iOS 27's New Siri App: How It Works and Who Can Use It

Apple has given Siri its first major overhaul in years. With iOS 27, the assistant gains a dedicated app for chatbot-style conversations and deep access to personal data. But not every iPhone can join in.

According to Engadget, Siri AI is limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and later. Even the base iPhone 15 is stuck with the older, less capable Siri. Users also need to be in a supported region and speak English. The feature won't work in the European Union or China, and changing device settings won't bypass those restrictions.

If your device qualifies, enabling Siri AI is straightforward. After updating to iOS 27, you'll be asked to turn it on. You can also enable it later via Settings > Siri and hitting "Turn On Siri" followed by "Try the new Siri." Some users may be placed on a waitlist, with beta testers reporting delays from a few minutes to a few days.

Once active, you can reach the new Siri three ways: swipe down from the Dynamic Island to summon a search box, hold the side button, or open the new Siri app for a ChatGPT-like experience.

The Siri app includes a history of past conversations, synced via iCloud. Responses can feature rich text cards, images, and other media rather than simple replies. You can attach an image or document by tapping the plus button. Classic commands like "what's the weather forecast" still work.

One standout feature is personal context. Siri can pull information from your messages or emails to answer questions directly, instead of telling you to search the web. The app also includes a search button for old conversations, a toggle between list and card grid views, and long-press actions to pin, rename, or delete items.

Privacy-wise, you can control how long Siri keeps conversation history. By default, iCloud stores it across your Apple devices. To change that, go to Settings > Siri > Keep Conversations, where you can choose 30 days, one year, or forever. Short commands like "set a timer" aren't saved.

iOS 27 is currently in public beta, with a full release expected in the fall. The Beta Software Program is open to developers and testers, but Engadget reminds users to back up their iPhones before trying the beta, as apps may become buggy.

For those with a compatible iPhone, the new Siri marks a meaningful step up from the old assistant. For everyone else, it's a reason to consider upgrading — or wait for the final release.