How to Get New AI-Powered Siri — Join Apple's Waitlist

Apple has launched an early access program for the new Siri, which will gain built-in artificial intelligence capabilities. Owners of compatible Apple devices can join the waitlist if they want to be among the first to try the updated assistant.

What's New About Siri

The updated assistant will work with ChatGPT and local AI models developed by Apple. This will allow Siri to better understand complex context, provide more comprehensive and accurate answers, and most importantly — perform multi-step tasks directly on the device without sending data to servers. Integration with ChatGPT will expand capabilities for very complex queries — such as document analysis or text writing. Meanwhile, routine requests will be processed locally for speed and privacy.

How to Join the Waitlist

The process is straightforward. Open your device settings, find the "Siri & Search" section, then select "New Siri Early Access Program." Alternatively, you can visit Apple's official website in your country and fill out the registration form there.

On the waitlist, you'll be asked to provide some basic information:

• Device model and serial number (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch)
• Current operating system version
• Country of residence
• Active Apple ID for receiving notifications

After registration, you'll receive a notification directly in your device settings when Apple grants you access. This may take from several days to several weeks depending on the program's traffic.

Requirements and Timeline

Participation requires iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, macOS 15.1 or newer. Unfortunately, older devices are not supported — you need relatively recent models: iPhone 15 Pro and higher, Mac with Apple Silicon (starting with Mac mini M1), current iPad Pro and iPad Air.

"The new Siri is designed with a priority on user privacy and on-device processing speed," Apple emphasizes in the program description.

The waitlist is active in the US and is gradually expanding to Europe, Canada, and other regions. Apple will grant access in waves for controlled testing. A full public release of the new Siri capabilities is expected by year-end along with the major operating system update.

What This Means

For users, this means a smarter and more responsive assistant that will work faster, more reliably, and more privately. For developers, new APIs will appear for deep integration of the updated Siri into applications. For the industry, this is further evidence that the boundary between cloud-based and local AI systems is blurring — powerful assistants now work in both places simultaneously, depending on the task.