How to Get Started with Siri AI in iOS 27

What Is Siri AI?

Siri AI is the new version of Siri introduced in iOS 27, and it's a significant shift from the voice assistant iPhone owners are used to. Rather than handling one-off commands, Siri AI supports back-and-forth conversations, similar to AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Claude.

What sets it apart from those chatbots is its access to your own information. Siri AI has private access to personal data such as your messages, emails, photos and apps. When a question goes beyond what's on your device, it can also search the web to find an answer.

Which iPhones Can Run iOS 27 and Siri AI

iOS 27 launched on September 14, 2026, and it supports a wide range of devices, from the iPhone 11 and iPhone SE (2nd generation) all the way through the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

There is an important caveat, though. Most of the new features in iOS 27 require Apple Intelligence and an iPhone 15 Pro or later. If you have an older supported model, you can still install the update and benefit from the under-the-hood performance improvements, which are available on all supported iPhones.

How to Activate Siri AI

Apple offers several ways to start a conversation with Siri AI, so you can pick whichever suits the moment:

• Say the wake word for hands-free access.
• Press the side button to bring up Siri instantly.
• Swipe down from the middle of the screen to type a question, which is handy when speaking aloud isn't practical.
• Open the dedicated Siri app to chat with Siri in a conversation-style interface.

Things to Try with Siri AI

Once you're up and running, here are some ways to put Siri AI's new capabilities to work:

• Create home automations without digging through settings yourself.
• Find specific emails, messages, photos, links and files by simply describing what you're looking for.
• Delete files, emails, photos or messages to tidy up your device.
• Add recipe items to a shopping list so you're ready for your next grocery run.
• Get recommendations for activities and places when you need ideas.
• Ask questions about what's currently on your screen for quick context on whatever you're viewing.

Bonus: Another Handy iOS 27 Addition

Siri AI isn't the only upgrade worth noticing. iOS 27 also adds a paste shortcut above the keyboard. Better still, the shortcut shows a preview of your clipboard contents before you paste, so you can confirm you're dropping in the right text without any guesswork.