Apple is planning to give Siri a significant overhaul in iOS 27, including user controls over chat-history retention that would let people automatically delete their conversation logs with the assistant. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported the details in his Power On newsletter, with multiple technology publications picking up and expanding on the report ahead of Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in June.
The redesigned Siri would function more like a standalone chatbot than the voice-command layer iPhone users have grown accustomed to, according to Gurman's reporting. Users would be able to reach it the usual way or through a new "Search or Ask" mode triggered by swiping down from the top center of the screen. The app-style experience represents a substantial shift in how Apple is framing the assistant.
Privacy is being positioned as a central selling point. TechCrunch noted that Gurman described Apple's emphasis on chat-history controls as a way company executives may contrast Siri against rival AI chatbots that treat privacy protections as opt-in features rather than defaults. Whether that framing reflects genuine architectural differences or serves as convenient cover for a product that still lags behind ChatGPT and Google Gemini in raw capability is a fair question. TechCrunch raised it directly, noting the privacy pitch could also help excuse Siri's shortcomings compared with competitors.
There are reasons for skepticism about a smooth rollout. Android Headlines reported that early iOS 27 testers have raised concerns about the accuracy of the large language model driving the new assistant. Apple is reportedly considering launching the revamped Siri with a beta label this fall, a signal that the company wants some cushion against hallucinations or sluggish performance. AppleInsider rated this outcome as likely. The beta designation would also be Apple's second such hedge on major Siri improvements in roughly two years, after the Apple Intelligence features announced at WWDC 2024 faced repeated delays.
Gurman's newsletter also touched on other planned AI additions in iOS 27, including an upgrade to Genmoji, Apple's AI-generated emoji feature, according to 9to5Mac and Business Standard.
The June developer conference will be the first real look at how far along this rebuild actually is. If the new Siri ships in the fall behind a beta label after two years of promises, the privacy story will need to be a compelling one.
Original source: https://kite.kagi.com/5b73205d-fb42-4ee3-87ba-854f2545e029/tech/0