iOS 26.2 Lets iPhone Users in Japan Replace Siri With Gemini – Release Date, New Features, and What It Means for iPhone Owners Today (27 November 2025)

Apple’s next iPhone update, iOS 26.2, has quietly turned into one of the most important software releases in years. As of November 27, 2025, new reporting and beta builds confirm two big stories:

For the first time, iPhone users in one country will be able to replace Siri with a third‑party assistant like Google Gemini or Amazon Alexa. ^[1]
iOS 26.2 is shaping up to be a feature‑packed mid‑cycle update, with new AirDrop codes, Urgent Reminders alarms, Lock Screen tweaks, smarter Health data, and upgrades across Apple’s core apps. ^[2]

Here’s a detailed, news‑ready breakdown of everything we know today, plus why this matters far beyond Japan.

iOS 26.2 Release Window and Eligible iPhones

Apple hasn’t pushed the final version of iOS 26.2 yet, but multiple sources and Apple’s own documentation point to a December 2025 rollout. The update is currently in developer and public beta and Apple has confirmed a December release window in recent press materials. ^[3]

A fresh November 27 report from Business Standard reiterates that iOS 26.2 is “likely to be released in December” and details the key features coming to supported devices. ^[4]

According to that report, eligible iPhones include: ^[5]

iPhone 17 family: iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air
iPhone 16 family: 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 16e
iPhone 15, 14, 13, and 12 lineups (all models)
iPhone 11 series
iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)

If your device runs iOS 26 today, it’s almost certain to get iOS 26.2.

Siri Loses Its Exclusive Grip – But Only in Japan (for Now)

The headline change that’s lighting up the tech press: Siri is no longer the only game in town on iPhones in Japan.

The Side Button Becomes a Third‑Party Assistant Launcher

In iOS 26.2 beta 3, Apple added new Side Button behavior that allows users in Japan to map a long‑press of the button to a third‑party “voice‑based conversational app” instead of Siri. ^[6]

Developer documentation cited by MacRumors and others spells it out:

In Japan, people can assign an action to the Side Button that instantly launches a voice‑based conversational app (such as a third‑party assistant). ^[7]

In practice, that means Gemini, Alexa, or another assistant could effectively become the default assistant you trigger with a long press of the Side Button, as long as the app has been updated to support Apple’s new API. ^[8]

Strict Geofencing: Who Actually Gets This?

This is not a global flip‑of‑a‑switch. Apple is tightly geofencing the feature:

You need an Apple ID set to Japan.
Your iPhone must be physically located in Japan.
The assistant you want (e.g., Gemini) must be provided by an app updated to support the new Side Button “voice assistant” entitlement. ^[9]

AppleInsider and other outlets note that this implementation is explicitly tied to Japan’s Mobile Software Competition Act Guidelines, which require platform owners to open key system hooks—like virtual assistant access—to third parties. ^[10]

Why Not the EU or US?

Early leaks led many to assume this was all about the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which also pushes Apple to open core iOS features to rivals. But Apple’s documentation clarifies that the Side Button assistant change is currently only for iPhones in Japan, not Europe or the US. ^[11]

BGR adds that Siri’s major AI overhaul is expected in iOS 26.4 early next year, while the option to switch to Gemini or other assistants arrives earlier—but only under Japan’s regulatory regime. ^[12]

In short:

Siri is no longer untouchable on the iPhone – but the revolution starts (and for now ends) in Japan.

How Replacing Siri With Gemini or Alexa Will Work

There’s a lot of nuance (and a few catches) in how this actually plays out.

1. It’s All About the Side Button Gesture

Today, press and hold on the Side Button always invokes Siri.
On iOS 26.2 in Japan, users will be able to choose a third‑party app that launches instead when that gesture is used. ^[13]
The assistant itself lives entirely inside its app—Apple isn’t handing over full system‑level control to competitors.

2. Developers Must Opt In

You won’t just tap a toggle in Settings to switch from Siri to Gemini on day one:

App developers (Google, Amazon, others) must update their apps to support the new “voice‑based conversational app” intent. ^[14]
Only then can users select those apps as the Side Button target.

Until Google or Amazon ship those updates for Japan, the feature is essentially a framework waiting to be used.

3. Siri Isn’t Completely Gone

From current reporting and Apple’s docs:

The Side Button shortcut can be reassigned, but there’s no clear indication that Siri disappears entirely.
It’s still unclear whether “Hey Siri”/“Siri” voice activation will continue to work in parallel if the Side Button is mapped to Gemini or another assistant. ^[15]

So rather than a full divorce, this looks more like shared custody of your iPhone’s assistant slot—for now.

