Customers receiving the iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max on launch day will need to install an iOS 27 software update during the setup process. The new models are shipping with earlier versions of iOS 27, while the public launch version is build 24A437. Reports indicate that iPhone 18 Pro units may contain builds such as 24A427 or 24A428, necessitating an update before users can fully utilize their devices.
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This update is standard practice and does not indicate any issues with the new iPhones. Apple begins manufacturing and packaging devices well in advance of their release, which means that the software installed at the factory can be outdated compared to the final public version.
iOS 27 was released earlier this week and includes enhancements such as Siri AI and various new Apple Intelligence features, marking it as a significant update across the operating system. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are the first models to ship after this update's release.
The requirement for a day-one update will also apply to the new Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, as they will need the latest watchOS software during setup. Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro have already started shipping ahead of the official launch on Friday, September 18. Customers picking up their devices in-store or receiving preorders at home should plan for additional time to accommodate the software update during data transfer and setup.