Apple is enhancing Siri with new features aimed at improving user interactions, set to roll out with iOS 18 and beyond leading into 2026.
Apple’s ongoing enhancement of its virtual assistant, Siri, is set to introduce a range of new capabilities over the course of 2025 and into the following years. The developments stem from Apple’s recent focus on integrating advanced artificial intelligence features into its operating system, specifically through the upcoming iOS 18 and the anticipated iOS 19 updates. The company showcased various Siri improvements earlier this year at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), and further enhancements are expected to roll out progressively.
Key features aimed at improving user interaction with Siri are slated for iOS 18, which is expected to receive an update early next year. The most notable addition is the concept of “personal context.” With this enhancement, Siri will monitor and retain knowledge of users’ emails, messages, files, photos, and other significant data stored on their devices. This capability means that Siri will better assist users in locating items or information, such as a flight number from an email or specific files downloaded to the device. This feature aims to personalise user interactions, enabling Siri to effectively assist in various daily tasks.
Further improving the integration of Siri in users’ everyday experiences is the “onscreen awareness” functionality. This feature allows Siri to understand the context of what is currently displayed on the user’s iPhone or iPad. For example, if a user receives an address in a text message, they can request Siri to “add this to contacts”, and the assistant will understand precisely what the user is referring to. In iOS 18.2, an experimental feature allows Siri to send screenshots to ChatGPT, which can perform similar functions, although Apple has clarified that this integration does not equate to the future onscreen awareness capabilities of Siri.
Moreover, Siri is set to gain deeper app integration. This means that it will not only perform standard commands but will also execute a myriad of new functions across Apple’s suite of applications and third-party platforms. For instance, users will be able to request that Siri retrieves articles from their Safari Reading List or send photos taken at an event to a specific contact. Additionally, Siri is expected to perform multi-step tasks, such as editing a photo and simultaneously sharing it via a single command.
The outlook for Siri following the release of iOS 18 gives insight into future developments planned for 2026. Reports suggest that iOS 19 will introduce a next-generation version of Siri powered by large language models (LLMs), the same technology behind renowned AI services like ChatGPT and Google Gemini. This new iteration of Siri will be designed to support more sophisticated conversations and handle complex tasks, positioning it to more effectively compete within the AI virtual assistant landscape. Announcements regarding iOS 19 features are anticipated to occur during WWDC in June 2025, with a public release likely following in September of the same year.
As for when users can expect to access the new Siri capabilities, Apple is planning to roll out iOS 18.4 in April 2025, subsequent to the introduction of iOS 18.3 in January. The beta testing phase for iOS 18.4 will precede its public release. In contrast, iOS 19 features will be unveiled mid-2025, yet implementation of all intended enhancements may take longer, possibly extending into the following year.
The evolving capabilities of Siri signal a significant shift in how artificial intelligence is set to influence personal devices and their functionality within Apple’s ecosystem, reflecting broader trends in AI automation for businesses and consumer technology.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/11/24/siri-engine-to-be-fundamentally-revamped-across-2025-early-2026 – Corroborates Apple’s plans to overhaul Siri, including the integration with ChatGPT and the rollout of new features across 2025 and into 2026.
- https://theappleden.com/p/siri-20-2025 – Supports the release of the revamped Siri in iOS 18.4, the on-screen context understanding, and the integration with ChatGPT.
- https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-18/pdf/iOS_18_All_New_Features_Sept_2024.pdf – Details the new features of Siri in iOS 18, including personal context, on-screen awareness, and the ability to type commands to Siri.
- https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/11/24/siri-engine-to-be-fundamentally-revamped-across-2025-early-2026 – Mentions the deeper app integration and the ability of Siri to perform multi-step tasks across Apple’s suite of applications.
- https://theappleden.com/p/siri-20-2025 – Provides information on the beta testing phase for iOS 18.4 and the expected public release timeline.
- https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-18/pdf/iOS_18_All_New_Features_Sept_2024.pdf – Explains the predictive text feature in Siri and the ability to switch between text and voice commands.
- https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/11/24/siri-engine-to-be-fundamentally-revamped-across-2025-early-2026 – Discusses the future developments planned for iOS 19, including the next-generation Siri powered by large language models.
- https://theappleden.com/p/siri-20-2025 – Mentions the WWDC announcements for iOS 19 features and the anticipated public release timeline.
- https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-18/pdf/iOS_18_All_New_Features_Sept_2024.pdf – Details the new Siri UI, the glowing edge light, and the more natural voice synthesis in iOS 18.
- https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/11/24/siri-engine-to-be-fundamentally-revamped-across-2025-early-2026 – Corroborates the integration of Siri with personal data and the improved interaction between Siri and apps starting in iOS 18.4.
- https://theappleden.com/p/siri-20-2025 – Supports the expectation that the full initiative of Apple Intelligence will not be available on Apple Watch immediately.