Apple iPhone iOS 26.2: New Siri Alternatives and AirDrop Upgrade

Key Takeaways

1. Users must manually launch third-party voice assistants on iPhone 17 or older models; the lock button activates only Siri for now.
2. An upcoming iOS 26.2 update may allow users to select different default apps for the side button, hinting at a change in voice assistant functionality.
3. The changes in the beta version suggest compliance with the EU’s Digital Markets Act, promoting equal access for third-party software.
4. Apple Pay may soon allow third-party payment apps to activate with a double-press of the lock button for NFC transactions.
5. AirDrop enhancements include pairing devices using a PIN code and extending visibility to 30 days, improving usability.

Anyone interested in using a voice assistant other than Siri on the Apple iPhone 17 or older models will need to launch the specific app manually for now. This is because pressing the lock button for a few seconds will only activate Siri. However, this situation might shift with the upcoming iOS 26.2 update, expected in a few months. MacRumors has discovered several hints within the Siri framework code in the third developer beta, indicating that Apple is gearing up for a notable change.

New Developments in the Beta

Previously, all informational texts referenced Siri, but the latest beta version has replaced these mentions with a generic placeholder. One of the texts even mentions the ability to select a different “default side button app.” Another notice cautions users if the selected “side button app” fails to support voice commands. This alteration is most likely due to the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which mandates that third-party software must have equal access to hardware features as Apple’s built-in software.

Changes in Payment Options

Additionally, Apple Pay might be substituted with a third-party application that activates when the lock button is double-pressed, allowing NFC payments to be made through an alternative app. In another development, 9to5Mac has reported enhancements to AirDrop, including a new feature that allows devices to be paired using a PIN code. Once paired, these devices will stay visible for up to 30 days. This change could prove beneficial, as currently, an AirDrop device can only be visible for saved contacts or just for 10 minutes.

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