Apple is preparing a fundamental overhaul of Siri. The voice assistant is set to gradually evolve into a fully-fledged AI chatbot in upcoming system versions. While Siri is currently used primarily for simple commands and short answers, Apple plans a significant leap in functionality with iOS 27. The goal is to make Siri competitive with modern chatbots used for research, text editing, programming, and organization.
Apple has long refrained from offering a traditional chatbot. Instead, the focus has been on AI features seamlessly integrated into apps and systems. However, this strategy is increasingly reaching its limits. Chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are used by millions of people daily and have become the central interface for many when dealing with information. Apple is responding to this with a comprehensive technical and conceptual overhaul of Siri.
Apple's Siri timeline
Apple is planning two major development steps. The first will be with iOS 26.4, the second with iOS 27.
iOS 26.4 introduces a new version of Siri based on large language models. Internally, this variant is often referred to as "LLM Siri." It brings noticeable improvements in speech, contextual understanding, and personalization, but still falls short of a full-fledged chatbot.
The actual Siri chatbot is planned for iOS 27. If the current schedule remains unchanged, Apple will unveil this version at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June. After an extended beta phase, the public launch is expected in September.
Siri today and Siri as a chatbot
Siri's current functionality is limited. The assistant can answer individual questions, set timers, or control simple system functions. Ongoing conversations, complex tasks, or multi-step requests are hardly possible.
The chatbot upgrade aims to fundamentally change this. Siri will be able to respond contextually, continue conversations, and even take on complex tasks. Its behavior is modeled on modern AI chatbots that not only provide answers but also actively assist in problem-solving.
Apple had not originally planned to offer an open chatbot. However, the widespread adoption of such services and changing user habits have rendered this stance obsolete.
System-level integration
Siri will not be a traditional app in the future either. The assistant will remain deeply integrated into iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. It will still be activated by voice command or via the side button of a device. What's new is that Siri will support both voice and text input equally.
The exact appearance of the user interface is still unknown. However, it's clear that Apple will have to expand Siri's current minimalist design. Users expect conversation histories, contextual displays, and the ability to upload and analyze files or images. Whether this will be achieved through a dedicated chat interface or a system-wide solution is not yet known.
Planned features of the Siri chatbot
The Siri chatbot is intended to cover all the fundamental capabilities of modern AI systems and combine them with deep system integration. Planned features include:
- Research and information search on the Internet
- Creation of texts, images and other content
- Summary of documents and websites
- Analysis of uploaded files
- Use of personal data for task completion
- Access to content from emails, messages, photos and files
- Analysis of screen content and open windows
- Control of device settings and system functions
- Device search and possible replacement of Spotlight
Additionally, Siri is tightly integrated with Apple's core apps, including Mail, Messages, Photos, Apple TV, and Xcode. Siri can search for images, edit photos, assist with programming, provide media recommendations, and send emails.
iOS 26.4: LLM Siri without chatbot interface
The version in iOS 26.4 forms the technical basis for the later chatbot, but remains functionally limited.
Personal context
Siri can take information from emails, messages, files, and photos into account. This allows users to easily find specific content, such as recommended books, shared recipes, or particular documents. Siri learns connections and remembers who shared which content.
Screen perception
Siri recognizes what is displayed on the screen and can react accordingly. Addresses from messages can be added directly to contacts, and photos can be forwarded from the current view.
Deeper app integration
Siri can perform actions across multiple apps. Files can be moved, photos edited and sent, or directions including arrival time provided. Even pre-written emails can be sent automatically.
A chat-like interface is not yet planned for iOS 26.4. Nevertheless, Siri is expected to feel significantly more powerful than before.
New design for Siri
Alongside the functional enhancements, Apple is working on a visual overhaul of Siri. For a desktop robot currently under development, Apple is testing an animated Siri interface reminiscent of the Mac's Finder logo. This more personalized design could also be rolled out to other devices with iOS 27.
Storage and memory function
Modern chatbots store past conversations to better understand users. Apple is currently discussing how extensive this memory feature should be for Siri. It's possible that the storage will be deliberately limited to better protect data privacy than competing services.
Name and brand strategy
Despite the comprehensive overhaul, Apple is expected to retain the name Siri. Instead of a new brand, a significantly more intelligent version of the existing assistant is expected to be created.
Technical basis and server infrastructure
Apple works closely with Google. The underlying AI models are based on Gemini technology. A specially adapted model, comparable to Gemini 3 according to internal assessments, is used for iOS 26.4 and the later Siri chatbot.
Initially, requests will be processed via Google's servers, which are equipped with Tensor Processing Units. Apple currently lacks sufficient infrastructure of its own to handle the anticipated load. Long-term plans include transitioning to its own AI models or integrating regional partners, for example, for the Chinese market.
Platforms
The Siri chatbot will be a key new feature in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27. Integration is planned for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. A later expansion to visionOS and tvOS is considered likely.
Costs and business model
Whether the Siri chatbot will become a paid service is still undecided. However, it's clear that operating it incurs high cloud costs. Apple alone pays around one billion US dollars per year for access to Google's cloud services. A model with a free basic version and optional extended features, similar to Google Gemini, is conceivable.
Outlook and start date
Apple plans to unveil its chatbot capabilities at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Based on internal experiences with delays in previous AI features, the company intends to showcase new features only when they are ready for deployment. The public launch of the Siri chatbot is currently expected in September, alongside the final versions of the new operating systems.
- iOS 26.4 is on its way: Here's what's included in the next update
- Apple under pressure: Why Siri as a chatbot could cost money
iOS 27: Apple turns Siri into a true AI chatbot
With iOS 27, Siri is undergoing its biggest transformation since its introduction. Apple is evolving the assistant from a simple voice tool into a comprehensive AI chatbot deeply integrated into the entire system. The combination of personalization, app integration, and powerful AI technology is intended to make Siri relevant again in the long term and strengthen Apple's position in the AI market. The best products for you: Our Amazon storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those for HomeKit. (Image: Shutterstock / Tatiana Diuvbanova)
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