should proceed with caution, but will in most cases likely be impressed by the refinements already in place. Again, use a secondary device for testing iOS 27 public beta.
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Apple has opened the public beta program for MacOS 27 Golden Gate to all curious Mac users. While betas are typically best reserved for advanced users due to being buggier and less stable than final builds, the public beta program offers an opportunity for users to experience beta development and upcoming features, ahead of the ... Read More
Apple has launched the public beta program for iOS 27, making the upcoming iPhone operating system available as a beta to all interested users. Beta system software tends to be buggier and less refined than final versions, and is generally best reserved for advanced users, but the public beta is fairly stable, and made available ... Read More
Apple has issued what is now the fifth beta versions of iOS 26.6, MacOS Tahoe 26.6, and iPadOS 26.6, for users beta testing the current generations of system software. There’s even a 5th beta build available for MacOS Sequoia 15.7.8 and MacOS Sonoma 14.8.8, which seems like a lot of betas for what is assumed ... Read More
Beta 4 of MacOS Tahoe 26.6, iOS 26.6, and iPadOS 26.6, has been released by Apple. The 4th beta arrives just a week after the 3rd beta, which perhaps suggests a final version will be made available in the next few weeks. There’s also a 4th RC build for MacOS Sequoia 15.7.8 and MacOS Sonoma ... Read More
The third beta version of MacOS Golden Gate 27 has been released to users enrolled in the developer beta testing program for Apple system software. MacOS 27 beta 3 carries build 26A5378j, and is available to download now through Software Update, a package installer, or IPSW. MacOS Golden Gate 27 has an emphasis on improving ... Read More
Apple has released iOS 27 beta 3 for iPhone users who are participating in the beta testing program. iPadOS 27 beta 3 is also available for iPad based beta testers. iOS 27 and iPadOS have an emphasis on performance, with improvements to general system performance, a slider for adjusting Liquid Glass intensity to the appearance, ... Read More
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