The new Siri in iOS 27, officially named Siri AI, takes a few things to get running. You need an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone, which means an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 model or later. You also need iOS 27 itself, your device language set to English, and a confirmed spot off the waitlist Apple is using to roll the assistant out during the beta period.
Know where things stand before installing anything. Apple announced iOS 27 at WWDC on June 8, 2026, and right now it exists only as a developer beta. Apple says a public beta arrives next month through the Apple Beta Software Program at beta.apple.com, and the finished version ships as a free software update this fall. Beta software brings bugs, battery drain, and app compatibility problems, and every Siri AI behavior described below can change before release, so back up your iPhone first.
What the New Siri Actually Does
Apple calls Siri AI "a profoundly more capable and conversational assistant with personal context understanding, broad world knowledge, and onscreen awareness." In plain terms, it answers questions from the web on virtually any topic, holds a natural back and forth conversation, and lets you either type or talk.
It also works with your own data, pulling personal details from your messages, emails, and photos, and it performs systemwide actions in your apps. Apple's WWDC session materials confirm it can edit and write emails, texts, and documents conversationally, and even update compromised passwords with just a tap.
One detail is worth getting right. Apple announced at the keynote that the next generation of Apple Foundation Models was co-created with Google using the technology behind the Gemini family of models. That does not mean Siri runs on the consumer Gemini product. Craig Federighi has explained that Apple uses none of the models Google deploys to its own customers, and the new models run on-device and on Apple's Private Cloud Compute.
Check That Your iPhone Makes the Cut
Siri AI has a much higher hardware floor than iOS 27 itself. Apple lists Apple Intelligence and Siri AI as available on iPhone 16 models or later, plus the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. On other platforms the requirements are iPad mini (A17 Pro), iPad models with M1 or later, MacBook Neo (A18 Pro), Mac with M1 or later, Apple Vision Pro, Apple Watch Series 9 or later, Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later, and Apple Watch SE 3 when paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone nearby.
iOS 27 on its own is far more forgiving. The update supports iPhone 11 and later, along with iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later, which is the same compatibility floor as iOS 26. If you own an older supported iPhone, you still get iOS 27 this fall, just without the new assistant.
Install iOS 27 and Get on the Waitlist
Here is the full path from a stock iPhone to an active Siri AI conversation. Step 4 reflects behavior observed in the first developer beta, so the wording may shift in later builds.
- 1.Confirm your hardware. You need an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 model or later for Siri AI to appear at all.
- 2.Install iOS 27. The developer beta has been available since June 8, 2026 through the Apple Developer Program at developer.apple.com. The public beta comes through the Apple Beta Software Program at beta.apple.com, currently listed as coming soon. Once you are enrolled, the build appears under Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates.
- 3.Set your device language to English. Apple says Siri AI is available in English to start and requires an Apple Intelligence-enabled device set to a supported language, with more languages coming quickly after launch.
- 4.Join the waitlist. In the first developer beta, open Settings and head to the Siri section. Some early reports point to the Apple Intelligence section instead, so check there if you do not see it. Tap Try New Siri, then Join Waitlist, and follow the prompts. Apple notifies you when New Siri is available for your iPhone, and there is no published timeline for how long that takes.
- 5.Start your first conversation. Say "Hey Siri," hold the side button, or swipe down from the Dynamic Island to begin.
Talk, Type, and Swipe Through a Conversation
You can swipe down from the Dynamic Island to start a conversation, hold the side button, or simply say "Hey Siri." Speak naturally or type your request instead.
Early beta testing shows responses appearing in that same top center area of the display, and swiping on a response opens follow-up questions so you can keep refining a request. This is beta behavior, and the interface may look different by fall.
The assistant goes beyond iPhone too. On iPad and Mac it is integrated with Spotlight, and on Mac you can control-click an image, file, or text to ask about it. It also works on Apple Vision Pro by looking and speaking, on Apple Watch from the wrist, and inside CarPlay.
Use Onscreen Awareness and Personal Context
Onscreen awareness means you can ask about whatever is on your display without copying and pasting. Apple's example runs from getting a text about a potluck, to brainstorming what to bring, to adding a recipe to Notes, all in one conversation.
Personal context turns Siri AI into a search engine for your own life. Ask it to find the restaurant a friend messaged you about, dig up a hotel confirmation number from an old email, or gather photos from a recent trip. It searches across messages, emails, photos, and more.
The assistant also takes systemwide actions in your apps. Apple's own examples are drafting an email from scratch and editing and sharing a set of photos, and the WWDC session description adds editing and writing emails, texts, and documents through conversation.
Try the Siri App, Camera Mode, and Voice Settings
iOS 27 includes a dedicated Siri app that works like a chat history hub. It lets you revisit a past conversation or start a new one, and early reports say you can pin the conversations you care about. The app uses iCloud to privately sync your conversation history, so a chat you start on your Mac can continue on your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Apple Vision Pro.
There is also a Siri mode inside the Camera app. Together with Visual Intelligence, it lets you search, ask questions, and take action based on what is around you, triggered with a tap of the shutter button.
Finally, the voice itself is adjustable. You can pick a Siri voice and then customize its expressiveness and pace until it sounds the way you want.
Regional Limits, Privacy, and Beta Safety
Availability has hard edges right now. Apple says Siri AI arrives in beta later this year, in English to start. It will not initially be available in the EU on iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS, although Mac and Apple Vision Pro users in the EU can access it when their device is set to a supported language. In China, Siri AI and the other new Apple Intelligence features are on hold while Apple works through regulatory requirements.
On privacy, Apple states that "when Private Cloud Compute is handling users' requests, their personal data is not stored nor made accessible to Apple or anyone else," and that outside experts can continue to verify this privacy promise at any time.
Treat the beta with respect. Make a full backup before installing, expect rough edges in battery life and third party apps, and remember that the waitlist, settings labels, and feature behavior can all change before the fall release. If your iPhone is your daily driver, the public beta next month or the finished update this fall is the safer path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the new Siri run on Google Gemini?
No. Apple co-created its next generation of Apple Foundation Models with Google using the technology behind the Gemini family of models, but it uses none of the models Google deploys to its own customers. The new models run on-device and on Apple's Private Cloud Compute, not on the consumer Gemini product.
Which iPhones support Siri AI in iOS 27?
iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and any iPhone 16 model or later. iOS 27 itself installs on iPhone 11 and later plus iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later, but those older models do not get Siri AI.
When can I use Siri AI without installing a beta?
iOS 27 ships as a free update this fall, and Apple says Siri AI will be available in beta later this year in English. A public beta arrives next month at beta.apple.com if you want it sooner.
Is Siri AI available in the EU or China?
Not initially on iPhone. Apple says Siri AI will not initially be available in the EU on iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS, though EU users can access it on Mac and Apple Vision Pro with a supported language. It is not available in China while Apple works through regulatory requirements.
How long does the Siri AI waitlist take?
Apple has not said. You join from Settings in the beta, and Apple notifies you when New Siri is available on your iPhone, with no guaranteed wait time.
Can Siri AI see and remember my personal data?
It can search your messages, emails, and photos to answer personal questions, and the Siri app syncs conversation history through iCloud. Apple states that when Private Cloud Compute handles requests, personal data is not stored nor made accessible to Apple or anyone else.
