Apple is completely revamping Siri in iOS 27. The update will transform Siri into a dedicated chat-based app capable of engaging in conversations, completing multi-step tasks, and competing with ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Anthropic’s Claude, as reported by MacRumors and 9to5Mac.
This update marks the most significant change to Siri since its debut in 2011. Instead of the usual floating orb that appears when you press the home button, Siri will have its own standalone app featuring a persistent chat window, similar to messaging with an AI assistant.
What’s Actually Changing
The redesigned Siri will act as an AI agent. This means it can execute sequences of actions on your behalf rather than just answering single questions. For example, think about asking a friend, “What’s the weather?” compared to saying, “Plan my morning around the rain forecast.” The new Siri will be built for those more complex requests.
Here are some key changes expected:
- A dedicated Siri app that you can find on your home screen like any other app
- A continuous chat interface that lets you scroll through your conversation history
- The ability to handle follow-up questions within the same session, allowing Siri to remember context
- Enhanced on-device actions so Siri can pull from multiple apps to accomplish a task rather than just opening them
Currently, Siri handles each question as a separate interaction. You ask, get an answer, and the conversation resets. The new chat model means you could ask Siri to “find me a dinner spot near my hotel in Chicago” and then follow up with “book a table for two on Saturday” without starting over.
Liquid Glass Gets Toned Down
Along with the Siri redesign, 9to5Mac reports that Apple is adjusting Liquid Glass. This is the translucent, reflective visual style introduced with iOS 26. Users found it visually overwhelming in some cases, so Apple is streamlining it for iOS 27 to reduce visual clutter.
Mid-cycle visual adjustments are unusual for Apple but not unheard of. The company made similar tweaks after iOS 7’s launch in 2013 when users felt the flat design was too stark.
Why Apple Is Moving Fast on This
Apple’s efforts in AI have drawn criticism for lagging behind its competitors. ChatGPT crossed 800 million weekly active users earlier this year, and Google’s Gemini is integrated deeply into Android devices. Apple’s response has been Apple Intelligence, its branded suite of AI features that work on-device and in the cloud. However, Siri’s interaction model has remained largely unchanged.
The new chat interface aims to address the most evident gap. Until now, users couldn’t have a meaningful back-and-forth conversation with Siri like they can with ChatGPT or Gemini. Reports suggest Apple is also relying on its existing partnership with OpenAI for queries that exceed the capabilities of on-device processing.
| Data Point | Figure |
|---|---|
| Year Siri was launched | 2011 |
| ChatGPT weekly active users (2026) | 800 million+ |
| Years since Siri’s last major interface redesign | ~5+ years |
| Expected iOS 27 announcement | WWDC 2026 (June) |
What This Means for Everyday Users
If you’ve given up on Siri for anything more than setting a timer, this update is designed to bring you back. The chat interface allows you to use Siri just like ChatGPT on your phone, with better integration into your calendar, messages, photos, and other Apple apps.
In practical terms, instead of juggling three separate apps to plan a trip, you could ask Siri to pull your flight confirmation from Mail, add the hotel to Maps, and create a packing list in Reminders—all in one conversation. That’s the hope, anyway. Whether Apple can deliver on that promise at launch remains to be seen.
The new app also means you can open Siri whenever you want, rather than accidentally triggering it. This subtle shift changes how Apple is presenting the assistant: it’s evolving from a quick-shortcut tool to a primary AI interface for iPhone.
Community Reactions
“A dedicated Siri app makes total sense. The issue was always that you couldn’t have a real back-and-forth. If they actually fix context retention, I’d use it daily.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it. Apple said Siri was getting smarter with Apple Intelligence and it still can’t reliably set two alarms in a row.”
What To Watch
- WWDC 2026 (June 2026): Apple is expected to officially announce iOS 27 at its Worldwide Developers Conference. We’ll finally see what the new Siri looks like and get a full feature list.
- Developer beta (June/July 2026): The first public glimpse of the chat interface will come through Apple’s developer and public beta programs. Early hands-on reports will reveal whether the on-device performance meets expectations.
- OpenAI partnership terms: Keep an eye out for updates on how Apple’s ongoing ChatGPT integration will work in the new Siri framework, especially regarding privacy and data handling.
- Competitor responses: Google and Microsoft usually react to Apple’s AI announcements within weeks. A Siri overhaul could speed up feature updates on Android and Windows.
Ava Mitchell
Ava Mitchell is a digital culture journalist at Explosion.com covering social media platforms, streaming services, and the creator economy. With 4 years reporting on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and the apps that shape daily life, Ava specializes in explaining platform policy changes and their impact on everyday users. She previously managed social media strategy for a tech startup, giving her firsthand experience with the platforms she now covers.
