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The Complete Guide to Every iOS 27 Feature

How to get directions to your parked car in Maps on iPhone

by Dave Johnson

When you disconnect your iPhone from your car’s CarPlay or Bluetooth® system and exit your vehicle, a parked car marker is dropped so you can easily find the way back to your car.

For that to work, your iPhone needs to be paired to CarPlay or Bluetooth in your car, with Location Services on.

Find your parked car

  1. Open the Maps app on your iPhone.
  2. Choose Parked Car below Siri Suggestions.

If you don’t find your parked car in Maps

Make sure your iPhone is paired to CarPlay or Bluetooth in your car, then check for the following: Location Services is turned on in Settings > Privacy & Security.

  • Significant Locations is turned on in Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services.
  • Show Parked Location is turned on in Settings > Apps > Maps.

Note: Maps doesn’t mark your car as parked when you leave it at a familiar location, such as your home or work.

Don’t show your parked location

  1. Open the Maps app on your iPhone.
  2. To remove the Parked Car marker for your car’s current location, touch and hold the marker. Tap Remove Car.
  3. To never show your parked location, open Settings, tap Apps, tap Maps, and turn off Show Parked Location.
Tag: Maps
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How to control iPad with the movement of your eyes

by Moses Johnson

With Eye Tracking, you can control iPad using just your eyes. An onscreen pointer follows the movement of your eyes, and when you hold your gaze steady on an item—or dwell—you perform an action, such as a tap. All data used to set up and control Eye Tracking is processed on device.

It uses the built-in, front-facing camera, and you need to calibrate it every time you turn it on.

Before you begin

Eye Tracking works through the built-in, front-facing camera on iPad. You’ll get the best results when your face is adequately lit and clearly visible to the camera, with iPad on a stable surface roughly a foot and a half from your face.

Eye Tracking is available with supported iPad models.

Turn on Eye Tracking

  1. Open Settings, tap Accessibility, tap Eye Tracking, and then turn on Eye Tracking.
  2. Follow the onscreen instructions to calibrate Eye Tracking. As a dot appears in different locations around the screen, follow its movement with your eyes.

    Note: You need to calibrate Eye Tracking every time you turn it on.

Use Eye Tracking

When Eye Tracking is on and calibrated, an onscreen pointer follows the movement of your eyes. And by default, an outline appears around whatever item on the screen you’re looking at.

If Snap to Item is turned off, when you hold your gaze steady at a location on the screen, the dwell pointer appears where you’re looking and the dwell timer begins (the dwell pointer circle starts to fill). When the dwell timer finishes, an action—tap, by default—is performed.

Use the AssistiveTouch menu for additional onscreen gestures or physical button presses. For details, check out our guide, Use AssistiveTouch.

Recalibrate Eye Tracking

If you move your face or your iPad and recalibration is needed, Eye Tracking calibration starts automatically. You can also start Eye Tracking calibration manually.

  1. Look at the top-left corner of your screen and hold your gaze steady.

    The dwell pointer appears and the dwell timer begins (the dwell pointer circle starts to fill). When the dwell timer finishes, Eye Tracking calibration starts.

  2. Follow the onscreen instructions to calibrate Eye Tracking. As a dot appears in different locations around the screen, follow its movement with your eyes.

You can change which corner of the screen you look at to start recalibration, and you can assign actions to other corners, too. Read our article, Set up Dwell Control.

Set options for Eye Tracking

You can set options for how the Eye Tracking pointer responds to your gaze.

  1. Open Settings, tap Accessibility and tap Eye Tracking. Adjust any of the following:
    • Smoothing: Increase this value to make the movement of the pointer smoother. Or decrease this value to make the pointer more responsive.
    • Snap to Item: Have the Eye Tracking pointer automatically move to the item on the screen that’s closest to where you’re looking.
    • Zoom on Keyboard Keys: When you dwell on the keyboard, zoom in on the section of the keyboard you’re looking at. Dwell again on a key to tap it.
    • Auto-Hide: Show the Eye Tracking pointer when you hold your gaze steady for the amount of time specified. When your eyes are moving, the pointer automatically fades.
    • Dwell Control: Turn Dwell Control on or off. To adjust settings for Dwell Control, such as the default dwell action and the duration of the dwell timer, see Set up Dwell Control.
    • Show Face Guidance: Turn Show Face Guidance on or off to get help adjusting how you’re positioned.

