WWDC 2026 kicks off June 8, and Apple is preparing the biggest overhaul of Siri since its debut in 2011. The assistant is getting rebuilt as a standalone chatbot app with Google's Gemini AI under the hood, multiple sources confirm.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports iOS 27 will include a chatbot version of Siri that operates like ChatGPT and Gemini. Conversations will appear in an iMessage-style view with chat bubbles, and users can search past chats within the dedicated Siri app. The app syncs across iCloud devices.
"The goal is to transform the technology from a traditional voice assistant into a systemwide AI agent with deep integration across applications," Gurman reported.
Apple confirmed in January it will use Google's Gemini AI to power a more personalized Siri. The two companies said in a joint statement that "Google's AI technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models." Apple isn't fully outsourcing its AI efforts -- Gemini acts as the backbone for Apple Intelligence while Apple develops its own models on top.
Users reportedly won't be locked into one AI system. Gurman says iOS 27 will let users choose between AI services like Gemini, ChatGPT, or Claude for features like Writing Tools and Image Playground.
Siri's visual identity is also changing. Reports say Apple is testing a design that places Siri within the Dynamic Island instead of the full-screen edge glow on current iPhones. A swipe down opens a full chatbot interface. A "Searching" label appears during queries, then expands into a translucent window using the Liquid Glass design introduced in iOS 26.
New system-level Siri functions include an "Ask Siri" toggle in built-in apps and a "Write with Siri" option that pulls up Writing Tools for text generation.
Which iPhones get iOS 27
iOS 27 will drop support for the iPhone 11 series and iPhone SE (2nd generation), meaning iPhone 12 and newer models will be eligible. But the most demanding Apple Intelligence features -- including the full Siri overhaul -- require iPhone 15 Pro or newer, according to reports.
Beyond Siri: Camera, Calendar, and bill splitting
Apple is making the Camera app more customizable, letting users choose which controls for flash, exposure, timer, and resolution appear and where they're placed. A new bill-splitting feature lets users photograph a receipt, assign items to people, and generate payment requests. The Calendar and Health apps are getting AI upgrades, though details remain sparse. Apple is also adding support for AirPlay alternatives to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act, potentially allowing Google Cast and other third-party services as defaults. The Wallet app could gain the ability to scan physical tickets and membership cards to create digital passes automatically.
When to expect iOS 27
Apple previews iOS 27 at WWDC on June 8, followed by a months-long beta cycle. The public release typically arrives in September alongside new iPhone hardware, expected to be the iPhone 18 series this year.
Apple already seeded the first iOS 26.6 beta to developers this week, containing no significant new features as the company shifts focus to the iOS 27 cycle. The key new feature in iOS 27 remains the dedicated Siri app, per MacRumors.
