Editorial illustration for Apple's Siri to support third‑party AI chatbots via new 'Extensions' feature
Siri Opens to Third-Party AI Chatbots with New Extensions
Apple's Siri to support third‑party AI chatbots via new 'Extensions' feature
Why does this matter now? Siri has long been a closed voice assistant, answering queries with Apple‑built models while third‑party bots linger on the sidelines. While the tech is impressive, users have repeatedly asked for choice—especially as competing platforms roll out their own conversational agents.
Here’s the thing: a Bloomberg report says Apple is working on an “Extensions” feature that could let users select which chatbot powers Siri’s responses. The idea is to expose a plug‑in style interface, letting developers register their large‑language models alongside Apple’s native stack. If the plan moves forward, the extension could sit in a new system repository that developers tap into, turning Siri into a hub rather than a silo.
But there’s a catch. Apple has never opened its voice pipeline to external AI before, and the move would require careful integration with iOS privacy safeguards. The upcoming change could reshape how people interact with their iPhones, shifting the assistant from a single voice to a menu of options.
Apple will reportedly allow other AI chatbots to plug into Siri.
Apple will reportedly allow other AI chatbots to plug into Siri A new 'Extensions' feature could allow users to pick which chatbot Siri works with, according to Bloomberg. A new 'Extensions' feature could allow users to pick which chatbot Siri works with, according to Bloomberg. The new system, reportedly called "Extensions," will give users the ability to enable or disable the chatbots they want to connect with Siri on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, Bloomberg reports. The upcoming integrations will also work with the standalone app Apple reportedly plans on launching for its AI-upgraded version of Siri, which is supposed to take action on your behalf across apps.
Apple’s move to open Siri to third‑party chatbots arrives with iOS 27’s new “Extensions” feature, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Users will be able to select a chatbot—Google’s Gemini, Anthropic’s Claude or others—from the App Store and let it generate Siri’s replies, much as the assistant already does with OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The report says the extensions will fetch answers on the fly, effectively swapping the underlying language model while keeping the familiar voice interface.
How the hand‑off will work, and whether Apple will impose any limits on data sharing, remains unclear. Likewise, the impact on response speed or consistency has not been detailed. The announcement suggests Apple is willing to broaden Siri’s capabilities without building its own large‑scale model, but the practical benefits for everyday users are still unproven.
If the extensions function as described, they could give iPhone owners a choice that was previously unavailable; however, the actual user experience will depend on integration quality and any restrictions Apple may apply.
Further Reading
Common Questions Answered
How will Apple's new Siri 'Extensions' feature change user interactions with voice assistants?
The new Extensions feature will allow users to select third-party AI chatbots like Google's Gemini or Anthropic's Claude to power Siri's responses. This approach gives users more flexibility in choosing their preferred AI language model while maintaining Siri's familiar voice interface and interaction style.
Which platforms will support the new Siri chatbot Extensions when they launch?
According to the Bloomberg report, the Siri Extensions feature will be available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices with the upcoming iOS 27 update. Users will be able to enable or disable different chatbots from the App Store, effectively customizing their voice assistant experience.
What technical approach will Apple use to implement third-party chatbot integrations with Siri?
The Extensions feature will fetch answers from selected third-party chatbots in real-time, essentially swapping the underlying language model while preserving Siri's existing voice and interface. This plug-in style integration allows for dynamic, on-the-fly responses from different AI models without fundamentally changing Siri's user experience.