iPhone Update Adds Group Camera Tools

Apple is set to roll out iOS 27.2 next week, marking the next major software update for iPhone users. This release follows iOS 27.1, which was restricted to the iPhone Duo, making 27.2 the first broad deployment for the wider device ecosystem.

The update expands the Dual Capture feature in FaceTime to group calls. When it launched with iOS 27, the tool was limited to one-on-one video chats. In the new version, users on compatible models can tap the Flip button during a group session to activate the rear camera while keeping the front camera active. This allows participants to show their surroundings and their faces simultaneously.

Apple Podcasts also receives a structural change. The Up Next queue on the Home tab is being divided into two distinct sections. The first, labeled New Episodes, lists the latest releases from followed shows. The second, Continue Playing, is a new section that aggregates shows a listener has started but not yet finished. A writer for 9to5Mac, who previously described the old layout as cluttered, noted that the beta version helps users keep better track of their listening habits.

The Apple TV app gains user profiles for the first time on iPhone. While profiles have been available on Apple TV boxes, this is their debut on the mobile operating system. Upon first launch after the update, users will see a profile selection screen, which can be disabled. Once enabled, the app filters content recommendations based on the active profile. If a child’s profile is selected, the app limits the library to age-appropriate Apple content, helping prevent parents from seeing children’s viewing history and vice versa.

The software update includes new features in six iPhone apps in total. The release is scheduled for next week, following the standard distribution timeline for major iOS patches.