Apple is preparing to give users in the European Union (EU) the ability to set a third-party voice assistant as default on iPhones, replacing Siri. This significant change comes as Apple faces ongoing criticism over Siri’s limitations and struggles in delivering a competitive AI experience, which have even led to legal challenges.
According to analyst Mark Gurman, this upcoming feature won’t be limited to iPhones — it will also extend to iPads and Macs sold within the EU. The change aligns with Apple’s broader effort to comply with EU digital market regulations and avoid monopoly accusations by allowing greater user choice within its ecosystem.
With this move, users will reportedly be able to set more advanced and AI-powered assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Gemini as the default voice assistant on their Apple devices.
Currently, Apple restricts voice assistant functionality to Siri, limiting direct competition within its ecosystem. This update would mirror what Apple has already done for browsers in iOS, where third-party web browsers can now be set as the default, as well as setting default Maps applications from other companies (Google, for example) and also selecting default third-party Messaging apps.
Although Apple has not officially confirmed this feature or provided a launch timeline, the initiative demonstrates the company’s attempt to meet regulatory requirements and adapt to increasing pressure from EU authorities over fair market practices.
This change could further reduce Siri’s relevance in the Apple ecosystem, particularly in Europe, where users may prefer more intelligent and capable AI assistants. The impact could be significant for the future of Siri, especially if Apple does not make major improvements to its functionality.
While Apple remains silent for now, the anticipated update marks a notable shift in the company’s approach to openness — at least within the boundaries of the EU — and reflects growing regulatory influence over digital platform operators.
Filed in . Read more about AI (Artificial Intelligence), Amazon Alexa, Apple, Europe, Siri and Voice Assistant.
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