Siri AI and iOS 27: Why the New Siri Is Missing in the EU
Image: Kārlis Dambrāns / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
In short: With iOS 27, released on 14 September 2026, Apple introduced Siri AI, a voice assistant rebuilt from the ground up with its own app. According to Apple it is not initially available in the EU. Apple blames the Digital Markets Act (DMA), while the European Commission says the responsibility lies with Apple. There is no European launch date. Other Apple Intelligence features do work in German.
What is Siri AI?
According to Apple, Siri AI understands natural language and context. Its features include:
- a dedicated Siri app for typing and conversation history
- personal context drawn from Messages, Calendar or Mail
- actions inside apps
- Visual Intelligence for questions about what the camera or screen shows
It runs on Apple Intelligence devices, including the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone Duo.
Why is it missing in the EU?
The DMA is an EU law for "gatekeeper" platforms such as iOS. Among other things it requires interoperability, meaning rivals must get comparable access to operating-system features.
In June 2026 Apple said these rules would force it to give third-party assistants access to private data and app control without adequate safeguards. Apple says it proposed a "Trusted System Agent" and an 18-month rollout, and that the Commission rejected both. The Commission, as reported by Reuters and AP, says Apple failed to offer compliant interoperability and asked for an exemption the law does not provide. In its view the DMA does not ban new products, and the decision to withhold Siri AI is Apple's alone.
What still works in Germany
| Feature | Available in the EU? |
|---|---|
| Siri AI (new Siri, Siri app) | not for now |
| classic Siri (timers, calls, HomeKit commands) | yes |
| Apple Intelligence in German | yes |
| image tools, Image Playground | yes, with daily limits for cloud features |
The smart home
Apple Home scenes, automations and simple voice commands keep working, built on Matter and Thread. Complex conditional requests would be easier with Siri AI. In the EU you still set them up as automations in the Home app.
Alternatives
- ChatGPT voice mode, which has run on GPT-6 since 7 October 2026 (see GPT-6 explained)
- Google Gemini app
- Amazon Alexa for smart-home control
None of them integrate as deeply into iOS as Siri, and that is exactly what the DMA dispute is about. More in voice assistants.
Verdict
Siri AI remains unavailable in the EU, with no end to the dispute in sight. Classic Siri and German-language Apple Intelligence remain usable.
Sources
