Siri AI in iOS 27: what it can do, which iPhones get it, and what to turn on first
iOS 27 brings Siri AI, a far more conversational Siri, plus new photo, Safari and child safety tools. Here is which iPhones qualify, how to switch Siri AI on, and the settings to try first.
The tip
If you have an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, update to iOS 27 and switch on Siri AI: open Settings, tap Siri, then tap Try Siri AI (Beta). It is the biggest change to Siri since it launched. You can talk or type to it in normal sentences, ask follow up questions, and have it find things in your own messages, emails, photos and notes.
Apple released iOS 27 and Siri AI on September 14, 2026. Siri AI is still labeled a beta, so expect the occasional wrong answer, and check anything important it tells you.
Which iPhones get iOS 27 and which get Siri AI
These are two different lists, which causes a lot of confusion.
| What | iPhones that qualify, according to Apple |
|---|---|
| iOS 27 | iPhone 11 and later, and iPhone SE (2nd generation and later) |
| Siri AI | iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, all iPhone 16 models and later, iPhone Air and iPhone Duo |
| Customizable Siri voices | iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, iPhone Air and iPhone Duo |
If your iPhone is on the iOS 27 list but not the Siri AI list, you still get the update and its security fixes, just with the older Siri.
Siri AI also needs your device language and Siri language set to the same supported language: English, French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese or Spanish. It is not available on iPhone for Apple Accounts in the European Union or mainland China, and not for anyone under 13.
How to update and turn on Siri AI
- Back up your iPhone first. Our guide shows how to back up your phone and computer the right way.
- Open Settings, tap General, then Software Update, and install iOS 27.
- Open Settings and tap Siri. If Siri is off, tap Turn On Siri first.
- Tap Try Siri AI (Beta).
- Follow the steps to choose a voice, record a few phrases so Siri recognizes you, and review the privacy settings.
Siri AI then downloads in the background. Apple says that during busy periods you may be added to a waitlist first, and wait times vary.
What Siri AI can do that the old Siri could not
- Hold a real conversation. Ask open ended questions, brainstorm, and follow up without repeating yourself.
- Use your personal context. Ask it to find an old photo, a buried email or a note you saved, in your own words.
- Act in your apps. Apple's examples include editing a message you just sent, creating reminders and events, and adding a song to a playlist.
- Answer from the web. It can look things up online for current information.
- Understand your screen. Ask about whatever is showing, or use Siri mode in the Camera app to ask about what is in front of you.
- Write with you. Describe what you need and it drafts text, edits it or gives feedback almost anywhere you type. In Messages and Mail, Apple says it can match your usual tone.
- Remember the conversation. A new Siri app keeps your chats in one place and syncs them through iCloud, so you can start on your iPhone and continue on your iPad or Mac.
A note on limits. Apple says features that run on its servers, including Siri AI, Image Playground and the new photo editing tools, have daily usage limits, and that expanded access will be offered for a fee in the future.
Five other iOS 27 features worth trying first
If a menu name below looks different on your iPhone, swipe down on the main Settings screen and search for the feature.
- Smarter photo fixes. In Photos, Spatial Reframing lets you reframe a shot after taking it, Extend widens a photo, and an improved Clean Up removes larger objects.
- Safari that tidies itself. Safari can automatically group your tabs into topics, and Notify Me watches a page, such as a product listing, and alerts you to a price change or restock.
- A Liquid Glass slider. A new slider lets you set the see through Liquid Glass look anywhere from ultraclear to fully tinted, which helps if text is hard to read.
- Call Context. When you call a business, your iPhone can show related details from your apps, such as a confirmation code from an airline email.
- Stronger parental controls. With Ask to Browse, children must request permission to open new websites, and parents approve in Messages. Communication Safety now also steps in before children see violent or gory images. Pair this with our tip on setting up parental controls for AI chatbots.
Privacy: what to check
Siri AI is useful because it can read your messages, mail, calendar and photos on your behalf. During setup, read the privacy screen instead of tapping through it. Apple says the Siri app syncs your conversation history privately through iCloud. If you would rather not keep a history, look through the Siri settings after setup, and see our tip on checking what your AI chatbot remembers about you for the same habit with other assistants.
Common mistakes
- Assuming every iPhone that runs iOS 27 gets Siri AI. Only iPhone 15 Pro and newer qualify.
- Mismatched languages. If your device is in one language and Siri in another, the Try Siri AI option may not work. Set both to the same supported language.
- Trusting every answer. It is a beta AI assistant. Double check dates, amounts and anything medical, legal or financial.
- Skipping the update for months. iOS 27 also carries security fixes. Turn on automatic updates so you do not have to remember.
Still on iOS 26 for now? Our earlier tip covers 8 useful iOS 26 features that carry over to iOS 27.
Frequently asked questions
Which iPhones get Siri AI?
Apple says Siri AI needs iOS 27 on an iPhone 15 Pro model or later, any iPhone 16 model or later, iPhone Air or iPhone Duo. Older iPhones can still run iOS 27 but keep the previous Siri.
How do I turn on Siri AI?
After updating to iOS 27, open Settings, tap Siri, then tap Try Siri AI (Beta). Follow the steps to pick a voice, record your voice and review the privacy settings. Siri AI then downloads, and you may be put on a short waitlist.
Is Siri AI free?
It comes with iOS 27 on supported iPhones. Apple says features that use its servers, including Siri AI, have daily usage limits, and that expanded access will be offered for a fee in the future.
Which languages does Siri AI support?
Apple lists English, French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish. Your device language and Siri language must be set to the same supported language.
Can I use Siri AI in the European Union?
Not on iPhone for now. Apple says Siri AI is not available for iOS, iPadOS or watchOS for people whose Apple Account region is in the EU.
Can children use Siri AI?
No. Apple says Siri AI is not available for users under 13.