With iOS 27, Siri becomes useful again

Apple’s long-delayed Siri overhaul has arrived with iOS 27, and it makes the assistant more useful for everyday tasks. After largely using Siri only for timers and alarms, the reviewer now relies on it for complex requests and on-screen context.

Apple introduced Apple Intelligence over two years ago and previewed an advanced Siri. After multiple delays, the new version is finally shipping. It is built on Google’s Gemini models and also includes a new logo and transition animation.

Siri can answer questions about World Cup matches, team lineups, and scores, follow multi-step directions, draft and send messages, and use information from files, messages, and email. Its on-screen context can identify details in apps and read text aloud. The Camera app can answer questions about objects in the viewfinder, while Siri can suggest menu items or brewing methods from images.

iOS 27 also gives Siri a dedicated app for previous chats and lets users adjust its voice and expressiveness. Apple Intelligence adds natural-language Shortcuts creation, new Photos tools, improved object removal, Calendar and Notes suggestions, and automatic password changes.

Other updates include cross-app clipboard pasting, adjustable Liquid Glass transparency, and automatic switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data when the wireless connection has problems. Shortcuts can include requests such as showing to-do items every morning at 8 am.