Expectations around the Siri upgrade in iOS 26.4 may need to be reset. While Apple previously signaled that a more advanced, AI-driven version of its voice assistant was on the way, recent reports suggest that the most ambitious features are unlikely to arrive in the upcoming update.
In 2024, Apple described what it called the beginning of a new era for Siri, centered on deeper contextual awareness, better integration with personal data, and expanded in-app actions. The plan was to move Siri closer to the capabilities seen in newer generative AI assistants, with more natural interactions and the ability to execute multi-step tasks across apps. However, turning that roadmap into a stable release appears to be taking longer than anticipated.
Internal builds of iOS 26.4 reportedly face reliability and performance issues, prompting Apple to reconsider what will ship in the next public release. Instead of delivering a fully AI-enabled Siri overhaul in one update, the company is said to be splitting the rollout across multiple versions of iOS. Some of the more complex features are now being tested in iOS 26.5, which is expected around May, while others may slip further into iOS 27 later this year.
One of the features at risk of delay is Siri’s expanded access to personal data. This would allow the assistant to draw from messages, emails, and other on-device content to fulfill detailed requests. Another technically demanding component involves improved app intents, enabling Siri to understand context-rich commands such as sending a drafted email to specific contacts without requiring step-by-step prompts. Early testing reportedly shows these features working inconsistently.
If accurate, this would leave iOS 26.4 as a more incremental update. A developer beta is still expected later this month, but any Siri improvements may be limited to refinements rather than a structural transformation.
The delays highlight the broader challenge Apple faces in the generative AI race. Competitors such as Google and OpenAI have already integrated large language models into consumer-facing assistants, setting a higher baseline for conversational performance. Apple has reportedly explored partnerships to accelerate its AI efforts, but integration into a system-level assistant like Siri presents additional complexity, particularly around privacy and on-device processing.
For now, Apple has not publicly confirmed which AI features will ship in iOS 26.4. The company has only stated that new Siri capabilities will arrive “in the coming year.” Until a stable build demonstrates otherwise, the long-promised AI upgrade to Siri appears to be progressing more cautiously than many had expected.
