Apple releases iPadOS 27 Release Candidate ahead of public launch

Apple has seeded the iPadOS 27 Release Candidate to developers and public beta testers, putting the major iPad software update on the final stretch towards its public release.

The Release Candidate is expected to become the same build Apple distributes to iPad users worldwide, assuming testing does not uncover a significant problem that requires the company to issue another version.

iPadOS 27 has been undergoing testing since WWDC in June, with Apple steadily refining the update through a summer-long beta cycle.

The Apple Post has covered the changes coming with iPadOS 27 as Apple prepares the update for compatible iPad models.

Apple’s Release Candidate stage generally signals that development of the initial major release is effectively complete. The company can still replace the build if a serious bug emerges, but otherwise today’s software should be what users receive when iPadOS 27 launches publicly.

Developers with an eligible iPad can download the RC through Software Update, while users enrolled in Apple’s public beta program should also be offered the final pre-release build.

Apple publishes build details and release notes through its developer website as new versions of its operating systems become available for testing.

iPadOS 27 is expected to be released publicly shortly, bringing the summer beta cycle to an end.