Among all the big and small iOS 26 features expected next week, there’s one rumored change that we’re unlikely to hear about from Apple: the ability to replace Siri. That’s because this ‘nuclear option’ is being mandated against Apple’s will, and will be limited in reach—at least for now.
Replacing Siri might soon be an option for certain iOS 26 users
Recently, in a broad piece covering the state of AI at Apple, we received word on a big change in the works.
Mark Gurman and Drake Bennett write at Bloomberg:
To meet expected European Union regulations, the company is now working on changing its operating systems so that, for the first time, users can switch from Siri as their default voice assistant to third-party options, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.
This won’t be the first time EU users get access to a new iOS option the rest of the world lacks.
In iOS 18.4, for example, Apple enabled setting a default navigation app for your iPhone. This means Google Maps can replace Apple Maps as the default.
But the change is currently only in the EU.
Similarly, while iOS 26 is expected to add several new third-party Siri integrations, they will work a lot like last year’s ChatGPT addition.
In short, they’ll complement Siri, but won’t be able to replace it.
All indications are that the ability to fully replace Siri in iOS 26 will be limited to the EU.
But it’s not entirely impossible for the change to spread to the US and elsewhere. Here’s why it might.
Why Apple might expand assistant choice globally
I’m overall skeptical about Apple providing a ‘default assistant’ option for users outside the EU. I don’t think it’s going to happen.
But there are several good reasons why it might, including:
- Regulatory issues
- Revenue opportunities
- Rarity of default changes
The EU is certainly Apple’s biggest “problem area” when it comes to regulatory issues. But the tech giant faces similar threats all around the world, including its home base of the US.
By enabling iPhone users everywhere to choose their own assistant, Apple could preempt legal action that might force even larger changes the company won’t want to make.
There’s also the opportunity of new services revenue.
It’s well known how lucrative Apple’s search deal with Google has been.
If Apple opens iOS 26 up to alternative assistants, it could strike deals that would provide ongoing revenue when users choose ChatGPT, Gemini, or some other AI assistant instead of Siri.
Top comment by Javier
If I were Apple, I would make this change worldwide and proudly announce it at WWDC. Giving the option to fully replace Siri with the other options available would greatly reduce the pressure they currently have plus protect the cash cow that is the iPhone as it would maintain its relevancy as the main "AI device". Not doing so opens the door for people to explore alternatives (existing and to be invented).
Those who value privacy above all else can keep Siri as the default and wait for Apple to release whatever the "improved" Siri will be.
Finally, there’s the important reality that, among the iPhone’s billions of users, only a small percentage are likely to care enough—and be tech savvy enough—to make the switch away from Siri.
Only Apple knows how many iOS users have switched default apps for mail, messaging, and more. But I’d bet the number is minuscule.
After Apple has already worked to make iOS 26 support replacing Siri in the EU, these three reasons to expand that change worldwide might tip the scales in users’ favor.
Do you think Apple will ever let users replace Siri—without government intervention? Let us know in the comments.
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