According to AppleInsider, code references in the third iOS 26.2 developer beta suggest Apple may soon let EU users choose their default virtual assistant. The discovery comes from text strings found in Apple’s private Siri framework that indicate users could assign third-party assistants to the Side button press-and-hold gesture. The code specifically mentions “Select Another Default Side Button App” and notes regional restrictions, strongly pointing to this being an EU-only feature. This would mark the first time iPhone users could completely replace Siri with alternatives like Google Gemini or Amazon Alexa. The change appears directly tied to the EU’s Digital Markets Act requirements that gatekeepers must allow users to change default settings including virtual assistants.
Siri Gets Demoted
Here’s the thing – this isn’t just about convenience. It’s about Apple being forced to open up one of its most tightly controlled ecosystems. For years, Siri has been this walled garden that Apple refused to let anyone else play in. Now? They’re basically being told to tear down the walls. The fact that these strings were found in Siri’s own framework is pretty telling – it’s like finding eviction notices in someone’s mailbox.
And honestly, it’s about time. Siri has been lagging behind Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for years. Remember when Apple announced this big Siri overhaul at WWDC 2024? They delayed it to “the coming year” and now engineers are reportedly “concerned” about even the iOS 26.4 update. Meanwhile, users in the EU might soon be able to just… replace Siri entirely. That’s gotta sting in Cupertino.
Why Just the EU?
So why is this only happening in Europe? Basically, the Digital Markets Act is doing what it was designed to do – forcing big tech to play nice. The DMA specifically requires that users be able to “easily change the default settings on the operating system, virtual assistant, and web browser.” Apple’s compliance here isn’t voluntary – it’s mandatory.
But here’s what’s interesting: this could create a two-tier iPhone experience. EU users get choice and flexibility while the rest of the world remains stuck with Siri as the default. That’s going to create some interesting dynamics in the global market. Will users in other regions demand the same options? Probably. And Apple might have to eventually roll this out worldwide just to avoid the appearance of treating customers differently.
Bigger Picture
This isn’t coming out of nowhere. We’ve been seeing hints of Apple opening up to third-party AI for months. The iOS 26.1 beta included support for the Model Context Protocol, and Xcode 26 beta 7 added Anthropic accounts and ChatGPT-5 integration. Apple’s current “solution” of having Siri pass queries to ChatGPT feels like a half-measure compared to what’s coming.
Think about it – right now, if you want to use ChatGPT through Siri, you have to go through Siri first. It’s like having a receptionist who then transfers your call. The new system would cut out the middleman entirely. You press the button, and you’re talking directly to your assistant of choice. That’s a fundamentally different user experience.
Where does this leave Siri? In a pretty awkward position, honestly. If users have the choice between an assistant that’s been consistently criticized and alternatives that have been evolving rapidly, how many will stick with Apple’s offering? This could be the kick in the pants Siri needs to actually improve. Or it could be the beginning of the end for Apple’s first-mover advantage in voice assistants.
