Apple Prepares More Capable Siri Update Using Google’s Gemini Technology, Expected in iOS 26.4

Apple is preparing to release a significantly upgraded version of Siri in the upcoming iOS 26.4 update, with the company confirming that the improvements will be powered in part by Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence models. The update, expected in early spring, marks one of the most substantial steps in Apple’s broader effort to modernise its voice assistant and strengthen its position in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

The next-generation Siri will introduce enhanced contextual understanding, improved on-screen awareness, and deeper integration with core apps, such as Mail, Messages, and Calendar. According to reporting from Bloomberg and other outlets, the upgrade is designed to make Siri more responsive and capable of handling multi‑step tasks, personalised queries, and more natural conversational exchanges.

Apple confirmed its partnership with Google earlier this month, stating that Gemini provides “the most capable foundation” for the company’s Apple Foundation Models, which underpin the new Siri features. The company said the collaboration will help unlock “innovative new experiences” for users, though Apple emphasised that the upgraded assistant will continue to operate within its established privacy framework.

The iOS 26.4 update is expected to deliver features first previewed at Apple’s WWDC 2024 event, including the ability for Siri to analyse on‑screen content and draw from personal data stored in apps to provide more relevant responses. Reports also indicate that the new system will rely on an Apple‑developed model built on top of Google’s Gemini technology, operating at a scale of roughly 1.2 trillion parameters.

Industry analysts note that the upgrade is significant for Apple users, many of whom have seen competing assistants—such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini—advance rapidly in recent years. The update is also viewed as a strategic move for Apple as it prepares for a more extensive Siri overhaul planned for iOS 27 later in 2026, which is expected to introduce full conversational chatbot capabilities.

If released on schedule, iOS 26.4 is expected to arrive between March and May, ahead of Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June. The update is expected to be available for all iPhone 11 models and newer.