{"id":23679,"date":"2026-09-16T15:15:29","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T14:15:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/?p=23679"},"modified":"2026-09-16T15:34:36","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T14:34:36","slug":"spark-gets-a-proper-ios-27-upgrade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/2026\/09\/16\/spark-gets-a-proper-ios-27-upgrade\/","title":{"rendered":"Spark Gets a Proper iOS 27 Upgrade"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.arronhirst.com\/?app=997102246\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spark Mail<\/a> has just picked up its <strong>iOS 27<\/strong> <strong>update<\/strong>, and this one feels like more than a quick compatibility bump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">The popular email app is taking advantage of some of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/2026\/09\/13\/ios-27-arrives-tomorrow-heres-everything-coming-to-your-iphone\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the bigger changes in iOS 27<\/a>, particularly the new Siri capabilities, to make it possible to do quite a bit more without actually opening <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.arronhirst.com\/?app=997102246\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spark<\/a> and poking around your inbox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">And honestly, email is probably one of the places where that makes the most sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Siri can finally see what you\u2019re looking at<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">One of the biggest changes is the way <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.arronhirst.com\/?app=997102246\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spark<\/a> now works with <strong><em>Siri<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"867\" height=\"637\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/img_1065.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23675\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/img_1065.jpeg 867w, https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/img_1065-300x220.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/img_1065-768x564.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 867px) 100vw, 867px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">Previously, Siri could trigger certain <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.arronhirst.com\/?app=997102246\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spark<\/a> actions, but it didn\u2019t really understand the context of what was happening inside the app. With iOS 27, that\u2019s changing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">Siri can now understand the message or inbox row you\u2019re looking at in <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.arronhirst.com\/?app=997102246\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spark<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">So you can say things like <strong>\u201csummarize this email thread\u201d<\/strong> and Siri can pull out the important bits \u2014 including who\u2019s involved, what\u2019s been said and what\u2019s still waiting to be resolved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/img_1063-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23676\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/img_1063-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/img_1063-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/img_1063-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/img_1063-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/img_1063.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">You can also give much more natural commands based on what\u2019s currently on screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cArchive this one.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cDelete the one from Marcus.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cWho else is on this thread?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.arronhirst.com\/?app=997102246\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spark<\/a> can now understand what you\u2019re referring to rather than making you spell everything out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Your inbox, completely hands-free<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">The Siri integration goes beyond reading emails, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p3 wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.arronhirst.com\/?app=997102246\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spark<\/a> says you can now use your voice to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Archive emails<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Delete messages<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mark messages as read<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pin messages<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Flag messages as junk<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Summarize conversations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reply to emails<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reply all<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Forward messages<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">That means you can deal with a surprisingly large chunk of your inbox without touching the screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">And because Siri understands the message you\u2019re currently viewing, you don\u2019t necessarily have to tell it exactly which email you\u2019re talking about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s a small change on paper, but it makes <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.arronhirst.com\/?app=997102246\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spark<\/a> feel much more like part of iOS rather than an app sitting separately from it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>You can reply without typing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.arronhirst.com\/?app=997102246\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spark<\/a> is also leaning into<strong><em> voice replies<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">You can dictate a response to an email, ask Siri to reply, reply all or forward the message, with Spark handling the correct account and conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">That could be particularly handy when you\u2019re driving, walking around the house, or simply don\u2019t fancy typing out another \u201cThanks, sounds good!\u201d email.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Spark Calendar joins the party<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s another pretty big addition hiding in the update: <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.arronhirst.com\/?app=997102246\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spark<\/a>\u2019s calendar is now exposed to <strong>Siri, Shortcuts and Spotlight<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/img_1064-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23677\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/img_1064-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/img_1064-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/img_1064-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/img_1064-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/img_1064.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">That means you can create, change and delete <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.arronhirst.com\/?app=997102246\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spark<\/a> Calendar events without opening Spark itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p4 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cSchedule a call with the team tomorrow at 2pm.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">Or:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p4 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cMove my 3pm to 4.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">Or even:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p4 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cCancel Friday\u2019s standup.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.arronhirst.com\/?app=997102246\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spark<\/a> says those actions can now be handled directly through Apple\u2019s system-level features, with calendar invites sent where appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s a much more integrated approach than simply adding another set of Siri commands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Spark adapts to iOS 27\u2019s new layouts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">The update also prepares <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.arronhirst.com\/?app=997102246\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spark<\/a> for iOS 27\u2019s more flexible windowing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">Apple now allows iPhone Mirroring on the Mac to be resized into different shapes and aspect ratios, rather than keeping everything locked to a fixed phone-shaped window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.arronhirst.com\/?app=997102246\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spark<\/a>\u2019s interface now adapts to those different sizes, meaning the app should remain comfortable to use instead of simply stretching everything until it looks a bit weird.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s one of those changes you might not notice immediately \u2014 which is probably a good thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A surprisingly big Spark update<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">What I like about this update is that <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.arronhirst.com\/?app=997102246\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spark<\/a> isn\u2019t trying to reinvent email.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">Instead, it\u2019s taking the things iOS 27 is already making better \u2014 Siri, Shortcuts, Spotlight and flexible layouts \u2014 and making <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.arronhirst.com\/?app=997102246\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spark<\/a> play nicely with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"836\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/img_1066-836x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23678\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/img_1066-836x1024.jpeg 836w, https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/img_1066-245x300.jpeg 245w, https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/img_1066-768x941.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/img_1066-1253x1536.jpeg 1253w, https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/img_1066.jpeg 1260w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 836px) 100vw, 836px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">The result is an email app that can do considerably more without demanding that you constantly open it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p2 wp-block-paragraph\">And if you\u2019re already using <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.arronhirst.com\/?app=997102246\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spark<\/a>, this feels like one of those updates worth installing simply to see how much of your inbox Siri can now handle for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p5 wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.arronhirst.com\/?app=997102246\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spark\u2019s iOS 27 update<\/a> is <strong>available now<\/strong> \u2014 with the more advanced Siri on-screen awareness requiring <a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/121115\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a compatible Apple Intelligence device<\/a> and supported language\/region.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Spark Mail has just picked up its iOS 27 update, and this one feels like more than a quick compatibility bump.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2786,174,16],"tags":[3715,2865,2636,3375,3610,3507,3501,3548,32,3755,3756,618,1184],"class_list":["post-23679","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-apple-blog","category-blog","category-iphone","tag-apple-intelligence","tag-email","tag-inbox","tag-ios","tag-ios-27","tag-ipad","tag-iphone","tag-siri","tag-software","tag-spark","tag-spark-mail","tag-update","tag-voice"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23679","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23679"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23679\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23687,"href":"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23679\/revisions\/23687"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23679"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23679"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23679"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}