Apple is reportedly preparing to unveil a new standalone Siri application at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2026. The app is expected to finally deliver on long-promised advancements in artificial intelligence for the voice assistant, integrating Google's Gemini models while maintaining a strong emphasis on user privacy.
Standalone Siri app details
According to a new report from a reliable source, the standalone Siri app will include a conversation history interface, similar to popular chatbots like ChatGPT. Users will be able to start new text-based chats or initiate voice conversations. The app will also support file uploads, allowing users to share images, documents, or other data directly with Siri for processing. A new universal gesture for entering a Siri chat is also in development.
A key privacy feature of the app is auto-deleting conversation history. Just as Apple's Messages app offers options to automatically delete messages after 30 days, one year, or never, the Siri app will provide identical controls. This gives users granular control over their data and aligns with Apple's longstanding commitment to privacy.
The new Siri app will also offer two interface options: users can open directly to a fresh, blank chat view (reminiscent of ChatGPT) or a Messages-style list of past conversations. This flexibility aims to cater to different usage patterns—whether users want to quickly ask a question or browse through previous interactions.
Beta label and opt-out
One notable aspect of the rollout is that the revamped Siri will carry a beta label, even when it ships publicly with iOS 27 in the fall. This approach is not new for Apple; the company previously applied a beta label to Apple Intelligence features when they debuted in iOS 18. Internal test versions of iOS 27 already display this label and include a toggle to leave the Siri beta.
Users will be able to opt out of the new Siri experiences. It remains unclear whether this opt-out will be separate from the existing Apple Intelligence toggle or will be integrated within it. Some observers have noted that Apple’s all-or-nothing approach to Apple Intelligence toggles could benefit from more granular controls, and the new Siri opt-out might offer a model for future customization.
Privacy and AI integration
Privacy remains a central theme of the new Siri. Apple is striking a deal with Google to use Gemini AI models, but the company will run these models on its own private cloud compute servers—not on Google’s infrastructure. This means that Google will not have access to users’ Siri conversations for training purposes. The exact technical details are still emerging, but the arrangement represents a significant step in keeping user data within Apple’s trusted environment.
The auto-deleting chat history feature further reinforces this privacy-first approach. By giving users the ability to set automatic deletion timelines, Apple ensures that conversational data does not persist longer than the user intends. This is especially important as AI assistants become more capable and accumulate larger volumes of personal information.
Background and context
Siri, first introduced in 2011, has long been seen as lagging behind competitors like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant in terms of intelligence and natural language understanding. In recent years, Apple has invested heavily in AI, but its efforts have been slower to materialize. The revamped Siri was originally expected to launch in 2024 as part of the Apple Intelligence initiative, but was delayed. The standalone app and Gemini integration are now seen as the culmination of these efforts.
The partnership with Google to leverage Gemini models will likely bring dramatic improvements to Siri’s ability to understand context, generate responses, and handle complex queries. While Apple’s private cloud compute will process many requests, the underlying AI power comes from Google’s cutting-edge models—a compromise that balances performance with privacy.
Other tech companies have also moved toward standalone chatbot apps. Google launched Gemini as a separate app, and OpenAI’s ChatGPT has its own dedicated client. Apple’s move follows this industry trend, but the company’s focus on privacy and integration with the broader iOS ecosystem could set it apart.
The new Siri app is expected to be one of the headline features of iOS 27, which is likely to be previewed at WWDC 2026. In addition to the app, Apple may introduce further enhancements to Apple Intelligence, including improved on-device processing and new AI-powered features for apps like Messages, Photos, and Notes.
As the launch approaches, developers and users alike are eager to see whether the revamped Siri lives up to its promises. The beta label suggests that Apple is aware of potential imperfections and wants to set expectations accordingly. By allowing users to opt out, the company provides a safety net while it refines the technology based on real-world feedback.
Auto-deleting chat history, custom interface options, and robust privacy protections position the new Siri as a serious contender in the AI assistant space. If Apple executes well, it could redefine how users interact with their devices—not just for simple queries, but for deep, context-aware conversations.
Source: 9to5Mac News