To change the size or color of the Eye Tracking pointer, go to Settings > Accessibility > Pointer Control. See Make the pointer easier to see.

Use an external eye-tracking device with iPad

You can also use a Made for iPad (MFi) eye-tracking device to control iPad.

  1. Follow the eye-tracking device manufacturer’s instructions to connect your device to iPad with a Lightning or USB-C connector (depending on your iPad model).
  2. Set up your eye-tracking device using the device’s companion app.
  3. Open Settings, tap Accessibility, tap Touch, tap AssistiveTouch, and turn on AssistiveTouch.
  4. If you want to be able to interact with an item on the screen when you hold your gaze steady on the item, turn on Dwell Control.

    To adjust settings for Dwell Control, such as the default dwell action and the duration of the dwell timer, see Set up Dwell Control.

  5. To set additional options for your eye-tracking device, tap Devices (below Pointer Devices), tap the name of the device, and adjust any of the following:

    • Customize Additional Buttons: Perform actions using a physical switch (if supported by your eye-tracking device).
    • Snap to Item: Have the pointer automatically move to the item on the screen that’s closest to where you’re looking.
    • Auto-Hide: Show the pointer when you hold your gaze steady for the amount of time specified. When your eyes are moving, the pointer automatically fades.

To change the color and size of the pointer, go to Settings > Accessibility > Pointer Control. See Make the pointer easier to see when using a mouse or trackpad with iPad.

See also

Tag: accessibility
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How to back up your Health data in iCloud on iPhone

by Kevin Hollington

If you sign in with your Apple Account, your health and fitness information in the Health app is stored automatically in iCloud. Your information is encrypted as it goes between iCloud and your device and while it’s stored in iCloud.

In addition to using iCloud, or if you aren’t using iCloud, you can back up your Health data by encrypting a computer backup. You can also stop storing your data in iCloud at any time. Your Health app data syncs across devices that are signed in to the same Apple Account.

Note: For your Health app data to sync across devices, make sure your devices are signed in to the same Apple Account, are connected to the internet, and are updated to the latest OS version.

Manage your Health data in iCloud

Check that your Health data is synced across all of your devices, or stop storing your data at any time.

  1. Go to the Settings app on your iPhone
  2. Tap your name, then tap iCloud.
  3. Tap Show All and tap Health. Then turn Sync with iPhone on or off.
Tags: Health, iCloud
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How to use the Holidays calendar on iPad

by Abigail Shilets

In the Calendar app, the Holidays calendar displays holidays based on the region set on your iPad.

You can show or hide holidays, and add a holiday calendar from a different region. Since the Holidays calendar is a subscription calendar, though, you can’t add or delete holidays, because it can be modified only by the calendar provider. Notification alerts and the color for a holiday calendar can be changed, too.

Note: The Holidays calendar is a subscription calendar, so you can’t add or delete holidays; only the calendar provider can modify it.

Show or hide holidays

  1. Open the Calendar app on your iPad.
  2. Tap the Calendars button at the top left.
  3. Select or deselect US Holidays (or the holiday calendar for your country or region).

Add a holiday calendar from a different region

  1. Open the Calendar app on your iPad.
  2. Tap the Calendars button at the top left.
  3. Tap Add Calendar at the bottom of the screen. Then tap Add Holiday Calendar.
  4. Tap the holiday calendar you want to subscribe to and then tap the Done button.

For settings like notification alerts or the color of a holiday calendar, read our guide, Set up multiple calendars.

