Apple used WWDC 2026 to announce its most significant rework of Siri since the assistant launched in 2011. Branded "Siri AI," the revamped system is not an incremental update — it is a rebuilt product with a new conversational architecture, a dedicated standalone app, and deeper integration across the Apple ecosystem.
What Is New
The central improvement is multi-turn conversation support. Where the previous Siri lost context after each query, the new version holds the thread of a conversation and lets users ask follow-up questions without restating background. Siri AI can now pull information from Messages, Mail, Photos, Maps, and third-party apps to give contextual, personalized responses.
It is built on next-generation Apple Foundation Models running both on-device and through Private Cloud Compute. Apple says that data handled in the cloud is not stored or made accessible to the company or third parties.
Writing Tools and Visual Intelligence
Writing Tools let Siri draft, refine, or proofread text in any app — including third-party apps — and can adjust tone and punctuation to match how a user typically writes to a specific recipient. Apple demonstrated automatic switching between professional and casual registers.
Visual Intelligence, previously an iPhone-exclusive feature, now extends to iPad via screenshot analysis and to Mac via a dedicated keyboard shortcut. Apple Vision Pro gets a 3D visual query mode activated by looking and speaking. Apple Watch gains wrist-based conversations and contextual Smart Stack suggestions driven by Siri context.
Standalone App and Cross-Device History
A new dedicated Siri app centralizes conversation history, synced via iCloud across all of a user's Apple devices. A conversation started on iPhone can be picked up on Mac without losing context.
Availability
Developer beta access is now live across iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, and visionOS 27, though access to the new Siri experience requires joining a waitlist. A public beta is expected in July, with general availability shipping alongside iOS 27 this September.
Compatible hardware: iPhone 16 and later, iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max; M1 and newer iPads and Macs; Apple Watch Series 10 and later.
Not available at launch in: the European Union or China.
Sources:
