A smarter Siri, new AI features and more coming with the update this fall

WWDC 2026 is just under three weeks away now, which means we’ll soon get to preview what’s coming with iOS 27 when it launches this fall. Apple’s big developers conference will take place on June 9, and we’re expecting to get a look at the new, smarter Siri features as a part of the new interface.

The biggest change? Siri will be more of a conversational AI agent like Gemini and ChatGPT. That means it’ll be able to complete tasks and will be more integrated into your iPhone and other Apple devices. But there are a slew of other Siri changes — including a new look — that we’ll get into below.

While you wait for the release of iOS 27, we can tell you what you’ll get when you download Apple’s newest update, iOS 26.5, which just became available. It has several smaller updates — including changes to Maps and RCS encryption. We’ll keep this story updated as more details about what’s coming with iOS 27 come to light.

What we’re expecting with iOS 27 so far

iOS 27 is where you’ll find the Siri overhaul this year. Here’s what we know so far.

Smarter, chatbot Siri

iOS 27 will include a chatbot version of ‌Siri‌ that will operate similarly to ChatGPT, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. That means Siri will be better at holding a conversation — through voice and text — rather than simply answering questions and commands. 

“The goal is to transform the technology from a traditional voice assistant into a systemwide AI agent with deep integration across applications,” Gurman said.

Google Gemini will power Siri

Apple will be using Google’s Gemini AI to power a more personalized Siri, the two companies said in a joint statement in January. “Apple determined that Google’s Al technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models and is excited about the innovative new experiences it will unlock for Apple users,” they said at the time. So while Apple isn’t totally outsourcing its AI smarts to Google, it does appear that Google’s Gemini AI will provide the backbone for the next generation of Apple Intelligence, and presumably the new Siri as well.

You can choose which AI system to use

Instead of only having the option to use Siri, Gurman says you’ll be able to select from other AI services like Gemini, ChatGPT or Claude. This will work for Apple Intelligence features like Writing Tools and Image Playground.

Siri will have its own app

Siri is getting a standalone app with the iOS 27 update, per Gurman’s report. Similar to ChatGPT, you’ll be able to find previous conversations you’ve had with Siri in the app. The conversations will have an iMessage view with chat bubbles, and you’ll be able to search specific chats. That will be a welcome change compared to the current iteration of Siri, where your individual questions are gone with the wind the moment your conversation moves on.

Siri might move to the Dynamic Island

Instead of the full edge glow you see when you summon Siri (on iPhone 15 and newer), the report notes that Apple is testing a way to place Siri within the Dynamic Island. Once you ask it something, a label will appear that says “Searching,” and once the search results are ready, it’ll expand into a larger translucent window that uses the Liquid Glass design. And, actually, the WWDC invite logo alludes to the overhauled Siri activation style, as Gurman recently pointed out.

Ask Siri

Apple wants to make Siri more integrated into its OSes, the report says, and it plans to do so by adding two functions: an Ask Siri toggle and a Write with Siri option. The “Ask Siri” toggle will appear in built-in apps and will let you get help with things like finding an email or getting more info on text you’ve highlighted. Write with Siri will pull up a Writing Tools menu to help you write and generate text.

A customizable Camera app

Apple reportedly plans to make the Camera app more customizable, according to Gurman. He notes that users will be able to choose which features — including controls for flash, exposure, the timer and resolution — appear in the Camera app. They’ll also be able to choose where they’re placed.

New undo and redo buttons coming

Right now, when you long-press the home screen and tap Edit, you see four options: Add Widget, Customize, Edit Wallpaper and Edit Pages. But Gurman reports two new buttons are likely getting added: Undo and Redo. Those will be in place to reverse or redo changes.

AI-powered Calendar and Health apps

Apple’s revamping the Calendar and Health apps with AI for iOS 27, Bloomberg’s Gurman also reported. Though there’s still not much information about this right now.

When will iOS 27 be released?

Apple typically launches its new OSes in the fall — usually in September — after its iPhone event. We’ll update this as new details come to light.

Here’s what’s new in iOS 26.5

There are several new features coming with iOS 26.5 when you install it.

Changes to Maps

A new Suggested Places feature that recommends places to go based on recent searches will be added to Maps with the new update. You’ll also see ads in Maps (not sure that’s something to be excited for).

RCS encryption

We’re likely getting the RCS end-to-end encryption we saw with the 26.4 beta. Apple introduced RCS features with iOS 18, but end-to-end encryption will be a new addition. It’s currently still being tested for Apple and Android devices.

To access it, you’ll open the Settings app and go to Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging and toggle on End-to-End Encryption. As a note, I’m not seeing this in the 26.5 beta yet but will update this as soon as it pops up in a future beta.

Keep your messages

There’s a new setting for transferring iPhone messages to Android when switching devices. Previously, you’d lose all your texts when moving away from iOS, but this new feature will let you keep them.

App store changes

You’ll see new information for in-app subscription plans in the App Store. Apple says you can “specify the billing plan type to use for subscriptions that have a monthly with 12-month commitment billing plan.”

New Pride wallpaper

You’ll have access to the new Pride wallpaper collection — there are six designs to choose from. Like with the other collections, just tap “Get” to use the new wallpaper.

What came with iOS 26.4?

New emoji

Eight new emoji arrived with the release of 26.4, including an orca, trombone, treasure chest, distorted face, ballet dancer, fight cloud, hairy creature and landslide. Not sure how they come up with the names for some of these, but the hairy creature looks like Bigfoot, and the landslide looks like a large boulder that’s breaking apart.

Offline music recognition

You can now identify a song you’re listening to even if you don’t have an internet connection. However, you won’t get the results until you’re back online. Pretty cool if you remember to look.

Playlist Playground

Located in Apple Music, this generates a playlist from whatever description you give it, including a title, description and tracklist. You can find the new button in the Library tab.

Concerts

You can find nearby shows and tour dates from artists in your library. Plus, Concerts will recommend new artists based on what you listen to.

Reduce Bright Effects setting

This new button, located in Accessibility settings, minimizes highlighting and flashing when you tap on things like buttons or the keyboard. Just go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > then toggle the switch for Reduce Bright Effects.