Siri AI: how to get Apple's new Siri in the UK, and what it can actually do

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Apple UK Apple Intelligence and Siri page introducing Siri AI, the new Siri in iOS 27

Siri AI is Apple's rebuilt Siri in iOS 27: a chatbot-style assistant that understands your screen and personal data and can take actions across your apps. It is for anyone with an iPhone 15 Pro or later, a recent iPad or an M1 Mac or newer. It costs nothing during the beta, with daily usage limits. It works in the UK in English, including British English, but not on iPhones in the EU. Know this first: Apple still labels it a beta, so check what it does before you rely on it.

Last updated 21 October 2026. Written by Annie, a search and digital marketing specialist. Based on official documentation, pricing pages and video tutorials; I have not tested it hands-on. See the editorial policy.

Key facts

  • What it is: A rebuilt, conversational Siri that reads your screen and personal data and acts in apps
  • Made by: Apple, using foundation models built in collaboration with Google
  • Price: Free during the beta, with daily usage limits; Apple says extra access will cost a fee later, with no price yet (as of 18 October 2026)
  • Free plan or trial: Yes, the beta is free on supported devices
  • Runs on: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro
  • What you need: iPhone 15 Pro or later, an M1 iPad or Mac or later (or iPad mini A17 Pro, MacBook Neo), with device and Siri language set to English
  • Open source: No
  • Available in the UK: Yes, in English, as of 18 October 2026; not on iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch in the EU
  • Best for: Apple users who want help finding and acting on things in their own messages, mail, photos and apps
  • Official site: apple.com/uk/apple-intelligence
Siri AI at a glance: free during the beta with daily limits, runs on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Vision Pro, available in the UK in English, not open source, best for Apple users who want help acting on their own messages, mail, photos and apps
The new Siri at a glance. Availability checked against Apple's pages on 18 October 2026.

On this page

What is Siri AI?

Siri AI is Apple's official name for the new Siri; its support pages call it "Siri AI (Beta)". It is the more personal Siri Apple first previewed at WWDC 2024 and then delayed. Apple announced it on 8 June 2026 and released it to the public with iOS 27 on 14 September 2026.

In plain terms, it is a chatbot inside your devices that can do things, not just answer. Apple doesn't call it an agent, but its app actions lean towards agentic AI (see agents versus chatbots).

Apple's support page lists these main abilities, among others:

  • Personal context: it searches your Messages, Mail, Calendar, Notes, Reminders and photos, so you can ask for that hotel confirmation in an old email.
  • Onscreen awareness: it answers questions about what is on your screen and acts on it.
  • App actions: it sends messages, creates events and works in apps such as Music and Reminders, plus other apps whose developers support Apple's App Intents system.
  • World knowledge: it searches the web for up-to-date answers.
  • The Siri app: keeps your conversations and syncs them through iCloud, so you can start on an iPhone and finish on a Mac.

It also writes and edits text almost anywhere you type, and a Siri mode in the iPhone Camera app sees what you point at.

How it works. Simple requests run on your device using Apple's AFM 3 Core models; harder ones go to Apple's Private Cloud Compute servers. Google helped build the models; see privacy below.

Is Siri AI available in the UK?

Yes. As of 18 October 2026, Siri AI works in the UK on supported devices, as long as your device and Siri are both set to English.

What Apple's own pages confirm:

  • Apple's iOS 27 feature availability page says Siri AI is available in English, excluding only mainland China and the European Union.
  • The same page lists Siri AI's Expressive Voices in English (United Kingdom).
  • Apple's How to get Siri AI page says your Apple Account must be in an eligible region, with device and Siri language matching.
  • Apple's Apple TV 4K announcement (13 October) names the UK among Siri AI's launch countries on Apple TV.

The EU is different. Apple's footnote reads: "Siri AI will not be initially available in the EU on iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS." EU residents can use it on a Mac or Vision Pro, set to English. Apple gives no date and blames the EU's Digital Markets Act, which doesn't apply in the UK.

Travelling? Apple says Siri AI keeps working abroad once it is on.

Other languages. French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish are in the iOS 27.2 beta; Apple said on 9 September they would arrive in October.

What's new in Siri AI in October 2026?

