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- Siri AI requires iOS 27 developer beta and a waiting list.
- A free Apple Developer account is enough to install the beta.
- Apple says Siri AI will launch in beta later this year.
Apple has finally given Siri the big update everyone has been asking for for years, moving it from the voice assistant era to the smart AI era.
At WWDC 2026 in June, the company unveiled Siri AI, a new version of Siri “powered by Apple Intelligence.” Apple said Siri AI is more conversational, understands personal context, can answer broad questions, and can take action across apps. And it can use my information from messages, emails, photos, notes, and even the screen itself to do more for me.
Also: The two biggest features of iOS 27 at WWDC for me have nothing to do with Siri AI
Getting caught? (There always is, right?) The iOS 27 developer beta needs to be installed first, and even then, there’s a waiting list.
How to get Siri AI
What you will need: iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, any iPhone 16 model, or any iPhone 17 model running iOS 27 developer beta.
Install the iOS 27 developer beta on the second device, but make sure to back it up first. Remember, developer betas are unfinished software. Apps can crash or have problems, battery life can drain, and features can disappear.
The good news is that Apple no longer requires a $99-a-year Apple Developer Program membership just to get access to beta software. A free Apple Developer account enough. To join, if you haven’t already, just go to Apple developer website or use the Apple developer app, sign in, and agree to the developer terms.
Also: 3 new features in macOS 27 make it worth the upgrade right away for me – including Siri
Once that’s done, any new developer beta will automatically appear on the iPhone associated with that Apple Account. To test iOS 27 and install it now, open Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates. From there, select iOS 27 Developer Beta, go back to the Software Update screen, and install the update.
Need help? Check out ZDNET’s guide to installing the iOS 27 developer beta.
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After the iOS 27 developer beta is installed, the iPhone will restart, but Siri AI will not automatically be available to try it out. Apple operates a waiting list. To join it, open the Settings app, go to Apple Intelligence & Siri, then select “Try the New Siri.” Follow the prompts to log in. When the location opens, a notification will appear saying New Siri is available.
Also: Getting real about WWDC and Siri AI – Video
Apple didn’t confirm how long the wait would be, but said Siri AI will be available in beta “later this year.”
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Should you wait to try Siri AI?
It is possible. The iOS 27 developer beta is the only way to Siri AI right now. But it’s meant for developers to test apps and APIs, not most people who need a stable everyday phone. Only install it on an iPhone that is used daily, or wait for the public beta of iOS 27. That is expected in July and is easy for anyone to try. The official release to the general public is not expected until this fall.
Also: How Data Can Improve Your Life and Health
Me? Join me. I have a spare iPhone running the developer beta of iOS 27 right now, and the first thing I did was get on the waiting list to try out Siri AI. But that’s because I’m usually excited to try out AI tools, and I want to play with the new Siri and be able to write with it.
What can Siri AI do?
an apple said the new Siri AI is “a highly capable and conversational assistant” that can help you “find information and get things done throughout the day.” That’s great, but what, exactly, can it do? According to Apple, the new Siri AI can:
Also: Will your iPhone support Siri AI? The answer is complicated
- Access “global knowledge for up-to-date answers” on any topic.
- Give “detailed answers” and a “natural back-and-forth conversation.”
- Use “personal content” in messages, emails, and photos to help you find what you need.
- Find information such as restaurant tips, hotel reservations, and travel photos.
- Understand what is on the screen and answer questions about it.
- Use “Visual Intelligence” in the camera and screenshots.
- Take actions across apps, including writing emails and editing or sharing photos.
- It allows you to query images, files, and text from context menus.
- Produce, rewrite, and proofread text throughout the process.
- Match punctuation and tone in Mail and Messages based on how you normally write.
- Save “conversation history” in a dedicated Siri app.
- Give clear voices and better pronunciation.
- Help split the bills with Apple Cash.
- Use iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, CarPlay, AirPods, and Vision Pro.
- Work from Spotlight on iPad and Mac.
When will Siri AI be available?
Apple said it will be available in beta “later this year,” starting in English.
What iPhone models support Siri AI?
The answer is complicated, but here is my best guess:
- iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
- All iPhone 16 models
- Any of the latest iPhone models
Apple did not provide a list of supported devices, however iOS 27 page indicates that Siri AI requires an “Apple Intelligence enabled device.” Apple’s Apple Intelligence support page and lists “iPhone 15 Pro models, and iPhone 16 models or later.” Apple’s iOS page uses the same wording of Apple Intelligence in iOS 27, and: “all models of iPhone 16 and later, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max.”
There are also regional restrictions. an apple said Siri AI “will not initially” be available in the EU on iPhone and iPad.
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