Siri chatbot could arrive in 2026 as part of iOS 19

Siri May Get LLM Backend in 2026

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A new rumor suggests Apple wants to make Siri more conversational by having it use a large backend language model similar to ChatGPT and AI competitors, but it won’t be ready until 2026.

When rumors first surfaced that Apple was tackling AI, one thing was often repeated: Apple wouldn’t release a chatbot. The idea of users conversing with Siri the same way they did with ChatGPT was apparently ruled out for launch.

A lot has changed since then, and according to a Bloomberg report, Apple has begun work on an LLM-based Siri that could debut in iOS 19 in early 2026. The report aligns with an earlier AppleInsider exclusive about Apple’s AI testing tools, which indicate Siri is becoming increasingly tied to Apple’s AI features.

The new Siri will handle two-way conversations. So, combine that with the updated Siri typing experience, and it's easy to see how the Siri chatbot is taking shape.

Apple has yet to tie any real Apple Intelligence features to Siri since Apple's AI debuted in iOS 18.1. There are new animations and fewer misinterpretations, but knowledge of the user and installed apps is still limited.

For the user, Siri hasn't changed much at all and continues to act as a conduit for other tools like Google Search or ChatGPT rather than being useful in its own right. The same structures for managing your home, setting timers, or making calls still apply.

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Moving to an LLM approach from machine learning will give Siri a lot of features and complexity, but it will also increase the likelihood of hallucinations. Apple's approach to AI does help reduce hallucinations, but they haven't eliminated them.

The foundation for a more interactive and proactive Siri is already laid in iOS 18. The new app intent system will provide Siri with parts of an app's functionality and user data on the device to provide incredible contextual awareness — Think of Apple's example of picking up your mom from the airport.

Apple Intelligence is a model that Apple has broken down into operating systems to provide useful tools, but it doesn't have a single, unified interface. The so-called “Siri LLM” could be that unifier as the face of Apple Intelligence.

The iOS 19 update is expected to be unveiled at WWDC 2025 in June. However, if the rumor is true, Siri LLM won't be ready to launch until early 2026.