At WWDC26 held at Apple headquarters on June 8, 2026, Apple announced the revamped version of the assistant called Siri AI. It combines the Apple Intelligence personal intelligence base with screen content understanding and cross-searching of personal data, allowing you to perform consistent operations across different applications.
The article provides an overview of Siri AI to the list of compatible devices, operating systems, configuration methods and examples of use in professional environments. Details are included about the period of availability and points of attention necessary to evaluate adoption in the company.
Siri AI is what
Siri AI was introduced on June 8, 2026 during WWDC26 as the new version of Siri. It positions itself as a more advanced and conversational assistant that integrates naturally with everyday applications such as messaging, email and camera.
In addition to answering questions, the assistant can make suggestions based on context and perform operations in a continuous flow. Testing for developers began on the day of the announcement and the version for general users is scheduled for the end of the year, in beta format.
Apple Intelligence forms the core
The core of Siri AI is Apple’s generative AI platform called Apple Intelligence, built specifically for it. Processing occurs by combining Apple Foundation Models running on the device with privacy-protecting Private Cloud Compute. The idea is to access Apple Intelligence capabilities through the Siri interface.
Main evolutions compared to the previous Siri and characteristics
From a professional use point of view, the main advances over the previous version of Siri that deserve attention are these five:
- Understanding personal context
- System-wide application actions (operations that cross apps)
- Synchronization via iCloud of conversation history in the dedicated app
- On-screen recognition
- Instant calling with “Hey Siri”
Understanding personal context
The assistant has the ability to understand personal context (individual context). It performs cross-sectional searches on accumulated user data, such as messages, emails and photos, to extract the information needed at the moment.
For example, it is possible to locate a store recommended by a friend in an old message or recover a hotel reservation number lost in an old email, all with just text. Instead of requiring exact keyword matching, it follows the context until it reaches the desired data. Integration with Spotlight also allows cross-sectional searches that include external applications.
System-wide application actions
The Systemwide App Actions feature allows you to operate across different applications. In addition to answering questions, the assistant performs complete sequences of tasks involving several apps. What once required manually switching between applications can now be delegated through dialogue.
In the workplace this translates into greater efficiency when composing emails from scratch or batch editing and sharing photos.
Dedicated app and chat history sync via iCloud
The dedicated app stores past interactions. Chat history syncs across devices via iCloud, allowing you to continue a conversation you started on your Mac on your iPhone or Apple Watch while you’re on the go.
For those who use PCs and mobile devices at work, this makes it easier to continue with tasks. Apple highlights that synchronization respects the company’s privacy principles.
On-screen recognition
The on-screen recognition function allows you to ask questions about the content displayed on the display. For example, when seeing text or an image on the screen, the user can ask “explain this word” or “create an event with this content” and the assistant responds or acts considering the visual context.
As the starting point is what is currently on the screen, there is no need to copy and paste or switch applications.
Instant calling with “Hey Siri”
Activation methods have diversified. In addition to saying “Hey Siri”, each device offers the most convenient way. On the iPhone, you can use the side button or swipe down on Dynamic Island to start the conversation.
On iPad and Mac, Spotlight also integrates Siri AI, allowing you to start directly from the search bar. In Apple Vision Pro, simply look at 3D content and speak. The advantage is being able to use the assistant as a natural extension of your usual operations without having to open a dedicated app.
List of supported devices and operating systems
It is important to check which devices and operating systems support Siri AI. Note that the set of devices running iOS 27 and similar does not completely match those running Siri AI.
List of Compatible Devices (iPhone/iPad/Mac/Watch)
Currently, the supported devices are as follows:
- iPhone: entire iPhone 16 series and later, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPad: iPad mini with A17 Pro and iPads with M1 chip or higher
- Mac: Macs with M1 chip or higher
- Apple Watch: Series 10 and later, Ultra 2 and later, SE 3 (with paired Apple Intelligence compatible iPhone)
- Apple Vision Pro: compatible
Some features such as more expressive voice and high-precision audio input require newer devices with at least 12 GB of unified memory, such as the iPhone 17 Pro.
