Group Video Calls and TV Profiles Arrive in Next Week's iPhone Update

Apple will release iOS 27.2 next week, marking the first major software update for the general iPhone user base this cycle. The update follows the release of iOS 27.1, which was restricted to the iPhone Duo. This broader rollout introduces three distinct changes to how users video call, listen to audio, and watch television on their phones.

The most visible change expands the Dual Capture feature in FaceTime. This tool, introduced in iOS 27, allows users to display both the front and rear cameras simultaneously during a call. By tapping the Flip button, the rear camera becomes active while the front camera remains visible. Previously, this capability worked only in one-on-one conversations. Under the new update, users can apply Dual Capture to Group FaceTime calls, allowing them to share their immediate surroundings with multiple participants at once.

The Apple Podcasts app undergoes a structural redesign to address user complaints about clutter. The single Up Next queue at the top of the Home tab is divided into two separate sections. The first section, New Episodes, lists the most recent releases from shows a user follows. The second section, Continue Playing, aggregates all partially listened to episodes. This separation allows listeners to distinguish between fresh content and shows they have already started but not finished.

The Apple TV app gains user profiles for the first time on iOS. While these profiles have existed on the tvOS platform for Apple TV devices, they are new to the iPhone application. Upon launching the app after the update, users will see a profile selection screen. This interface can be disabled if users prefer not to use it. When active, the app tailors content recommendations to the specific viewer selected.

The inclusion of child profiles ensures that only age-appropriate series and movies from Apple appear in the viewing queue. This setup prevents children from accessing unsuitable material when using a parent's iPhone. It also keeps adult viewing lists uncluttered by separating different user preferences within the same device. According to 9to5Mac, these changes are part of a larger update that adds new features to six different iPhone apps.

The rollout is scheduled for the coming week. This release serves as the primary software update for most iPhone owners, following the limited distribution of the previous version. The combination of expanded video tools, reorganized audio queues, and profile-based media viewing aims to refine daily interactions with the operating system.