iOS 27.2 gives Siri memory of past conversations and FaceTime dual cameras

Apple released iOS 27.2 on Monday, and the headline feature is Siri: the assistant can now recall details from your previous conversations. Ask it about a topic you discussed last week, and it should remember what it told you and pick up the thread in a new chat. That is a real change in behavior, though as with any recall feature, accuracy will depend on how well Apple's on-device indexing actually works in daily use.

The update is the first major release for iOS 27, following the minor iOS 27.0.1 in late September, which fixed a bug that froze the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max when users tried to use Face ID. Curiously, there was no iOS 27.1 for the main iPhone line — that version number was reserved for the iPhone Duo, Apple's new foldable.

What can the new Siri actually do?

Beyond remembering past chats, Siri can now tap into more sources on your device to answer questions, according to ZDNET's rundown of the release. The list includes:

• Voicemails
• Safari's reading list and browsing history
• Photos inside text messages
• People invited to a calendar event

Users can also choose which apps Siri and iOS Search's Spotlight are allowed to access, which matters for anyone wary of handing an assistant blanket permission. The catch: more sources means more surface area for wrong answers, and Apple has not said how it will surface when Siri misremembers something.

How does dual-camera FaceTime work?

FaceTime calls can now use the front and rear iPhone cameras simultaneously. You could stream yourself on the front camera while the rear camera shows the other people in the room, letting the person on the other end see everyone at once. The feature works on individual calls and group calls alike — but only if the other party has also updated to version 27.2 on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. That dependency will slow adoption in the early weeks.

Apple also added accessibility support for deaf and hearing-impaired users: video calls can now include a third-party sign language interpreter or a live captioner.

What is Multiview Expansion?

A feature called Multiview Expansion, which debuted a few years ago on the Apple TV, is now available on the iPhone. It lets you watch as many as four sporting events streaming at the same time. Supported content includes Major League Soccer, Formula 1 in the US, and Friday Night Baseball doubleheaders during the MLB season. For F1 races, you can switch between different views such as driver-view cameras and course maps. There is a paywall, though: you need an Apple TV subscription for any of it to work.

What else changed in iOS 27.2?

The update touches nearly every corner of the system:

• Messages suggestions. The Messages app now suggests actions based on conversation context, such as adding a calendar event or creating a reminder from a chat.
• Podcasts redesign. The Up Next section, showing queued episodes, now displays two rows at the top of the Home screen: one for New Episodes from shows you follow, and one for Continue Playing with in-progress episodes sorted by most recently played.
• Shared Albums. You can now edit captions and comments, better avoid duplicate photos, and receive an alert before a shared album is about to expire.

What did the iPhone Duo get?

Two changes target Apple's foldable directly. The iPhone Duo now supports the USB-C version of the Apple Pencil, letting users draw in Notes and other apps, mark up documents in Preview, and use Scribble to write in any text field. A new Edge Light feature illuminates your face during video calls made in dim lighting, so the other person can see you better.

What is still missing?

The redesigned Health app is the notable absentee. It appeared in the initial beta release of iOS 27.2, but Apple held the changes back for later in the year — likely iOS 27.3, expected in December. The update also extends beyond the iPhone: Apple rolled out version 27.2 for supported iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, Apple TVs, Vision Pros, and HomePods.

To install it on an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, select General, and tap Software Update, then choose Update Now and restart the device.

The Siri memory upgrade positions Apple more directly against assistants from Google and OpenAI, which already lean on conversation history. Whether the promise holds up will become clear only as users test recall across weeks of accumulated chats.