The first release candidates for iOS 27.2, iPadOS 27.2, visionOS 27.2, watchOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2, and macOS 27.2 have arrived for testing.

The first release candidates for iOS 27.2, iPadOS 27.2, macOS 27.2 Golden Gate, watchOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2, visionOS 27.2, and HomePod Software 27.2 have surfaced, following four developer beta cycles, three for tvOS 27.2 and HomePod Software 27.2.

While a release candidate or RC version means the update is practically at the state it will be distributed to the general public, there's no guarantee it will be the only one. A second RC is always a possibility.

The first major post-milestone update is normally a point-one version, which unusually isn't the case this time. As the iOS 27.1 build is designated to be used with the iPhone Duo, that version is being skipped for the non-foldable iPhone models.

The new 27.2 builds are:

  • iOS 27.2 RC 1 is 24B115, replacing 24B5110a
  • iPadOS 27.2 RC 1 is 24B115, replacing 24B5110a
  • macOS 27.2 RC 1 is 26B118, replacing 26B5112a
  • watchOS 27.2 RC 1 is 24S116, replacing 24S5112a
  • visionOS 27.2 RC 1 is 24N118, replacing 24N5114a
  • tvOS 27.2 RC 1 is 24K120, replacing 24K5103f
  • HomePod Software 27.2 RC 1 is 24K120, replacing 24K5103f

Apple has also released RC builds for older operating systems:

  • macOS 15.8.2. RC 3 is build 24H230, replacing 24H225
  • macOS 26.7.2 RC 3 is build 25G330, replacing 25G325
  • iOS 26.7.2 RC 1 is build 23H127
  • iPadOS 26.7.2 RC 1 is 23H127

The RC round arrives after the fourth developer betas, which were distributed on October 5. However, while there were builds for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and visionOS, the round didn't include builds for tvOS nor HomePod Software.

The third round was shared by Apple on October 5. The second appeared on September 21, and the first round landed on September 16.

The first round introduced a few changes to iOS 27.2, including a redesigned Health app, which works alongside the Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Apple Watch Series 12.

FaceTime gained dual capture support, Siri AI added localization for multiple languages, and Apple TV profiles from tvOS 26.2 came over to the iPhone.

The second build had indications of a new AutoLock security feature, which locks down an iPhone if it is detected to have been snatched or otherwise stolen from the owner. The feature isn't accessible to testers, but it was spotted as running in the background in a non-functional manner.

The fourth iOS 27.2 beta had Apple Music change its icon to black and white, as well as a withdrawal of the redesign of the Apple Health app in favor of a later release. HomePods also gained a new setting to Lock Controls.

AppleInsider warns readers trying out beta software should do so on secondary, spare hardware instead of their mission-critical or daily driver devices. There is always a risk of buggy, broken, or other potentially harmful elements in beta software, which can be a risk to your data.

Members of the public should seek out the public betas instead of the developer versions as safer alternatives. In either case, it is also advisable to keep up-to-date backups on hand.

Find any changes in the new builds? Reach out to us on X at @AppleInsider or @Andrew_OSU, or send Andrew an email at [email protected].