Apple released its new iOS 27 update in September 2026 and users enjoyed new features like AI photo editing capabilities and child safety tools. One of the main features, however, is the new Siri AI. But even if you have a compatible iPhone, you need to request access from Apple to enable Siri AI, as it’s still technically under testing. When you do, Apple says you’ll be waitlisted, but it’s unclear for how long.
Technically speaking, Apple says Siri AI is still in beta despite deep AI integration in iOS 27, so some people may wait longer than others. However, if you want to check for yourself, you can go to Settings > Siri then press Try Siri AI (beta) to see if it is activated or join the waiting list. You may need to activate Siri before completing this step.
Apple users who gained access posted online that they spent anywhere from a few hours to several weeks on the waitlist. Communities on Reddit and longtime Apple watchers suspect that the company may release the AI in stages, to ease server load during this transition and rollout. Other AI vendors have also reported significant demand when they launch new products.
Internet users are still waiting for the new Siri AI in iOS 27
Looking at the r/iOS27 and r/Apple subreddits, people reported different times they had access to the new Siri AI. Some reported waiting more than 24 hours for Siri to arrive, while it took up to 48 hours for others. It’s also worth noting that Siri AI is currently only available in English, as support for languages like Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, and French is expected to begin rolling out in October 2026.
If you see a banner in Settings that says “Search and Siri Optimization,” that means your iPhone is still going through your device’s storage to rebuild your search index, which looks like a table of contents. This is likely one of the reasons why a user on Apple’s website community forums reported waiting six days to receive access. Additionally, a user on the r/iOS27 subreddit mentions speaking to Apple about the issue, although the representative apparently said they couldn’t access the Siri AI waitlist, nor provide any additional information.
For those who have been waiting for the update, having to wait a little longer can definitely be frustrating. In previous years, some users have even sued the company over its Siri marketing, reaching a settlement in which the company pays many iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16 users $95 each.
Although some people online have expressed frustration with the wait, not everyone feels that way. As one user on the r/Apple subreddit put it: “Also you waited a year for iOS 27 to come out, what’s another day or two?”
Gn tech
