iOS 27 does not automatically include the new Siri AI

Installing iOS 27 does not automatically give users Apple’s headline Siri upgrade, according to TechRadar’s Graham Barlow. The upgrade is called Siri AI (Beta), and access requires a separate waitlist.

Apple’s terminology can make the distinction confusing. iOS 27 adds Apple Intelligence features elsewhere on the iPhone, while existing Writing Tools remain available without Siri AI. New features include Live Translation in Messages, FaceTime and Phone, Call Context, improved Smart Replies, Mail suggestions, suggested polls and Visual Intelligence.

Visual Intelligence can use ChatGPT to answer questions about what the camera sees, search for similar things online using Google, identify plants, translate text and turn dates on posters or flyers into Calendar events. It can also be opened from the Camera Control button. An onscreen version offers tools including Ask, Search, Summarize and Add to Calendar.

These are iOS and Apple Intelligence updates rather than the larger Siri change. Users can apply for Siri AI (Beta) through Settings > Siri by selecting Join waitlist, after which Apple will send a notification if access becomes available.

There are regional limits. Siri AI is not currently available on iPhones or iPads in the European Union, although EU users can access it on Macs and Vision Pro. In mainland China, it is unavailable for users whose Apple Account region is set to China.