Apple TV App Gains Family Profiles: iOS 27.2 Release Looms

Apple will release iOS 27.2 next week, marking the next major software update for iPhone owners. This release is broader than the previous iOS 27.1, which was limited to the iPhone Duo. The update introduces three primary changes to how users handle video calls, podcasts, and streaming content on their devices.

The most visible change extends the Dual Capture feature to group video calls. This tool debuted in iOS 27 for one-on-one conversations, allowing users to tap a flip button to activate the rear camera while keeping the front camera active. With iOS 27.2, compatible iPhone models will support this simultaneous dual-camera view during group FaceTime sessions.

Apple has also restructured the Apple Podcasts application. The Up Next queue on the Home tab is being divided into two separate sections. The first, labeled New Episodes, will display the latest releases from shows a user follows. Directly below that, a new Continue Playing section will aggregate shows that a listener has started but not yet finished.

A writer for 9to5Mac, who previously described the old Up Next feed as cluttered and confusing, tested the beta version of this new layout. The reviewer concluded that the split sections help users track their listening habits more effectively. This change aims to provide a clearer view of what is currently available versus what is pending.

The update also brings user profiles to the Apple TV app on iPhone. While profiles have existed on tvOS devices, this is the first time they arrive on the iOS platform. Upon opening the app after the update, users will encounter a profile selection screen. This screen can be disabled if users prefer not to use the feature.

Once a profile is selected, the app adjusts its content recommendations to match that specific viewer. If a child's profile is active, the app filters the library to show only age-appropriate series and movies from Apple. This setup helps keep an adult's viewing queue organized and prevents children from encountering unsuitable material when using a parent's device.

iOS 27.2 will add new features to six iPhone apps in total. The release is scheduled for the coming week, following the limited rollout of iOS 27.1 to the iPhone Duo earlier this month.