Apple to Let Users Replace Siri With Third-Party AI Models in September 2026 iOS

Apple will allow users to replace Siri, the system-level default voice assistant, with third-party artificial intelligence models in its latest iOS system, including OpenAI's ChatGPT, Anthropic's Claude and Google Gemini.

Users can also remap the device's physical controls to summon a third-party assistant, including a long press of the power button (side button) or the Action Button on the iPhone, so that a third-party large language model can be triggered directly through native hardware interaction for context-aware multi-turn dialogue, without first waking Siri and then having Siri request relay permission from the third-party model. With the user's explicit authorization, a connected third-party assistant can recognize a summary of the content currently displayed on screen, directly accept multimodal input from the clipboard, and coordinate with native system applications such as Notes and Reminders.

Previously, when Apple introduced external AI capabilities, it mainly used ChatGPT as an optional cloud extension, and each trigger required a separate privacy confirmation pop-up. The latest system update supports third-party assistants directly replacing Siri's default behavior. Antitrust regulations such as the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA) impose restrictions on technology giants regarding choice screens and the opening of core platform services.