In the beta version of iOS 26.2, a feature to change Siri to a third-party voice assistant has appeared
In the beta version of iOS 26.2, changes have appeared that may allow using another voice assistant instead of Siri. It can be activated via the iPhone's side button. This will be the first time a long press on it will launch another voice service.
What is known
The ability to change the assistant will only apply to devices registered in Japan. Users in this country will be able to assign, for example, Google Gemini, Amazon Alexa, or another application instead of Siri for calling through the Side Button.
The introduction of this feature is related to the enactment of the Mobile Software Competition Act in Japan, adopted in August. The law, which will take effect in December, requires third-party developers to be given access to the devices' system elements, including hardware buttons.
There is also speculation that a similar feature may appear in the European Union as part of the Digital Markets Act, which requires large companies to provide equal access to system capabilities for third-party developers. Apple's documentation currently states that this feature is only available in Japan.
It is additionally reported that Apple is cooperating with other companies, including Google, to integrate third-party artificial intelligence technologies into Siri.
Source: 9to5Mac
