Apple Watch: watchOS 27 public beta with Siri AI and design updates now available

Apple has officially released the watchOS 27 public beta, bringing significant changes to the user experience. This update introduces a new home screen design where the Siri AI app takes the center position, surrounded by a ring of six recently used apps. This layout aims to simplify navigation and quick access for daily tasks.

The core of this release is the integration of Siri AI as a standalone chatbot. Users can now view and resume past conversations directly on their wrists. The voice assistant is capable of handling navigation requests, music playback, and text messaging, functioning similarly to other modern AI models. Additionally, the Smart Stack now surfaces information from ongoing Siri sessions or even your vehicle's location.

To try these features before the official fall launch, users must enroll in the Apple Beta Software Program and update their paired iPhone to the iOS 27 public beta. Once the phone is updated, the watchOS beta becomes available within the Watch app under the General menu in Software Update.

Hardware compatibility is more restricted this year than in previous updates. The watchOS 27 public beta requires an Apple Watch Series 9 or newer, an Apple Watch Ultra 2 or newer, or the Apple Watch SE 3. If you have an older device, you will remain on your current version of the operating system.

These updates mark a shift toward making the Apple Watch a more intelligent companion. By moving Siri to the center of the UI and improving how the watch handles ongoing context, the company is betting on AI as the next phase for wearable hardware.