iOS 26.2 Lets iPhone Users in Japan Replace Siri With Third-Party Assistants on Side Button

[MacRumors]

Following signs of new Side Button functionality in the iOS 26.2 beta 3 update, Apple developer documentation has confirmed that assigning a third-party voice assistant to the Side Button will be a feature available to iPhone users in Japan.

Developers are able to set up an App Intents framework that will allow voice-based conversational apps to be launched directly from the Side Button in Japan.

Right now, a long press on the Side Button activates Siri, and there is no option to change that. Japanese iPhone users will soon be able to select a new default, opting to activate Alexa, Gemini, or another voice assistant instead. App developers will need to expressly adopt this functionality for Side Button access to be available to consumers.

From Apple's developer documentation:

In Japan, people might place an action on the side button of iPhone that instantly launches your voice-based conversational app. People expect the voice-based conversational functionality to be instantly available when they launch your app with the side button, so make sure to let them immediately use it by starting an audio session - for example, with AVFoundation.

Apple makes it clear that the option to activate a third-party personal assistant using App Intents will only be available on the iPhone in Japan, not in other countries. To use the feature, the country or region of an Apple Account must be set to Japan and a user must be located in Japan.

iOS 26.2 also adds support for third-party App Stores and provides a Safari Search Engine choice screen during setup in Japan. With these features, Apple is complying with Mobile Software Competition Act Guidelines established by the Japan Fair Trade Commission.

When we initially shared details of the Side Button code, it looked like it might be available to iPhone users in the European Union under the Digital Markets Act. It's possible that might still happen eventually, but it's clear that the initial implementation will be limited to Japan.

Article Link: iOS 26.2 Lets iPhone Users in Japan Replace Siri With Third-Party Assistants on Side Button

 

[MacUserFella]

I guess I’m moving to Japan, kawaii!

 

[germanbeer007]

As much as I hate Siri, it's should be up to Apple to let people replace Siri, not pressured by laws.

 

[Rychiar]

If only we could all get that til they give Siri a brain.

 

[Dj64Mk7]

This seems like a major change for such a minor update?

 

[N0ughtsAndCr0sses]

I guess I’m moving to Japan, kawaii!

How much is a tourist visa anyway?

🤣🤣🤣

No need to move there 🤣🤌🏻

 

[robinp]

Need to look into it, but it seems like something app developers could provide as a deep link and therefore trigger it with a shortcut. If you can make a shortcut action, you can activate it with the side button.

I’m therefore interested what this does over and above that or what they are doing to prevent the above from working.

 

[OliOliOliOli]

I dont know in english but in French Siri sucks!

 

[awshucks]

I want Bixby on my iPhone lol

 

[jchap]

As much as I hate Siri, it's should be up to Apple to let people replace Siri, not pressured by laws.

If it were simply up to Apple, consumers would not be given a choice to replace Siri.

 

[robvalentine]

So the Japanese can get a usable assistant. Lucky them.

 

[jdavid_rp]

Will it work for actions requests like timers or sending messages? Or just like invoking a Gemini/chatgpt chat with no system support?

 

[coolfactor]

If it were simply up to Apple, consumers would not be given a choice to replace Siri.

I wish Apple would focus on the bigger picture, not the bottom line. When making a change to iOS, such as opening up alternative app stores, or changes to the Side button functionality, just make the changes global, not specific to individual regions. I pity the developers charged with having to manage all of the region-based segregation within the code.

 

[coolfactor]

So the Japanese can get a usable assistant. Lucky them.

Siri is SUPER usable as an assistant. For a limited number of tasks. Sometimes those tasks are all that's needed, therefore Siri meets the bill.

Have you tried assistants on other devices and had greater success, or just had a poor experience with Siri?

A year from now, we'll be living in a whole new world where Siri is the gold standard. Patience will be rewarded.

 

[klasma]

I dont know in english but in French Siri sucks!

In Japanese, “siri” means “your behind”.

 

[bluecoast]

If anyone at Apple is listening:

In the next point release, could we have the option to assign the right button to on/off again?

Millions will thank you, as this button will once again, be useful.

 

[bluecoast]

Edit: double post

 

[mxrider88]

Best feature released since 05/10/2011

 

[WarmWinterHat]

A year from now, we'll be living in a whole new world where Siri is the gold standard. Patience will be rewarded.

Sure thing, buddy. 🙄

Apple has been face-planting for over a decade, but just one more year….

 

[Lioness~]

If only we could all get that til they give Siri a brain.

They should rename it to Steve - it would put some pressure on Apple.
I might even turn it on again and test it 😉

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Now we get to see if any of these AI guys can actually deliver a more useful assistant.

 

[TicinoLX]

I’ll be in Japan for work next month. What will happen if I change my Siri to anything else while in Japan?

When I went to EU I was able to set up PayPal as AppleWallet replacement, and now (after leaving) i still have the option to select both

 

[jchap]

In Japanese, “siri” means “your behind”.

Actually, Siri is pronounced as "shiri" in Japanese, which means "your behind".

Typically, it would have to be prefaced with an "o-" ("o-shiri") to be understood in that context, but anyway the connotation has been clear to iPhone users for as long as the "Butt" assistant has been around 😅

 

[HazeAndHahmahneez]

why Japan, what did I miss?

 

[Abazigal]

Need to look into it, but it seems like something app developers could provide as a deep link and therefore trigger it with a shortcut. If you can make a shortcut action, you can activate it with the side button.

I’m therefore interested what this does over and above that or what they are doing to prevent the above from working.

You are already able to launch a third part smart assistant app via the action button(by mapping it to Shortcuts). The issue is that you are simply launching the app, and it won't be as deeply integrated with your device as Siri, so you can't use it to create calendar events or play music, for instance).

I suspect this will be something similar. Apple is not going to let iOS house multiple versions of smart assistants; it's probably just letting you map the power button to the respective app, the same way you can link the camera control button to third party camera apps like Halide.