Leaked code from an unreleased internal build of iOS 26 is offering an early look at what Apple may be planning for iOS 26.4, iOS 27, and even further down the roadmap.
The findings come from reporting by Filipe Espósito at Macworld, who uncovered multiple feature flags and references pointing to future software upgrades across iOS, watchOS, and macOS.
As always with leaked internal builds, timelines are tentative and features may change or be delayed. Still, the details provide one of the clearest signals yet of where Apple’s platforms are heading next.
Below is a breakdown of everything revealed so far.
iOS 26.4 Features Found in Leaked Code
The leaked build contains several features explicitly tied to iOS 26.4, suggesting Apple is actively developing them for a near-term update rather than a major annual release.
Suggested: iOS 26.2 Features: Everything New in Apple’s Latest iPhone Update
A few days earlier Espósito had also found references to the Apple Studio Display 2 with three new features, as well as five new changes coming to the AirTag 2.
Siri AI upgrades finally take shape
One of the most notable discoveries is a set of references tied to Siri’s long-awaited AI improvements. While Apple has been publicly quiet about its Siri roadmap, the presence of new internal flags suggests deeper intelligence upgrades are still in progress behind the scenes.
Exact capabilities are not detailed in the code, but this aligns with Apple’s broader push toward more capable, context-aware on-device intelligence.
Credit cards saved to iCloud Keychain in third-party apps
Another iOS 26.4 feature would allow credit cards stored in third-party apps to be saved directly to iCloud Keychain. This would expand Keychain beyond Safari and Apple Pay usage, potentially making password and payment management more unified across the system.
If implemented, it would be a meaningful convenience upgrade for users who rely on third-party shopping and finance apps.
Freeform folders are coming
Apple’s Freeform app appears set to gain folder support. Currently, Freeform boards live in a flat list, which can become difficult to manage for heavy users.
Folder organization would be a logical next step, especially as Freeform continues to evolve as a brainstorming, planning, and collaboration tool across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
“Sports Tier” flag in the Apple TV app
The leaked code also references a new “Sports Tier” within the Apple TV app. While details are limited, the wording suggests Apple may be preparing a dedicated sports subscription tier or content category.
This would align with Apple’s growing investment in live sports, including MLS Season Pass and other regional sports deals.
Stronger Apple Account security checks
A new security feature referenced in the build would introduce additional device integrity checks before allowing a user to sign into their Apple Account or iCloud.
This could help prevent unauthorized access from compromised or modified devices, reinforcing Apple’s ongoing focus on account security and privacy.
iOS 27 Features in Early Development
Looking further ahead, the leaked code also references features tied to iOS 27, indicating Apple is already laying groundwork well in advance.
Improved Photos app collections
New feature flags suggest iOS 27 will introduce improvements to how collections work in the Photos app. While specifics are unclear, the changes appear focused on smarter organization and improved grouping of photos.
Given the size and complexity of modern photo libraries, this could be a meaningful quality-of-life upgrade.
A new AirPods pairing system
The code also points to a redesigned AirPods pairing system arriving with iOS 27. Pairing AirPods is already relatively seamless, so this likely involves under-the-hood improvements focused on speed, reliability, or multi-device behavior.
It is not yet clear whether this change will require newer AirPods hardware.
iOS 28 and Beyond: Even Earlier Signals
Although still far off, the leaked build includes references that hint at Apple’s longer-term plans.
Expanded sleep tracking metrics
For iOS 28 and future watchOS updates, Apple appears to be working on new sleep tracking metrics for Apple Watch. One metric specifically mentioned is time in bed, which would complement existing sleep duration and sleep quality data.
This would further position Apple Watch as a comprehensive health and wellness device.
Health app coming to the Mac
Another notable reference suggests that Apple plans to bring the Health app to macOS with macOS 28. This would allow users to view and manage health data directly on the Mac, rather than relying solely on the iPhone.
Given Apple’s push toward cross-platform consistency, this move feels increasingly inevitable.
Additional Features Without a Fixed Release
Several features appear in the code without being tied to a specific iOS version, suggesting they could arrive in any of the upcoming updates.
One example is improved Find My support for AirPods, including a “Precise Outdoor Location” feature that may be exclusive to future models like AirPods Pro 3. Another reference points to a redesigned Health app interface with a new category layout and simplified metric logging.
What This Means Going Forward
It is important to note that Apple frequently changes feature plans, even late in development. The leaked code may not reflect final shipping timelines, and some features could be postponed or canceled altogether.
That said, the discoveries paint a clear picture of Apple’s priorities. Smarter Siri intelligence, stronger security, deeper health tracking, and better app organization all appear to be central themes for future iOS releases.
If even a portion of these features ship as expected, iOS 26.4 and iOS 27 could deliver meaningful improvements beyond routine bug fixes.
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