iOS 18.2 Beta 3 was released yesterday, and a hidden "SystemVoiceAssistant" component in the code has sparked heated discussions — iPhone users may be able to "uninstall" Siri for the first time, instead binding third-party AI assistants like Gemini, ChatGPT, or Grok, and directly activating them through the side button. This is not only the boldest "default app" loosening in iOS history, but also a signal that Apple is yielding to regulatory pressure. The AIbase Editorial Department has uncovered the full details of this feature based on the latest developer documentation and code analysis, and predicts how it will reshape the landscape of AI voice interaction.

iPhone may allow you to 'replace the default voice assistant' with Gemini or GPT Apple released iOS 2.jpg

Beta3 Code Revealed: Side Button "Upgrade"

In iOS 18.2 Beta 3, Apple quietly embedded a new system component called "SystemVoiceAssistant," designed to manage the logic of voice binding on the side button. Traditionally, pressing the side button would only activate Siri, but the new code shows that users can freely "assign" third-party voice apps to this button. Key hint texts include: "Assign a voice-enabled app to the Side Button" ("Assign a voice-enabled app to the Side Button"), "%@ will be available when it finishes downloading" ("%@ will be available when it finishes downloading"), and "%@ is not available for use with the Side Button in your region" ("%@ is not available for use with the Side Button in your region"). These strings clearly indicate that pressing the button will directly lead to the designated assistant interface, rather than going through Siri as an intermediary, achieving a complete "default replacement."

First Launch in Japan: Developers Need to Adapt the App Intents Framework

Apple's developer documentation confirms that this feature will launch first in Japan with the official release of iOS 18.2 (expected to be pushed in December), limited to users who have a Japanese Apple ID and are located in Japan. Developers can integrate using the App Intents framework to ensure that voice apps can instantly start audio sessions (such as calling AVFoundation), enabling seamless integration of third-party assistants like Gemini and Alexa. The new Japanese regulations will take effect in December 2025, and this move may be Apple's early preparation. In the future, EU users may also benefit from the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires large platforms to allow users to change default browsers, search engines, and voice assistants, preventing Apple from bundling its own services.

Global Impact: Siri "Yields" to Third-Party AI, Accelerating the Open Ecosystem

This change marks Apple's shift from a "closed garden" to an "open ecosystem." Users will be able to choose ChatGPT to handle complex queries, Gemini to optimize multimodal interactions, or Grok to inject a humorous tone, directly replacing Siri's core position. Although developers need to actively adapt, once implemented, it will eliminate the redundant step of Siri as an intermediary, improving response speed and privacy control. The EU DMA requires Apple to provide an "easy-to-change default settings" mechanism. Previously, Bloomberg reported similar changes, and the Japan pilot has validated the technical feasibility. The AIbase Editorial Department predicts that this could trigger an "AI assistant arms race," with third-party developers rushing to optimize iOS integration.

Potential Challenges and Opportunities: Innovation Driven by Regulation

Although the feature is powerful, regional restrictions and development barriers may delay global adoption — for example, non-Japanese users cannot test it yet, and assistants must be "instantly available" to meet user expectations. At the same time, this also injects urgency into Apple's own Siri: its contextual awareness and App Intents upgrades (expected in iOS 18.4) need to accelerate. In the long run, this move will stimulate AI ecosystem growth, benefiting small and medium enterprises and creators the most, pushing iPhones to evolve from "devices" into "AI hubs." The AIbase Editorial Department comments: "Siri's retirement is not a decline, but a wise move by Apple to embrace diverse AI. Under the "鞭策" of regulations like the DMA, iPhone users are experiencing true choice freedom — will you replace Siri?"