See also

Tag: Calendar
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How to use the Tips app on iPad

by Emily Long

View collections of tips in the Tips app that help you get the most from your iPad. You can also get notifications every once in a while so you can keep learning new things over time.

In the Tips app, you can learn things like how to access your passwords. New tips are added regularly, and if you’d like, you can get notified when they arrive, save tips to your Saved tips collection, or share a tip.

Get tips

The Tips app teaches you how to personalize your Lock Screen, how to access your passwords, how to use Calculator to solve math problems, and much more, with new tips added regularly.

To start learning, go to the Tips app, tap a collection, then tap a tip.

Get notified when new tips arrive

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Notifications, tap Tips below Notification Style, and turn on Allow Notifications.
  3. Choose options for the style of notifications you want to receive, how they should appear, and more.

Save tips

You can add tips to your Saved tips collection to quickly find them later.

  1. Open the Tips app on your iPad.
  2. Tap a tip. Tap the Save button to add it to your collection. To remove the tip from your Saved tips collection, tap the Save button again.

To view all the tips you saved, tap the Show Sidebar button or the Back button until you return to the list of collections, then tap “Saved tips.”

Share a tip

Share a tip with a friend over Messages and Mail, or send it to someone nearby with AirDrop. Tips can also go into documents like Notes and Freeform boards.

  1. Open the Tips app on your iPad.
  2. Open the tip you want to share.
  3. Tap the Share button and then choose how to send the tip.

See also

Tag: Tips
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How to play videos with CarPlay

by Stacey Butler

When you’re not driving, you can play videos from your iPhone on your CarPlay display. CarPlay video apps work in vehicles that support the video-in-car feature.

You can also use AirPlay to play video or audio from your iPhone on your CarPlay display, then disconnect AirPlay when you’re done.

WARNING: For important information about avoiding distractions that could lead to dangerous situations, see Important safety information for iPhone.

Use AirPlay to play video or audio on your CarPlay display

  1. Connect iPhone to CarPlay.
  2. When you’re not driving, play a video on your iPhone from a supported CarPlay video app or any app that supports AirPlay.
  3. Tap the AirPlay button, then select your CarPlay display.

Note: If your vehicle indicates that video playback is not available, you’ll hear audio only instead.

Disconnect AirPlay from your CarPlay display

  1. When you’re not driving, open the app on your iPhone that’s playing the video you’re viewing on your CarPlay display.
  2. Tap the AirPlay button and then deselect your CarPlay display.
Tag: carplay
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How to log your state of mind with Journal on iPad

by Tyler Stephen

You can log your state of mind in the Journal app. The time you spend journaling can even be added automatically as mindful minutes in the Health app.

As you reflect on how you’re feeling, you can log your momentary emotions, and your state of mind is added to Health, where you can review its history over time. And the Health app can access your state of mind and mindful minutes, too, if you allow it.

Here’s how to journal for your wellbeing on iPad.

A screen in the Journal app showing a tile where you can log your state of mind.

Log your state of mind

You can reflect on how you’re feeling and log your momentary emotions in your journal.

  1. Open the Journal app on your iPad.
  2. While composing an entry, tap the Add State of Mind button.

    If you don’t see the Add State of Mind button, tap the More button, then tap Add State of Mind.

    You may be asked to turn on Health access.

  3. Drag the slider to indicate how you’re feeling and then tap the Next button.
  4. Tap any words that describe how you’re feeling and tap the Next button.
  5. Tap any words that describe what’s having the biggest impact on you. Then tap the Done button.

Your state of mind goes into Health, where you can review its history over time. Read our guide, Log your state of mind in Health.

Allow the Health app to access your state of mind and mindful minutes

You can automatically add the time you spent journaling as mindful minutes in the Health app.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Apps and tap Journal.
  3. Tap Health Access and then turn on Mindful Minutes and State of Mind.

See also

Tags: Health, Journal
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How to build a habit with Journal on iPad

by Moses Johnson

With the Journal app, you can keep track of your journaling goals and build new habits.

