Apple has rolled out the first release candidate (RC) builds for its upcoming updates—iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27 “Golden Gate”, tvOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27—as it nears the final stage before public release. These builds are seen as feature-complete versions of the new software, serving as the last testing phase before general availability. Any future updates in the RC stage are expected to focus only on fixing bugs rather than introducing new features.
How We Got Here
The latest RCs follow eight developer beta versions, with Beta 8 released on August 31. Earlier betas were seeded weekly or biweekly—from Beta 1 in early June (shortly after WWDC) through to Beta 8 at the end of August. Each iteration introduced refinements ranging from feature additions to interface tweaks. WatchOS 27 hit particularly noticeable delays, with its second beta arriving a few days later than the rest.
What’s New in RC 1 vs Previous Betas
Here are the build numbers for RC 1 alongside the versions they’re replacing:
- iOS 27 RC 1 & iPadOS 27 RC 1: build 24A435 (replacing 24A5430a)
- macOS 27 RC 1: build 26A5428 (replacing 26A5425a)
- tvOS 27 RC 1: build 24J360 (replacing 24J5360a)
- watchOS 27 RC 1: build 24R363 (replacing 24R5360a)
- visionOS 27 RC 1: build 24M362 (replacing 24M5361a)
Simultaneously, Apple also reissued RCs for prior updates: macOS 26.7 (RC 4), macOS 15.8 (RC 4), plus iOS 26.7 and iPadOS 26.7. These minor updates continue refining earlier software releases.
Notable Changes in the iOS 27 Betas
Across the beta rounds, Apple rolled out major UI updates including a revamped “Liquid Glass” design. Siri has been overhauled with more visual polish and expanded customization options—especially significant on newer iPhones and in British English. Other enhancements include improved Home app integration for Apple TV, deeper Wallet insights, and new features aimed at child protection. Early versions also brought toggles for controlling app suggestions and simpler Control Center displays when using Wi-Fi.
Developer vs Public Beta: What to Know
Developer betas are primarily for app and ecosystem testing and can be buggy, unstable, or incomplete. RC builds are much more polished, but installing prerelease software always carries some risk.
For non-developers wanting early access, public betas offer a safer alternative. These are released after developer betas have matured and generally present fewer issues.
The RC stage signals that Apple is locking in what users will first see when the official versions drop—likely timed with the launch of new hardware in late 2026. The updates are now feature-complete, meaning only fixes remain. Below are all the RC build details and what was added in earlier beta rounds.
What this means: These RCs mark the last checkpoints. If you’re eager for the new Liquid Glass look, upgraded Siri, and expanded parental controls, you’re nearly there. Developers should test on secondary devices, and general users might consider public betas. In all cases: back up your data. What’s left is timing—keep an eye on Apple’s next announcements for the official rollout.
