Apple may soon let users replace Siri with other AI assistants

The iOS 26.2 beta 3 update is out and developers digging through the code found evidence that iOS may finally let users swap Siri for a different voice assistant. This means the long-press side button gesture, sacred to Siri for years, could soon launch something like Gemini or ChatGPT instead.

The developers spotted that a new ‘SystemVoiceAssistant’ app has appeared in the system files. It’s accompanied by new code strings that talk about “Assign[ing] a voice-enabled app to the Side Button.”

iOS 26.2 beta reveals a plan to swap the default assistant

It looks like this will all be handled by a new panel in the Settings app. The new default app apparently cannot be hidden or locked. Users will just select their preferred assistant and use the same side button gesture.

The most interesting hint, however, suggests this could be a genuinely deep integration. Third-party assistants might get to show a special custom interface on the iPhone’s Home Screen, known as Springboard, rather than just booting users into a separate app.

Now for the bad news. An Apple Developer Blog post just confirmed this feature is rolling out only in Japan for now. The move is a direct response to Japan’s tough new Mobile Software Competition Act.

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That law, which fully kicks in this December, forces platform owners like Apple to provide equal access to core system functions, including voice assistants. iOS 26.2 is scheduled to launch next month, just squeaking past the legal deadline.

This whole thing feels like a major dry run for the European Union. We’ve heard rumours via Bloomberg for months that Apple would need to do something identical to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act. It isn’t clear whether Apple would roll this out to other regions as well, beyond these two.