The first patch for iOS 27 is out, and it’s worth installing if you have a new iPhone 18 Pro. Apple also published a family guide for screen time, and said it will tighten a long-standing Mac privacy setting.
iOS 27.0.1 fixes Face ID on iPhone 18 Pro
Apple released iOS 27.0.1 on Monday, the first update since iOS 27 arrived on 14 September. The headline fix is for iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, which could unexpectedly restart when Face ID failed to authenticate. Some owners had also seen Face ID setup fail, or the phone freeze when unlocking an app. The 18 Pro models are the first to put the infrared Face ID camera under the display; Apple had already said the problems could be addressed in software.
The update also fixes a colour artifact that could appear on 2x photos in certain lighting on a small number of 18 Pro models, and a bug where opening Notification Centre and Control Centre at the same time could leave the touchscreen unresponsive. It’s available for every iPhone that runs iOS 27, not just the new Pros. Apple also shipped matching 27.0.1 updates for iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro, plus a security update for devices still on iOS 26. You can download it in Settings, then General, then Software Update. If you have an iPhone 18 Pro, this is the one to install.
A new guide for families and screen time
On Tuesday, Apple and the American Academy of Pediatrics released a guide to help families build healthier digital habits. It walks through six steps: talking about expectations, setting up a Child Account, app and website controls, scheduling device use, managing contacts, and revisiting the plan as children grow. The controls it describes need iOS 27, iPadOS 27 or macOS 27.
Tighter Full Disk Access on the Mac
On Friday, Apple told developers it will add extra controls for Full Disk Access in macOS. The permission exists so backup apps can do their job, but Apple says some apps are using it in ways that expose files, mail, messages and browsing history without users fully understanding what they’ve granted. It pointed to the rise of more autonomous AI agents as a reason to require a clearer, more explicit action before an app gets that level of access. No date or macOS version has been set.
Duo production is already a concern
iPhone Duo pre-orders are still two weeks away, but a report this week, citing a source close to Foxconn’s supply chain, said final assembly yields were only a little above 60 per cent in mid-September. That’s a single, unverified account, but it sits alongside the tight supply Apple has already flagged. If you’re planning to pre-order, it’s worth having your configuration ready.
What to watch next week
Reports continue to point to a smart home announcement around 13 October, including a home hub, a new HomePod mini and an updated Apple TV, though Apple has not confirmed a date. iPhone Duo pre-orders follow the week after, on Friday, 16 October.
