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Apple on Monday released the iOS 27 public beta, opening its most significant Siri overhaul in a decade to everyday users for the first time. The update, which had been limited to registered developers since Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June, gives roughly 2.5 billion active Apple device owners a chance to test the AI-powered assistant before its official launch this fall.
What the new Siri can do
The revamped Siri moves beyond setting timers and checking weather. It can now retrieve information from a user’s device — including emails, photos, and messages — and respond to what’s displayed on the screen. For example, it can find a specific photo in your library, summarize a group text, or add an appointment mentioned in a message to your calendar. It also draws on world knowledge, similar to ChatGPT or Google Gemini, to answer questions that previously required a web search.
Also read: Apple in talks to pay publishers for news content to power Siri AI: report
Users can activate Siri by saying “Hey Siri,” pressing the side button, or swiping down from the Dynamic Island. The assistant is also integrated into Spotlight, Apple’s built-in search tool, making it accessible from the home screen without opening any app.
For the first time, Siri has its own standalone app, a design choice that may appeal to users already comfortable with chatbot interfaces. However, given Siri’s deep integration across the operating system, the app feels somewhat redundant in practice.
Also read: Tim Cook Signals Siri AI May Require Paid iCloud+ Tier for Power Users
How Apple built it
Under the hood, Siri AI runs on Apple Intelligence, which includes Apple’s Foundation Models. These models were built in collaboration with Google, using a process called distillation — where Google’s Gemini model helps create smaller, highly efficient models optimized for Apple Silicon. The result is not a rebranded Gemini, but a custom system trained on proprietary Apple data.
Privacy is handled through Private Cloud Compute, which ensures that personal data processed in the cloud is not stored or accessible to Apple. On-device processing handles many requests entirely locally.
Early impressions and stability
In early tests of the developer beta, the new Siri handled basic tasks well — finding photos, summarizing texts, and answering factual questions. It stumbled occasionally, such as when it misinterpreted a request for news about Iran as a search for a contact named “Iran.” But overall, the developer betas this year have been notably stable, making the public beta easier to recommend than in previous years.
Still, installing a beta carries risk. Users who rely on their device running flawlessly should wait for the final release in September.
The upgraded Siri is available across all Apple product lines, including iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, CarPlay, AirPods, Apple TV, and Vision Pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will iOS 27 be released to the public?
The final public release of iOS 27 is expected in September, following the public beta period that started in late June.
What devices support the new Siri AI?
The upgraded Siri is available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, CarPlay, AirPods, Apple TV, and Vision Pro running the iOS 27 beta or later.
How is Apple protecting user privacy with the new Siri?
Apple uses Private Cloud Compute to process requests, ensuring that personal data is not stored or accessible to Apple. The on-device Foundation Models also handle many tasks locally.