  • 16 October: 9to5Mac said iOS 27.2 is launching soon. Beta 4 adds switches for Siri's Messages suggestions (Settings, Apps, Messages, Suggested Actions).
  • 14 October: Apple confirmed Siri AI is not coming to the original HomePod mini. Bloomberg reported Apple Intelligence will reach China in December without Siri AI.
  • 13 October: Apple released iOS 27.2 beta 4, which keeps the five new Siri AI languages first added in beta 1. Apple also announced HomeView ($299) and a new Apple TV 4K, both due 13 November with Siri AI in beta; HomePod mini 2 ($149) gets it in a later update.
  • 7 October: 9to5Mac expected iOS 27.2, with the five new languages, around the week of 26 October. Apple has only said "October".
  • 5 October: Apple released iOS 27.2 beta 3; 9to5Mac found code for switching off individual Messages suggestions.

In September, Apple released Siri AI on the 14th, with iOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate and the other 27 updates.

Is Siri AI free? How much does it cost in the UK?

Yes, Siri AI is free as of 18 October 2026 on any supported device. The catch is limits: Apple's feature availability notes say server-based features, including Siri AI, have daily limits, and its usage limits page says increased access will be available for a fee. Apple has not said how much.

Apple Support page on Apple Intelligence usage limits, showing whether Siri AI is free
Apple's usage limits page, which says extra Siri AI access will cost a fee in future, on 18 October 2026. Screenshot: aiagents.org.uk.
OptionUS priceUK priceWhat you get
Siri AI (beta)$0£0Everything Siri AI does, with daily limits on requests that use Apple's servers
Expanded accessNot announcedNot announcedHigher limits for a fee; Engadget reported on 9 September that iCloud+ plans will get higher limits

Hidden costs:

  • A compatible device. The cheapest new iPhone Apple sells that runs Siri AI is the iPhone 17e, from £699 including VAT on Apple's UK store (18 October 2026).
  • The best voices need newer hardware. Expressive Voices need an iPhone Air, 17 Pro, 18 Pro or iPhone Duo, an M4 or later iPad or M3 or later Mac with at least 12GB of memory, or Vision Pro (M5).

Compare paid assistants in what AI agents cost in the UK.

Which devices support Siri AI?

From Apple's UK Apple Intelligence page and support pages, as of 18 October 2026:

What you need for the new Siri: an iPhone 15 Pro or later, an M1 iPad or Mac or later, device and Siri language set to English, free in the beta with daily limits, available in the UK but not on iPhone, iPad or Watch in the EU
What you need before the new Siri will work for you. Checked against Apple's pages on 18 October 2026.
  • iPhone: iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, every iPhone 16 (including 16e), iPhone 17, 17e, 17 Pro and Pro Max, iPhone Air, iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, and iPhone Duo.
  • iPad: iPad Pro and iPad Air with M1 or later, and iPad mini (A17 Pro).
  • Mac: any Mac with M1 or later, plus MacBook Neo (A18 Pro), on macOS 27 Golden Gate.
  • Apple Watch: Series 9 or later, Ultra 2 or later and SE 3, paired with a supported iPhone that has Siri AI on.
  • Apple Vision Pro: any model, on visionOS 27.

You also need to be 13 or over, with the 27 software, an Apple Account in an eligible region and an internet connection, but no technical skills. Buying a Mac for AI? See the best Mac for local AI.

How do you set up Siri AI?

These steps come from Apple's support pages, which say they apply to iPhone, iPad and Mac ("tap or click").

Apple Support UK page explaining how to get Siri AI and turn on Try Siri AI (Beta) in Settings
Apple's 'How to get Siri AI' support page, with the official setup steps, on 18 October 2026. Screenshot: aiagents.org.uk.
  1. Check your device is on the list above.
  2. Back up, then update. Go to Settings, then General, then Software Update, and tap Download and Install. Success is iOS 27 or later.
  3. Set your device language. In Settings, then General, then Language & Region, make English your primary language. I would pick English (UK) for British spellings.
  4. Set Siri's language to match. Go to Settings, then Siri, then Language, and choose the same English.
  5. Turn on Siri AI. Go to Settings, tap Siri, then tap Try Siri AI (Beta). If Siri is off, tap Turn On Siri first.
  6. Follow the prompts to pick a voice, record your voice and review privacy. 9to5Mac reports a "Share Audio and Text" or "Not Now" choice for model training; Not Now opts out.
  7. Wait for the waitlist. Wait times vary, and Siri AI downloads by itself when your turn comes.
  8. Check it worked. Siri settings show that you are using Siri AI (Beta).

On a Mac you need macOS 27 Golden Gate. On Apple Watch, turn Siri AI on on the paired iPhone first. In the EU, Siri AI isn't offered on iPhone; use a Mac or Vision Pro.

How do you use Siri AI? First things to try

Start where a mistake costs nothing. These are based on Apple's own examples.