Why Apple Is Opening the Door: Regulation, Not Just Strategy

Apple is not doing this out of pure love for choice.

Japan’s Mobile Software Competition Act

According to analysis from AppleInsider and BGR:

Japan’s law requires that platform owners like Apple cannot give privileged access to their own services—including voice assistants—if similar access isn’t available to competitors. ^[16]
The rules take effect in December 2025, neatly aligning with Apple’s planned iOS 26.2 release window. ^[17]

The Side Button change is clearly Apple’s way of complying just in time, while still limiting exposure by rolling it out in one market with strict conditions.

A Glimpse of a Multi‑Assistant Future

Meanwhile, a November 27 Business Standard piece on iOS 27 (next year’s major release) notes that Apple is expected to focus on quality, performance, and deeper Apple Intelligence integration, including an AI “Answer Engine” that could rival services like ChatGPT. ^[18]

Taken together, the picture looks like this:

Short term: Japan gets first crack at swapping Siri for rivals via the Side Button in iOS 26.2.
Medium term: Siri itself gets a major AI overhaul in iOS 26.4. ^[19]
Long term: iOS 27 doubles down on Apple Intelligence while Apple edges towards a world where multiple assistants coexist, with Siri still central but no longer the only option.

All the Other Big Features in iOS 26.2

Today’s coverage doesn’t stop at Siri. iOS 26.2 is a substantial feature update in its own right.

1. AirDrop Codes: Safer, Temporary Sharing

MacRumors and Business Standard highlight a new one‑time AirDrop code system: ^[20]

You can generate a single‑use AirDrop code and share it with someone who isn’t in your contacts.
Once redeemed, both devices can share files via AirDrop for up to 30 days, then the link automatically expires.
You can manage these temporary “known AirDrop contacts” in Settings → General → AirDrop.

This is a big privacy and usability upgrade for anyone who shares files with colleagues, clients, or event contacts without wanting to permanently add them.

2. Urgent Reminders With Real Alarms

The Reminders app is getting a serious power‑user feature:

You can mark a reminder as “Urgent” to trigger a full alarm interface, not just a standard notification.
The alarm behaves more like an alarm clock, complete with a 9‑minute snooze, lock‑screen countdown, and Live Activity banner so the task stays visible until you deal with it. ^[21]

Perfect for medication reminders, critical deadlines, or anything you absolutely cannot afford to miss.

3. Liquid Glass Lock Screen Controls

The Lock Screen’s Liquid Glass design is getting more granular control:

A more prominent transparency slider lets you adjust how frosted or clear the clock appears. ^[22]
When you choose the “Tinted” option, iOS now warns that it can’t be used alongside certain Accessibility options (Reduce Transparency and Increase Contrast) and automatically adjusts those settings for you. ^[23]

This is a small tweak but a welcome one for users balancing aesthetics with accessibility.

4. Smarter Sleep Score and Health Data

iOS 26.2 and watchOS 26.2 are recalibrating Sleep Score to better reflect how rested people actually feel:

Score brackets have been shifted and renamed, with the top tier now labeled “Very High” instead of “Excellent”.
Duration, bedtime consistency, and interruptions remain the three main pillars, totalling 100 points. ^[24]

MacRumors also notes that Hypertension Notifications from Apple Watch can now be read via a new API, allowing third‑party health apps to react to high blood pressure alerts. ^[25]

5. App‑by‑App Improvements Across the System

Today’s reporting gives us a long list of quality‑of‑life upgrades arriving with iOS 26.2: ^[26]

Apple Podcasts
- Automatic chapters & “From This Episode” section generated from transcripts via Apple Intelligence.
- Easier navigation to specific segments and links mentioned in a show.
Apple Games app
- New library filters, better controller navigation, and live challenge score updates.
Apple Music
- Offline lyrics so you can follow along even without a data connection.
Apple News
- Refreshed layout with more content at a glance, quick‑access buttons on the Today tab, and a more prominent Following tab.
Freeform
- Support for tables, making it easier to organize structured information visually.
CarPlay (Messages)
- Optional classic chronological view by disabling pinned conversations.
Weather & Passwords
- Code references suggest smarter relative time alerts (e.g., “rain next Tuesday”) and more granular control over where password‑saving prompts appear. ^[27]
AirPods Live Translation in the EU
- Delayed to comply with EU regulations, this feature is now set to arrive with iOS 26.2, supporting recent AirPods models and a wide range of languages. ^[28]

6. Region‑Specific Changes: Japan and Texas

iOS 26.2 is also Apple’s way of threading regulatory needles worldwide:

Japan
- Third‑party assistant access to the Side Button.
- Prompt to choose a default search engine (Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo Japan, Ecosia).
- Support for alternative app marketplaces, mirroring changes the EU has recently seen. ^[29]
Texas (US)
- New tools to comply with the App Store Accountability Act taking effect in 2026, including age verification for new Apple IDs and enhanced parental controls over children’s app access. ^[30]

What This Means for the Future of Siri and Apple Intelligence

The new Side Button option in Japan doesn’t just add convenience; it changes the power dynamic around Siri.