The sidebar shows your current streak, which is the number of consecutive days or weeks you’ve journaled, plus other insights. You can set a journaling schedule to be reminded to write, and add a Journal widget to your Home Screen or Lock Screen with your streak or writing prompts that change throughout the day.

Here’s how to build a habit with Journal on iPad.

Track journaling goals with Insights

  1. Open the Journal app on your iPad.

    Your current streak—the number of consecutive days or weeks you’ve journaled—and other insights are in the sidebar.

  2. Tap Insights. Then tap any tile to see more details.

    Tip: Tap the Toggle Sidebar button to open and close the sidebar.

    A screen in the Journal app showing the current streak and metrics, like number of words written.

Set a journaling schedule

You can be reminded to write with journaling notifications.

  1. Open the Journal app on your iPad.
  2. In the sidebar, tap the More button, then tap Notifications.
  3. Tap Custom and then set a weekly schedule.

Use the Journal widget

A widget on your Home Screen or Lock Screen can show your current streak or writing prompts that change throughout the day, helping you reflect on what’s going on in the moment.

  1. On the iPad Home Screen or Lock Screen, add a Journal widget.
  2. To change the widget, touch and hold the widget and then tap Edit Widget.
  3. Tap the widget to select from different writing prompts, start a new entry, or see details about your current streak.

See also

Tag: Journal
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How to edit or delete a journal entry on iPad

by Dave Johnson

You can edit a journal entry, add the same entry to multiple journals, and remove or add a title. You can also edit the entry date, or delete multiple entries at once. Deleted entries are saved for 30 days, so you can recover them.

Edit a journal entry

  1. Go to the Journal app on your iPad.
  2. Choose a journal or tap All Entries.
  3. Swipe left on an entry and then tap Edit.

Add the same entry to multiple journals

  1. Open the Journal app on your iPad.
  2. Choose a journal or tap All Entries.
  3. Tap the More button below the entry, then tap Choose Journals.

Remove or add a title

  1. Open the Journal app on your iPad.
  2. While composing an entry, tap the More button. Then tap Remove Title or Add Title.

    If you don’t see the More button, tap the More button, then tap Remove Title or Add Title.

Edit the entry date

  1. Open the Journal app on your iPad.
  2. While composing an entry, swipe down to show the entry date and tap the date to edit it.

Delete journal entries

  1. Open the Journal app on your iPad.
  2. Choose a journal or tap All Entries.
  3. Swipe left on an entry and tap Delete.

    Deleted entries are saved for 30 days.

  4. To delete multiple entries, tap the More button at the top of the screen, tap Select Entries, select the entries you want to delete, and then tap the Delete button.

Recover journal entries

  1. Open the Journal app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Recently Deleted. You may need to tap the Toggle Sidebar button to open the sidebar.
  3. Tap the More button below the entry and then tap Recover.
  4. To recover multiple entries, tap Select, tap the entries you want to recover, and tap the Recover button.

See also

Tag: Journal
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How to write in your journal on iPad

by Emily Long

The Journal app makes it easy to capture your thoughts on everyday moments and special events. You can also get suggestions for topics to write about.

Journaling Suggestions group your outings, photos, workouts, and more, to help you remember and reflect. You can handwrite your entries with Apple Pencil, create multiple journals, start a journal entry from another app, and with Apple Intelligence, get customized writing prompts based on what you write.

Create a journal entry

  1. Open the Journal app on your iPad.
  2. Tap the Create an Entry button at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Start typing or tap the Add Drawing button and use Apple Pencil to create a handwritten entry.

Use Journaling Suggestions

To help you remember and reflect on your experiences, Journaling Suggestions intelligently group outings, workouts, photos, and more. When you’re signed in to the same Apple Account, journaling suggestions can sync from iPhone to iPad.

A screen in the Journal app showing Journaling Suggestions.