  1. Find something a friend sent: "What was the restaurant Sam recommended in Messages last month?"
  2. Dig out a booking: "Find my hotel confirmation number for Edinburgh."
  3. Ask about your screen: with a recipe showing, say "Add this to my shopping list in Reminders."
  4. Change your diary: "Move Friday's lunch with Priya to a coffee at 3pm."
  5. Fix a message: "Edit the message I just sent to say half seven, not seven."
  6. Use the camera: open Siri mode in Camera, point at your plate and ask "What's the nutrition in this?"
  7. Write with Siri: in any text box, ask "Make this email shorter and more polite."
  8. Try a multi-step job: "Find my flight date in my email, check the drive time to the airport and save both to a note."

What can't Siri AI do yet?

The beta label is honest. As of 18 October 2026:

  • English only in public releases; five more languages are in the iOS 27.2 beta.
  • No iPhone, iPad or Watch version in the EU.
  • A waitlist after you turn it on.
  • Patchy third-party apps. It only works inside other apps when developers add support; MacStories found it read Apple Mail instead of the Spark email app.
  • Mistakes. MacStories's review found it at first refused to open a note it had just made, couldn't rename or move files in Finder, and played a podcast instead of an album.
  • Usage limits, with a paid tier promised but unpriced.

Best Siri AI video tutorials

Video: Apple Support on YouTube.

Apple Support's own short video shows how to turn on Siri AI and find your way round the new Siri app.

VideoChannelLengthUploadedBest for
How to get Siri AIApple Support (official)3:4014 Sept 2026Turning it on and the Siri app
iOS 27: How Apple's New Siri AI Can See and Search Your iPhoneThe Wall Street Journal4:2314 Sept 2026Screen, camera and personal data, with starter prompts
Getting Started With Siri AI In macOS Golden Gatemacmostvideo (MacMost)14:4417 Sept 2026Using Siri AI on a Mac
iOS 27 - Replace Siri AI With ChatGPTiDeviceHelp2:3628 Aug 2026Switching the Siri app to ChatGPT
Apple WWDC 2026 June 8: Introducing Siri AI and moreApple (official)1:16:148 June 2026Apple's full launch; Siri starts at 27:53

Watch Apple's guide first, then the WSJ video for ideas of what to ask; Mac users should add MacMost's walkthrough.

LinkWhat it's for
Apple Intelligence and Siri (UK)Apple's overview and supported devices
Apple introduces Siri AIThe 8 June 2026 announcement
How to get Siri AIOfficial setup steps, requirements and regions
iOS 27 feature availabilityLanguages and countries for each feature
Apple Intelligence usage limitsDaily limits and future fees
Third generation Apple Foundation ModelsThe models behind Siri AI and where they run
Ask Siri, Dictation and PrivacyWhat Siri stores and for how long

Is Siri AI safe? Privacy, security and UK GDPR

Siri AI makes stronger privacy promises than the other big assistants, but it also reads more of your life than most. I would use it, with the training prompt declined and actions double-checked.

What it can reach. Your messages, mail, calendar, notes, photos and screen. Apple says the search index of your data stays on the device.

Where requests go. Hard requests go to Private Cloud Compute. Apple says data sent there is never stored, is used only for your request, isn't accessible to Apple, and that outside experts can verify this. Apple's model page (8 June 2026) says its most capable server model, AFM 3 Cloud Pro, runs on Private Cloud Compute extended to NVIDIA chips in Google Cloud, with the same guarantees.

The Google Gemini link. On 12 January 2026, Apple and Google said in a joint statement that Apple's next foundation models would be based on Gemini models and Google cloud technology. Apple now describes them as built in collaboration with Google, and says they run only on your device and Private Cloud Compute.

Training is opt-in. Apple says personal data and chats train its models only if you agree. 9to5Mac reports the switch is Improve Siri & Apple Intelligence, under Settings, Privacy & Security, Analytics & Improvements.

What Siri keeps. Apple's Siri AI setup screen says Siri data is tied to a random, rotating identifier rather than your Apple Account, and audio is shared with Apple only if you opt in; see the Siri privacy page for how long it's kept. Siri app chats sync through iCloud: delete them in the Siri app, and set how long they're kept in Settings, Siri, Keep Conversations.

ChatGPT is separate. If you switch a Siri app chat to ChatGPT, your request and any attachments go to OpenAI, not Private Cloud Compute. In its own app, OpenAI trains on Free, Plus and Pro chats by default.

Accuracy is the real risk. The problems reported in the coverage checked for this guide are mistakes, not leaks, so confirm before Siri sends or changes anything.

