Apple is testing replacing Siri with third-party assistants in iOS 26.2
By ForGeeks
Apple is preparing a feature that will allow you to summon a third-party voice assistant via the iPhone’s side button. The feature will appear in iOS 26.2 and will only be available in Japan.
iOS 26.2 beta 3 references a system that replaces Siri when you press the iPhone’s side button. The code mentions the new SystemVoiceAssistant app and lines related to assigning third-party assistants. Apple confirmed the feature in a Developer Blog update and noted that it will only be available to users in Japan.
Support for third-party assistants in iOS 26.2
In iOS 26.2 beta 3, elements have been discovered that indicate Apple is preparing to change the default assistant. The SystemVoiceAssistant app has appeared in the system, which is responsible for selecting the program activated by the side button.
- “Assign a voice-enabled app to the Side Button”,
- “%@” will be available when it finishes downloading”,
- “”%@” is not available for use with the Side Button in your region.”
Limited geography and release dates
Apple posted an update to the Developer Blog on Nov. The company said that the third-party assistant assignment feature will only be available in Japan.
iOS 26.2 will be released next month and will be the last major update before the holidays. Other changes are already visible in the betas: preparing AirDrop improvements and a Measure update.
IOS 26.2 will be available next month and will be the last major update before the holidays.
Earlier iOS 26.2 also removed one of the iPhone and Apple Watch’s system features, which has drawn attention to what changes Apple will have time to include in this release.
