Apple's Siri can be replaced – initially in Japan and via the side button
Apple is complying with a directive from the Japanese government and will soon make it possible to directly access Siri alternatives.
Apple's Siri: Built-in competition in the future?
(Image: Koshiro K / Shutterstock)
Apple is allowing a direct alternative to Siri on the iPhone in a first global region. Following a directive from the Japanese antitrust authorities, it will be possible with iOS 26.2, expected to be released in December, to assign another AI assistant system to the smartphone's side button. After initial hints in the third developer beta of iOS 26.2, Apple has now also officially confirmed in a developer document. “Let people in Japan configure the iPhone side button to launch your voice-based conversational app,” the company states.
Direct access to the AI assistant
Even now, the action button (available from iPhone 16) can be used to launch specific apps, including via shortcuts—voice assistants are among these. But in Japan, it will now be even easier to launch voice assistant systems as the side button, available on all iPhones, can be used. Currently, only Siri can be launched this way. An audio session can also be activated immediately, meaning an app is listening for user commands. Apple explains exactly how developers need to proceed to implement the functions.
As is typical for the company, there are $(LEhttps://developer.apple.com/documentation/BundleResources/Entitlements/com.apple.developer.side-button-access.allow:so-called entitlements|_blank) that must first be requested to enable the feature. It is currently unclear which applications will use the function. It is conceivable, for example, that Meta AI or Google Gemini could be assigned to the iPhone side button. However, there have been no announcements yet. It is possible that Japan as a single market is still too small for the providers.
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Other countries: Depends on regulation
As mentioned, the feature is in the third beta of iOS 26.2. However, Apple provides no information on when the feature will be officially released. Interested developers should also familiarize themselves with the App Intents framework. “In Japan, users may assign an action to the iPhone's side button that launches your voice-based conversational app immediately. Users will then expect the voice-based conversational functionality to be available immediately when they launch your app using the side button. Therefore, ensure that they can use it immediately by starting an audio session—for example, with AVFoundation,” Apple further explains.
How exactly the side button will be configured is also still unclear; this would then have to be done via system settings. Whether and when the function will come to other countries likely depends on regulation. Apple will likely not allow Siri alternatives voluntarily. Apple now offers alternative app marketplaces in 29 countries.
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