How to use the new Siri app in iOS 27

Siri has been around since 2011, and for most of that time it has lagged behind assistants from Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic. iOS 27 is Apple’s attempt to bridge that gap, rebuilding the Assistant with new AI capabilities and, for the first time, giving it a standalone app for chatbot-like conversational use. Getting started with Siri AI on your iPhone is simple, provided you meet a few requirements. This not only includes updating to iOS 27 first, but also checking if your device is compatible with Apple Intelligence.

Even if you have an iPhone running iOS 27, it may not be compatible with Siri AI. Apple Intelligence and new Siri features are limited to iPhone 15 Pro and later. Older iPhones, including the base iPhone 15, are stuck with classic, stupid Siri.

You may also experience difficulty using Siri AI depending on your region and language. For now it only works in English. Users from the EU or China will also not be able to access it due to local regulations. Unfortunately, trying to change your iPhone’s settings won’t bypass these restrictions.

After updating your iPhone to iOS 27, you will be asked to enable Siri AI. If you chose not to do so at that time, you can always enable it later by going to Settings > Siri and tapping Enable Siri. Then try the new Siri. You can get instant access to Siri AI. However, some people end up on a waiting list first. Beta testers have reported wait times ranging from minutes to days.

The redesigned Siri can be reached in three different ways. Swipe down from Dynamic Island and a search box appears. Holding down the side button still works if that’s what you’re used to. Maybe you want a more conventional chatbot experience like what you get with ChatGPT? There is now a dedicated Siri app for this too.

The Siri app keeps a history of your past conversations synced via iCloud. It includes detailed answers with text cards, images and other media instead of a simple answer. Want to give it more context? Press the plus button to insert an image or document. Or maybe you just want to ask “what’s the weather forecast?” “. All classic commands work as usual.

Another cool feature of the new Siri experience is how it has access to your personal context. Try asking questions about things like your messages or emails, and Siri will likely give you the answer you’re looking for instead of just asking you on Google.

There’s a search button on the app’s main screen if you’re browsing old conversations. You can also switch between a list view and a card grid – just use the toggle in the upper right corner. Want to pin one, rename it, or get rid of it? Pressing and holding does the trick.

By default, iCloud keeps this history synced across every Apple device signed into the same account. To clear this history, go to Settings > Siri > Keep Conversations. You have three options: 30 days, one year, or forever. Some short requests such as “set a timer” or “play a song” are not saved in Siri’s history.

For now, iOS 27 is still in public beta, while the update is usually released in the fall. If you don’t want to wait, the beta software program is open to developers and testers. And don’t forget to back up your iPhone, just in case the beta causes your favorite app to bug.