We know that Siri will receive a major AI-powered overhaul with the upcoming iOS 26.4 update this spring, fulfilling the vision for the voice assistant that Apple showcased at WWDC 2024 last year. This is the prevailing news at the time of writing, and while nothing is entirely certain—Apple can always delay new AI features as it has done before—a report from MacRumors reveals a surprise coming soon for iPhone users.
The report indicates that some users will be able to replace Siri with a different voice assistant, including Gemini, currently the most powerful AI tool, once iOS 26.2 is released. While this may seem like good news, the feature won't be available globally, as it's subject to two main conditions. These conditions impose strict limitations, making the feature exclusive to a specific group of users.
FirstThe possibility of replacing “Siri” with another assistant is limited to Japan only, as Apple is forced to comply with new regulations that compel smartphone manufacturers to open their devices to competing services.
SecondiPhone users in Japan who wish to switch from Siri to Gemini or another voice assistant cannot simply do so by changing a setting in Settings. App developers will need to enable this functionality; for Gemini, Google will have to build this new capability into one of its existing apps. This is the only way to make a voice assistant like Gemini the default on the iPhone.
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Early indications from the third beta version of iOS 26.2 suggest that Apple is preparing to support third-party voice assistants in Japan. This feature will be linked to the Side Button, the button used to activate Siri by pressing and holding it.
After the final release of iOS 26.2, app developers will be able to offer consumers a different voice assistant to be the new default. Whether the choice is Google's Gemini or another, the alternative will be accessed via the same gesture: a long press on the side button.
Apple has published support documentation explaining that only users in Japan will be able to set up a new virtual voice assistant, stating: “In Japan, people may customize an action on the iPhone side button that immediately launches your voice chat application.”
Operating restrictions and legal context
It is clear that users will not be able to use voice commands such as “Hey Siri” to summon the external assistant, and it is also unclear whether “Siri” can be accessed by voice if an external assistant such as Gemini is linked to the side button.
MacRumors notes that Japan’s “Mobile Software Competition Act” requires Apple to open up key iPhone features to third parties, including voice assistants.
The legislation stipulates that companies like Apple cannot grant preferential treatment to their own services regarding access to the virtual assistant. Since the new rules took effect in December, Apple added this functionality in iOS 26.2.
This new feature isn't entirely unexpected; in May, a Bloomberg report indicated that iPhone users in the European Union might be able to replace Siri with a third-party assistant. The EU was the first to compel Apple to open up core iPhone features to increase competition. However, Siri remains the default voice assistant on iPhones in Europe at the time of writing.
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