Unsupported devices
Devices outside the list above are basically incompatible. This includes the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, as well as the entire iPhone 14 lineup and earlier. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are compatible, but the standard models are not.
Even with iOS 27 installed, Siri AI will not be available. On iPads and Macs, models with a chip prior to the A17 Pro or M1 are also left out.
Supported operating systems
Systems that support Siri AI are:
- iOS 27
- iPadOS 27
- macOS 27
- watchOS 27
- visionOS 27
All will be offered as free updates for compatible devices. The version for Apple Watch should arrive a little later than on other systems.
When will it be available? Release period
Developers have had access since June 8, 2026, the day of WWDC26. The final versions of the operating systems (iOS 27 and similar) should arrive in the fall (around September, following the annual pattern) as free updates for compatible devices.
The operating systems will support multiple languages, including Japanese. However, Siri AI functions should begin prioritizing users with an English setting and gradually expand to other languages, such as Japanese.
How to Enable Apple Intelligence/Siri AI
First enable Apple Intelligence. The basic flow is:
- Open the Settings app
- Go to “Apple Intelligence & Siri” and turn on Apple Intelligence
In addition, you must have a compatible device, configure the supported language (initially English) and be in an eligible region. Once these conditions are met, the models can be downloaded.
How to disable
To deactivate, simply go back to “Apple Intelligence & Siri” and turn off Apple Intelligence. This prevents the use of related features, frees up space occupied by downloaded templates, and reduces battery consumption.
What to do when you don’t show up or don’t respond
If Siri AI doesn’t appear or respond, check your settings first. Confirm that the device is compatible, that the system is up to date, that the region is supported and that the system language is configured correctly (English).
Most problems come from one of these conditions not being met. Also checking Siri voice and language settings and network connection helps to resolve.
Screen recognition and camera Siri mode
You can ask to summarize part of a document or web page displayed on the screen or create an event from it, without the need to copy and paste. Works with specific selection on Mac, screenshot on iPad, or content viewed by eye on Apple Vision Pro.
Additionally, the iPhone has a new Siri mode on the camera. When taking the photo, the assistant recognizes what is in front of you and takes actions or obtains information automatically. This is useful in the field for quickly identifying equipment or documents.
Cross-search emails and photos with contextual suggestions
The assistant searches for necessary information by going through emails, messages and photos based on context. It also offers suggestions in line with previous conversations. This reduces the time spent finding conditions in contract emails or retrieving old documents from partial keywords.
When developers integrate with Spotlight, the search can even cover the company’s internal applications, further increasing efficiency.
Automatic operations that cross applications
Tasks that involve multiple applications are performed sequentially using text instructions. Manual routines that required switching between apps can now be completed in a unified way. An example is reading a received message, writing a draft response and recording the necessary commitment.
The company’s own applications can also be integrated via App Intents to become targets for Siri commands.
Search, summary and organization of agendas
You can ask about information that changes depending on date or location and deepen the conversation with additional questions. When creating documents, integrated writing tools help from drafting to review.
Simply describe what you want to generate an outline and then adjust the writing. Combined with the Maps app, it makes it easier to create visiting itineraries.
Differences between Siri AI and ChatGPT/Gemini apps
Many people see Siri AI as another chatbot like ChatGPT or Gemini, but its position is different. The following is the comparison of roles, performance and practical usage guidance.
Role and performance differences
| Item | Siri AI | ChatGPT / Gemini App |
|---|---|---|
| Positioning | Assistant integrated into the operating system | Autonomous chatbot |
| Strengths | Cross-search of personal data and operation of devices/apps | Text generation and specialized dialogue |
| Data integration | Pattern with messages, photos and apps | Basically autonomous within the app |
| Activation | System-wide (“Hey Siri”, side button, Spotlight, etc.) | Requires opening the app |
Siri AI acts as an integrated everyday assistant, connected to personal context and device operations. The ChatGPT and Gemini apps stand out as general chatbots, with strength in advanced content generation and specialized dialogues.
Guidance for combined use
For tasks that involve device operation or integration with personal data, Siri AI is the preferred choice, such as searching for information in email, retrieving photos or performing actions that cross apps within the Apple ecosystem.