Millions of iPhone users get 24-hour countdown as massive free upgrade is coming

There's a massive 24 hours ahead for Apple users with the US technology firm about to hold its yearly WWDC Developers Conference. Although that might not sound very thrilling for the general public, there should be some very big announcements made that will affect anyone with an iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch or iPad.

For those not aware, WWDC is where Apple reveals all of its latest software upgrades and it's almost certain that iOS 27 will be the star of the show.

This will replace the current iOS 26 system later this year and could bring a swathe of new features, smart AI and a new look to millions of iPhone across the globe.

There's no word on exactly what will be unveiled from the firm's HQ in Cupertino, but previous years have always showcased what's coming to Apple's devices in the future.

One thing we might see is a first glimpse of the all-new Siri, which looks set to get some help from Google's smart Gemini software.

"WWDC26 will spotlight incredible updates for Apple platforms, including AI advancements and exciting new software and developer tools," Apple confirmed.

In previous years, Apple has also shown off new hardware, including MacBooks. We don't think that will be the case in 2026 but there's always a chance of some surprises, especially as this will be CEO Tim Cook's last keynote in charge before he moves to a new executive chairman role in September.

WWDC26 will begin on June 8 at 6pm BST and Mirror Online will being yoy all the news and updates as soon as they are announced.

Speaking to Mirror Online ahead of the event Paolo Pescatore said: “WWDC 2026 carries far more significance than a normal developer conference. As this is Tim Cook’s final WWDC as Apple CEO, it is as much a symbolic handover moment as a software showcase. Cook’s legacy has been built on scale, discipline, services, privacy, Apple Silicon and deep ecosystem integration. The question now is how Apple will use that foundation in the AI era.

"The pressure is clearly around Siri and Apple Intelligence. Apple does not need to win the AI race through noise, novelty or endless model comparisons. Its opportunity is to make AI feel useful, trusted, private and deeply embedded across the devices people already use every day. That is where Apple can still differentiate, but it needs to show tangible progress.

"In many ways, this could be one of the most important WWDCs in years."