Siri 2.0 Is Still Coming

Reporting referenced by BGR says the big AI “Siri 2.0” revamp is still planned for iOS 26.4 in early 2026, bringing the conversational assistant Apple originally teased at WWDC 2024. ^[31]

That means:

iOS 26.2 is about laying groundwork – both for third‑party assistants and for refining core apps.
Siri isn’t being abandoned; it’s being forced to compete.

iOS 27: A “Snow Leopard”‑Style Cleanup With More AI

A November 27 Business Standard article, echoing Bloomberg’s reporting, describes iOS 27 (expected at WWDC 2026) as a “quality and performance”‑focused release, with: ^[32]

Deep bug‑fixing and performance tuning across the OS.
New Apple Intelligence features like an AI health agent and a World Knowledge Answer Engine that could rival AI search tools.
Optimizations for new hardware categories, including a rumoured foldable iPhone.

If iOS 26.2 is the regulatory and usability update, iOS 27 looks set to be the stability and AI deepening update.

Will Users Outside Japan Ever Be Able to Replace Siri?

That’s the big question.

Current facts:

Apple’s documentation explicitly limits Side Button assistant selection to Japan. ^[33]
EU regulations (DMA) strongly suggest similar functionality may eventually come to European countries, but there’s no confirmed timeline. ^[34]
For now, users in the US, EU, and elsewhere are watching Japan as a test case.

If regulators in other regions push as hard as Japan has, it’s easy to imagine:

More markets getting Side Button access for Gemini, Alexa, and others.
Deeper system hooks (voice wake word, settings integrations) becoming open to third parties over time.

But as of November 27, 2025, nothing beyond Japan has been formally announced.

How to Get Ready for iOS 26.2

Even though the final release isn’t out yet, you can prepare now:

Check your device compatibility
- If you’re on iPhone 11 or newer (or SE 2nd gen+), you’re covered. ^[35]
Free up storage
- Major point updates often require several gigabytes of temporary space. Aim for 10 GB free to be safe.
Back up your iPhone
- Use iCloud Backup or Finder/iTunes on a Mac/PC before updating, especially if you’re tempted to try the beta.
Decide whether to join the beta
- The public beta gives you early access to AirDrop Codes, Urgent Reminders and more—but expect bugs and reduced battery life.
If you’re in Japan (or moving there)
- Ensure your Apple ID region is set to Japan and keep an eye on updates to Gemini, Alexa, and other assistant apps after iOS 26.2 launches.

Quick FAQ: iOS 26.2 and the Siri–Gemini Shake‑Up

Q: When will iOS 26.2 be released?
A: Apple has confirmed a December 2025 release window, and multiple reports today (27 November 2025) say the update is expected to land in mid‑December. ^[36]

Q: Can I replace Siri with Gemini on my iPhone today?
A: Not yet. The feature is tied to iOS 26.2, which is still in beta. Even after release, it will initially be available only in Japan, and only once third‑party apps like Gemini are updated to support the new Side Button assistant entitlement. ^[37]

Q: Will the US or EU get the option to replace Siri?
A: There’s no official confirmation. The EU’s DMA could push Apple in that direction, and earlier reports hinted at EU support, but Apple’s current documentation explicitly mentions Japan only. ^[38]

Q: Is Siri going away?
A: No. Siri remains the default assistant globally and is due for a major AI upgrade with iOS 26.4 in early 2026. iOS 26.2 simply introduces the first scenario where Siri has to compete directly with rivals on the same device. ^[39]

Q: Besides Siri and Gemini, what else is new in iOS 26.2?
A: Key additions include AirDrop codes, Urgent Reminders alarms, a more flexible Liquid Glass Lock Screen, improved Sleep Score, new features in Apple Podcasts, Games, Music, News, Freeform, and region‑specific updates for Japan and Texas. ^[40]

Gemini for iOS: How to Use Gemini on iPhone

Watch this video on YouTube.

References