The UK GDPR angle. Apple's privacy policy says UK users' data is controlled by Apple Distribution International in Ireland, with transfers out of the UK covered by standard contractual clauses. Using it for client work? Read our guide to AI agents and UK GDPR.

Siri AI vs Gemini, Alexa+, ChatGPT and Meta Muse

As of 18 October 2026. "About" figures convert dollars at $1 = £0.75.

AssistantUK priceWorks in the UKActs in your appsTraining on your chats
Siri AIFree beta with daily limits; paid tier promisedYes, in EnglishApple's apps plus apps that support App IntentsOnly if you opt in
Gemini on AndroidFree; Google AI Pro £18.99 a month (VAT not stated)YesCan "Ask about screen" on AndroidYes while Keep activity is on
Alexa+Free in Early Access; £19.99 a month later, free with PrimeYes, Early Access since 19 March 2026Bookings, shopping and smart home on Echo and Fire TVNot stated in Amazon's UK launch post
ChatGPTFree; Plus $20 a month (about £15, VAT not stated)YesMainly inside ChatGPT; selectable in the Siri appYes by default on Free, Plus and Pro
Meta MuseFree; paid plans for heavier useNo, US and Canada onlyIts own cloud computerYes, on by default

With a recent iPhone, start with Siri AI: it's free, already there and makes the strongest privacy promises. Gemini gives Android owners similar screen help, and Alexa+ suits a voice-first home. For deeper research, see our ChatGPT agents guide; Meta Muse isn't available here. Our personal AI assistant guide compares more.

Who should use Siri AI?

Siri AI suits UK owners of an iPhone 15 Pro or newer who want help finding things in their messages and mail, tidying their diary and drafting replies. It also suits privacy-minded people and small firms already on Apple kit; see AI agents for UK small businesses.

Skip it, or wait, if you need another language today, use an iPhone in the EU, rely on third-party apps that don't support Siri yet, or need it right every time. For AI that never leaves your hardware, run AI agents on your Mac instead.

Frequently asked questions

Is Siri AI available in the UK?

Yes. As of 18 October 2026, Siri AI works in the UK on supported iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches and Vision Pro. Apple's feature availability page excludes only the EU and mainland China, and lists Siri AI voices in English (United Kingdom). Your device and Siri language must both be English, with your Apple Account in an eligible region.

Which iPhones get Siri AI?

Siri AI needs iOS 27 on an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, any iPhone 16 or 17 model, iPhone Air, iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone Duo. The standard iPhone 15, 15 Plus and older models don't get Siri AI. The new Expressive Voices need an iPhone Air, 17 Pro, 18 Pro or iPhone Duo.

Is Siri AI free?

Yes. Siri AI is free during the beta on supported Apple devices, as of 18 October 2026. Apple sets daily limits on requests that use its servers and says increased access will cost a fee in future, without naming a price. Engadget reported that iCloud+ plans will get higher Siri AI limits.

How do I turn on Siri AI?

Update to iOS 27 and set your device and Siri language to the same English. Then go to Settings, tap Siri and tap Try Siri AI (Beta), and follow the prompts to pick a voice and review privacy settings. Apple adds you to a Siri AI waitlist, and Siri AI downloads automatically when your turn comes.

Does Siri AI use Google Gemini?

Behind the scenes, partly. Apple and Google said on 12 January 2026 that Apple's next foundation models would be based on Gemini and Google cloud technology, and Apple says the models behind Siri AI were built in collaboration with Google. Siri AI is still Apple's assistant, not the Gemini app, and Apple says requests run on your device or Private Cloud Compute.

Is Siri AI safe and private?

Siri AI is one of the more private assistants. Apple says Private Cloud Compute never stores your data, training is opt-in, and Siri history is tied to a random identifier, not your Apple Account. The bigger risk is accuracy: Siri AI is in beta and makes mistakes, so check its actions.

Can I use Siri AI in the EU or on holiday?

If you turned it on in the UK, yes: Apple says Siri AI keeps working when you travel to other regions. EU residents can't yet use Siri AI on iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch, but can on a Mac with macOS 27 Golden Gate or on Vision Pro, set to English.

Can I still use ChatGPT with Siri AI?

Yes. The Siri app defaults to Siri AI, but 9to5Mac reports you can long-press the input field, tap "Ask…" and pick ChatGPT. Context doesn't carry across, so ChatGPT can't see your Siri chat. Anything you send to ChatGPT, including attachments, goes to OpenAI rather than Apple's Private Cloud Compute.

Sources

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