Apple has begun rolling out in the iOS 3 beta 26.2 the technical basis for one of the most significant changes in iPhone history: the ability to Replace Siri as the default assistant via the side button. For now, this functionality will be limited exclusively to the users from Japan, in response to new regulatory obligations approved in the country.
More AI advancements in iOS 26.2… but only in Japan
The internal code of the update appears multiple references to a future default assistant selection systemThese texts directly point to a different behavior for the side button, which would no longer be reserved solely for activating Siri with a long press. Phrases mentioning the configuration of a alternative applicationError messages for unsupported apps and warnings related to regional restrictions.
The fragments found belong to Siri's private frameworks, leaving no doubt: Apple is preparing the ability to select assistants such as Google Gemini, Amazon Alexa, or other third-party developments so they activate when you press and hold the side button on the iPhone. The company has confirmed that this option will only be available for Japanese accounts registered in Japan.
The reason is straightforward. In August, the country passed the Mobile Software Competition Act, a law that requires mobile platform manufacturers to to provide equal access to essential operating system functions, including voice assistants. The text prohibits companies like Apple from prioritizing their own service in key interactions with hardware—exactly the kind of exclusivity Siri has enjoyed until now. The new rules take effect in December 2025, so the timeline aligns perfectly with the introduction of this new feature in iOS 26.2.
But only in Japan
Although it was initially speculated that this feature would also arrive in Europe, Apple has clarified that, for now, it will only be available in Japan. Even so, the European Union's regulatory framework, particularly through the Digital Markets Act, could force a similar move in the future. European regulations require that so-called gatekeepers allow third-party developers access to the same hardware and software capabilities used by the native assistant, as well as make it easier for users to change the system's default settings.
For now, There is no timeline for the possible expansion of this functionality. Beyond the Japanese market, iOS 26.2 will only allow users to choose an alternative assistant to Siri on devices linked to a Japanese Apple ID and physically located in Japan, leaving the rest of the world waiting for regulations or Apple itself to drive the change.
