The long-awaited overhaul of Siri is already two years later than planned. Even so, it will still be beta software when it does actually arrive.

Back in WWDC 2024, Apple introduced its new Siri with contextual awareness and other major improvements for the digital assistant. However, while it ultimately didn't arrive later in the year in iOS 18, and didn't even make it to iOS 26, it is now expected to turn up in iOS 27.

However, despite Apple having an extra two years to work on the new AI-infused Siri, it won't be a fully completed product release. According to Mark Gurman in Sunday's "Power On" newsletter for Bloomberg, it will be arriving as a "beta" release.

A test version of iOS 27 being trialled internally before WWDC includes a toggle to turn off the new Siri experience. Disabling it will revert back to the current Siri.

However, while this will be used in the developer builds after WWDC, it apparently won't be limited to that. When the public release of the 27-generation operating systems happens in the fall, it is believed Apple will retain the button at first.

If true this means Siri will be beta software when it comes time for it to be used by all iPhone and iPad users.

It's a move that won't inspire confidence in New Siri, especially if Apple deems it beta after working on it for so long.

A turbulent arrival

Apple's development of New Siri has been a slow and painfully public process for the historically secretive company.

After a horrific period, Apple software chief Craig Federighi eventually took control of the AI teams in January. The same month, Apple confirmed a multi-year dealwith Google will help speed up the development of Apple Foundation Models.

However, Apple is still dealing with the typical churn of engineers in its AI teams, as they move to new and more lucrative opportunities. In February, it was reported Apple was still struggling with internal testing of Siri.

Despite all of this, there is still a general belief that Apple will finally get a usable version of New Siri out of its labs sometime in 2026.