Google has confirmed that Apple’s upcoming Siri overhaul will use Gemini technology, marking a formal acknowledgment of a long-developing partnership between the two companies. The confirmation came during Google Cloud Next 2026 in Las Vegas, where Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian referenced Apple’s use of Gemini-based models to support the next generation of Apple Intelligence features, including a more advanced Siri expected in 2026.
Kurian described Apple as a key customer using Google Cloud as its preferred provider while building Apple Foundation Models based on Gemini technology. These models are intended to support Apple Intelligence features across devices, with Siri positioned as the most visible upgrade in the pipeline. Apple has not updated its official timeline, but Google’s statement reinforces that development is actively underway.
Apple first introduced its updated Siri vision at WWDC 2024, where it was positioned as a context-aware assistant capable of understanding on-screen content, executing app-level actions, and handling multi-step requests. That version did not ship as planned. By early 2025, Apple acknowledged delays linked to accuracy and reliability challenges, pushing the rollout into 2026 without committing to a specific date.
In practical terms, Siri is expected to remain the user-facing assistant, while Gemini handles much of the underlying reasoning. This setup is designed to improve how Siri processes complex instructions, maintains context across interactions, and connects actions across multiple apps in a single flow.
One of the biggest unanswered questions is how Apple will structure the infrastructure behind this system. Apple has built its Apple Intelligence framework around Private Cloud Compute, which keeps user data within Apple-controlled systems. At the same time, reports suggest the company has explored using Google Cloud infrastructure or running Gemini models in controlled environments to support Siri’s increased workload. Neither company has confirmed how this will be finalized.
On timing, Apple continues to position the upgrade within 2026. Industry expectations point toward WWDC 2026 on June 8 as the first public preview, likely tied to iOS 27. Early versions of the updated Siri experience could be shown to developers at that event, with a wider rollout expected later in the year alongside new hardware and software releases.
This rollout approach aligns with Apple’s recent strategy for Apple Intelligence features, where capabilities are introduced gradually rather than in a single major release cycle.
Feature expectations for the updated Siri focus on more natural interaction and better task handling across apps. Instead of isolated voice commands, Siri is expected to support chained requests, improved context retention, and more fluid transitions between actions. Some reports also suggest Apple has tested a more conversational interface with persistent interactions, though these details remain unconfirmed.
