Apple May Allow Users To Replace Siri As Default Assistant

Apple’s challenges in enhancing Siri with next-gen AI technology are widely recognized, while competitors like Google’s Gemini have gained traction in the Android realm. The situation escalated to the point where Apple had to retract advertisements promoting Siri’s advanced features, which have yet to be released nearly a year later.

As a temporary fix, Apple has incorporated ChatGPT into the Apple Intelligence stack on iPhones, allowing the OpenAI chatbot to tackle questions that Siri is unable to answer. Additionally, there are discussions about integrating more AI chatbots to provide similar support.

In the future, it’s possible that Apple will permit users to completely replace Siri as their primary voice assistant on Apple devices. This would mark a significant change, considering Siri has been a hallmark of Apple’s innovation. However, in response to increasing competition and regulatory pressures, Apple may take such a step, as noted by Bloomberg.

The report indicates that in order to comply with anticipated European Union regulations, Apple is actively modifying its operating systems. For the first time, this will allow users to change from Siri as their default voice assistant to third-party alternatives, according to sources familiar with the developments.

Why Does It Matter?

Currently, if you ask Siri questions like “Who won the Academy Award for Best Director in 2023?” or “What principle best explains fluid motion in a closed loop?” it cannot respond. In such cases, Siri would refer these inquiries to ChatGPT, pending user approval.

The overarching concern is that Siri remains a fixture, but permitting users to entirely replace it with third-party software—like Google’s Gemini, Anthropic’s Claude, or OpenAI’s ChatGPT—would clearly signal that Apple is faltering in the AI assistant sector. Apple is unlikely to allow this situation to unfold.

However, many users have already transitioned to competing chatbots, such as Gemini, ChatGPT, and Perplexity, which are increasingly being integrated with various third-party applications. Personal tests with Gemini on an iPhone indicate that Google’s assistant is already superior to Siri in numerous ways.

According to Bloomberg’s detailed report, users would likely switch from Siri if Apple gave them the option. “Unless there’s a significant improvement with Apple’s products, many users may make that choice,” it states. Apple has already made notable concessions for users in the EU, such as enabling third-party app stores and external in-app payment solutions, as well as the capacity to alter default messaging and calling applications.

What’s Next for Apple in AI?

Apple is currently developing a next-gen version of Siri, internally known as LLM Siri, intended to match the capabilities of contemporary AI chatbots. However, previous reports suggest that this major update is still a year or two away. Apple is enlisting user data to aid in the training for this new system.

Apple aims to differentiate the Apple Intelligence branding from Siri to continue advancing AI-powered features without the hindrance of the struggling virtual assistant. As part of this approach, the company is exploring innovations such as an AI-powered battery management system and a personalized health coach.

Moreover, Apple intends to adopt a more cautious strategy for feature announcements following the Siri missteps. “Apple will largely refrain from revealing features long before their official launch,” the Bloomberg report states. Further insights into the company’s future initiatives are expected to be unveiled at the WWDC 2025 conference next month.