Quick answer
Siri Chat was the reported chatbot-style Siri for iOS 27: multi-turn conversations, a standalone Siri app with history and file uploads, and web answers. This page records what was reported before WWDC 2026. iOS 27 has since shipped, so check our iOS 27 features list for what Apple actually released, and use an iPhone 15 Pro or newer to try it.
Where things stand now
This page was first written in March 2026, while the new Siri was still a rumour. Since then Apple announced iOS 27 at the WWDC keynote on 8 June 2026 and released iOS 27.0 to the public on 14 September 2026. The current public release is iOS 27.0.1 (24A446), and Apple is testing iOS 27.2, which reached beta 4 (24B5110a) on 13 October 2026.
Everything in the sections below describes reports, not Apple announcements. For the confirmed list, see what's new in iOS 27 and Apple's own iOS 27 pages.
What Siri Chat was reported to do
Reporting through spring 2026, led by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, described a Siri that behaves much more like a chat assistant than the voice command tool people know.
| Reported feature | What was described |
|---|---|
| Conversation mode | Back-and-forth chat that keeps context between questions |
| Standalone Siri app | Conversation history, search, and image and document uploads |
| Dynamic Island | A "Search or Ask" prompt with a glowing cursor when Siri is invoked |
| Web answers | Responses drawing on the web, with bullet points and images |
| Writing entry points | "Write with Siri" and "Help Me Write" options on the keyboard |
| Chat history controls | Keep conversations for 30 days, one year or indefinitely |
| Beta label | Internal builds reportedly labelled the new Siri as a beta |
The full May 2026 report, including the grammar checker and plain-English Shortcuts that came with it, is covered in our article on the iOS 27 AI features leak.
Why Siri Chat mattered
The more personal Siri that Apple first showed in 2024 slipped more than once. In March 2025 Apple said those features would take longer than expected, and in February 2026 Bloomberg reported that the revamped Siri had run into testing problems, with features spread across iOS 26.4, iOS 26.5 and iOS 27. That made iOS 27 the release where many expected Siri to become a true conversational assistant. Our breakdown of the Siri 2.0 delays covers that history.
The reported Gemini partnership
Several reports before WWDC said Apple would run parts of the new Siri on a custom model built with Google's Gemini team, hosted on Apple's Private Cloud Compute servers rather than Google's. A separate Bloomberg report in May 2026 said iOS 27 would let you choose a third-party AI service, such as ChatGPT or Gemini, to power some Apple Intelligence features.
Those reports are why "Siri Chat vs ChatGPT" became a common search before launch. A meaningful comparison depends on the features Apple actually shipped, so start from the confirmed features list, not the rumours.
Which devices can run it
The reported Siri chat features sit under Apple Intelligence, which on iPhone needs an A17 Pro chip or newer.
| iPhone | iOS 27 | Apple Intelligence |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, 17e, iPhone Air | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 16e | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone 15, 15 Plus | Yes | No |
| iPhone 11 to iPhone 14, iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation) | Yes | No |
Language and region also affect Apple Intelligence. Our Apple Intelligence availability guide covers devices, regions and languages for the 27-series releases.
How to check what your iPhone has
- Update to the latest release in
Settings › General › Software Update. iOS 27.0.1 is the current public build. - Open
Settings › Apple Intelligence & Siriand make sure Apple Intelligence is on. The models download in the background, so give it time on Wi-Fi. - Invoke Siri and try a follow-up question to see how the current build handles context.
If the Apple Intelligence option is missing, our guide to enabling Apple Intelligence on iPhone lists the requirements and fixes.
What to do next
To try the newest Siri and Apple Intelligence changes before they reach the public release, install iOS 27.2 beta 4 on a supported iPhone with our iOS 27 beta download guide. It is free with any Apple Account; archive a computer backup first.
Frequently asked questions
What is Siri Chat?
Siri Chat is the name used before WWDC 2026 for a reported chatbot-style version of Siri in iOS 27. Bloomberg described back-and-forth conversations that keep context, a standalone Siri app with conversation history and file uploads, web answers, and a Siri presence in the Dynamic Island. Those were pre-launch reports. Check Apple's iOS 27 pages and our features list for what Apple actually shipped.
Which iPhones can use the new Siri?
The reported Siri chat features were part of Apple Intelligence, which on iPhone needs an A17 Pro chip or newer. That covers the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, every iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 model including iPhone 16e, iPhone 17e and iPhone Air, and the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus run iOS 27 but not Apple Intelligence.
Was Siri Chat said to use Google Gemini?
Yes, according to reports before WWDC. Bloomberg and others said Apple would use a custom model built with Google's Gemini team for parts of the new Siri, running on Apple's Private Cloud Compute servers. Separate reports said users would be able to choose third-party AI services, such as ChatGPT or Gemini, for some Apple Intelligence features. Treat both as reported plans, not confirmed details.
Was the Siri chat history reported to delete itself?
Yes. A May 2026 Bloomberg report said the Siri app would borrow the history setting from Messages, keeping conversations for 30 days, one year or indefinitely. It also said deleted chats would not be used as personal memory for later requests. Our iOS 27 AI leak article covers that report in full, including the reported beta label on the new Siri.
How do I try the newest Siri features?
Install the current public release or the beta on an Apple Intelligence iPhone. The latest public release is iOS 27.0.1 (24A446). For the beta, enroll free at beta.apple.com or in the Apple Developer app, then open Settings › General › Software Update › Beta Updates and install iOS 27.2 beta 4 (24B5110a). Turn on Apple Intelligence in Settings › Apple Intelligence & Siri.