  1. Open the Journal app on your iPad.
  2. Tap the Create an Entry button at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Tap the Journaling Suggestions button.
  4. Browse the recommended suggestions or tap Recent to see suggestions sorted by date.
  5. To start a new entry with all the suggested attachments, tap the Journal Now button at the bottom-right corner of the suggestion.
  6. To preview the attachments before creating the entry, tap the suggestion. Do any of the following:
    • Browse the attachments: Swipe through the attachments.
    • Change to list view: To see the details for all attachments, tap the List View button.
    • Choose the attachments you want: Tap an attachment to select or deselect it.
  7. Tap Add to Entry to start writing or the Back button to return to the suggestions list.

To delete a suggestion, touch and hold the suggestion, then tap Remove.

Use Apple Pencil to handwrite your entries

  1. Open the Journal app on your iPad.
  2. Create a journal entry, then tap the Add Drawing button.
  3. Start writing with Apple Pencil and then do any of the following:
    • Select a different color: Tap a color on the palette.
    • Select a different tool: Swipe through the toolbar to see other tools and then tap the one you want. Tap any tool a second time to change its qualities, like the thickness or opacity of a stroke.
    • Select and transform text: Tap the Lasso button and outline the text you want to select. Drag the text to a new location or tap the More button and choose Cut, Copy, Paste, Duplicate, Refine, Copy as Text, Translate, or Straighten.
    • Change spacing between words: Select a writing tool, touch and hold between two words, and drag left or right.
    • Refine your handwriting: Tap the More button in the toolbar and turn on Auto-Refine Handwriting.
    • See spelling suggestions: Tap an underlined word to see the spelling suggestion. To use the suggestion, tap it.
    • Transcribe your handwriting into typed text as you write: Tap the Scribble tool, then start writing.

Use Writing Prompts while you write

Journal can use Apple Intelligence to suggest customized writing prompts that draw on what you write, plus any photos or drawings you add to your entry; read our guide, Turn Writing Prompts on or off.

Note: Apple Intelligence on iPadOS 27 or later is available on an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPad mini (A17 Pro) and iPad models with M1 or later. Apple Intelligence is not available in all languages or regions. Usage limits may apply.* You must be an adult to use this feature.

  1. Open the Journal app on your iPad.
  2. While composing an entry, tap the Show Writing Prompts button in the toolbar.
  3. Swipe through the prompts. Then tap a prompt to add it to your entry. You can add up to three prompts to an entry.

Create multiple journals

  1. Open the Journal app on your iPad.
  2. Tap the New Journal button in the sidebar above All Entries. Name the new journal.
  3. To reorder journals, touch and hold the journal name and drag up or down.
  4. To edit the journal name, color, or icon, touch and hold the journal. Choose Edit Journal.

Take action from the Home Screen

  1. On the iPad Home Screen, touch and hold the Journal app.
  2. Choose Record Audio, Add Photos, View Suggestions, or New Entry.

Start a journal entry from another app

Even while you’re doing something in another app, like listening to a song in Music or reading an article in News, a new journal entry can quickly capture your thoughts.

  1. In the app you’re using, tap the Share button or Share. Tap Journal.

    If you don’t see Journal, you may need to customize the app’s sharing options.

  2. Enter your thoughts, then tap the Done button.

Later, in the Journal app, you can review your entry and add more details. See our article, Edit a journal entry.

*Apple Intelligence is available with Siri and device language set to Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, or Vietnamese. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. Some devices may not be available in all regions. Siri AI is available in beta in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27 and requires an Apple Intelligence–enabled device set to a supported language. Available in English to start. Siri AI will not be initially available in the EU on iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. Certain Apple Intelligence features that rely on server-side models are subject to daily usage limits, including but not limited to Siri AI, Intelligent Photo Editing Tools, Image Playground, and AFM 3 Cloud models in Shortcuts. Daily limits may vary by feature, request complexity, system demand, system policies, and other factors. Expanded access to such features will be available for a fee in the future. Use of these features is subject to the Apple Intelligence Terms and Conditions.

See also

Tags: Apple Intelligence, Journal
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