Apple has announced that the upgraded Siri features coming with iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 won’t launch in the European Union as planned. They haven’t provided a specific date for when EU users might gain access.
This delay impacts the new AI-powered version of Siri, which is a complete overhaul of Apple’s voice assistant. It utilizes both on-device and cloud-based large language models to handle questions, complete tasks, and function across apps. This feature is the main highlight of iOS 27, but EU iPhone and iPad users will miss out at launch.
Why Is This Happening?
Apple cites the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) as the reason for the delay. This set of regulations requires large tech platforms to open their systems to competitors. Apple claims that meeting these DMA requirements while rolling out the new Siri features has created technical and legal challenges that aren’t resolved yet.
This isn’t the first instance where Apple has pointed to the DMA to justify withholding features from European users. They postponed several features from iOS 18 in the EU for similar reasons, with some of those features arriving months after their global release — and some are still absent.
Chinese users face similar delays for the new Siri features, but Apple has mentioned different regulatory and infrastructure issues in that market.
What’s Actually in the New Siri?
The Siri version coming with iOS 27 marks a major upgrade from what iPhone users have had for years. Imagine the difference between a simple GPS that just provides directions and a co-pilot who can re-route your trip, book a restaurant, and text your friend that you’re running late — all at the same time.
The new Siri can perform actions across multiple apps in a single request. It understands context from conversations and calendars and can respond to more complex, natural questions. Plus, it integrates with Apple’s broader Apple Intelligence system, which covers writing tools and image generation.
Which Devices Are Affected?
iOS 27 will still launch in the EU, so users will get the operating system update along with most of its non-AI features. However, the new Siri and related Apple Intelligence features are being held back.
CNET reports that iOS 27 is compatible with a wide array of iPhones, giving several older models at least another year of major software support. On the iPad side, 9to5Mac notes that most current iPads will support iPadOS 27, with only a few older models being excluded.
| By The Numbers: Siri AI Delay | |
|---|---|
| Regions affected | European Union + China |
| Launch timeline for EU | Indefinite — no date given |
| Regulation cited | EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) |
| Previous Apple Intelligence delays in EU | Multiple features from iOS 18 were delayed or remain absent |
| iOS 27 release | Expected fall 2026 |
What This Means
If you’re an iPhone or iPad user in the EU, you’ll receive iOS 27 along with its non-AI enhancements. These include interface updates, performance improvements, and new standard features. However, the assistant that Apple has heavily marketed as the centerpiece of this release won’t be available.
It’s similar to purchasing a new car that was advertised with an advanced driver-assist system, only to find out at pickup that the feature has been disabled in your country, with no word on when it might be activated.
For those who’ve been eager for the new Siri to replace tools like ChatGPT or Google Assistant for everyday tasks, this wait is stretching on with no clear end in sight. Apple’s use of “indefinitely” instead of a specific quarter or year means there’s no way to plan around the delay.
This situation raises a broader question for EU Apple users: as AI becomes more integral to iPhones, will European users consistently receive a stripped-down version of the product compared to users in other regions?
What People Are Saying
“So we’re paying the same price for iPhones in Europe but getting less software. Cool. Really cool.”
“Apple is using the DMA as an excuse again. Other companies managed to launch AI features in the EU. Apple just doesn’t want to deal with interoperability requirements.”
What To Watch
- Fall 2026: iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 are expected to launch globally. Keep an eye out for any updates from Apple regarding EU Siri availability as that date approaches.
- EU regulatory response: The European Commission has been closely tracking Apple’s DMA compliance. Any new rulings or negotiations could speed up or complicate the Siri rollout.
- Apple Intelligence in China: Apple has been partnering with local companies to bring AI features to Chinese users. Progress there may indicate how Apple addresses other restricted markets in the future.
- Competitor moves: Google and Samsung are aggressively pushing AI assistant features in Europe. If Apple stays out of the picture, user behavior data from that time could shape how Apple prioritizes the EU in future releases.
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.
