Apple’s long-awaited Siri upgrade is facing technical issues and software bugs, which could delay or limit its release.
The tech giant revealed the AI-powered Siri at its developer conference last June. The team has managed to promote some features, but it is still working to complete the software. Mainly, some features are planned with iOS 18.4 in April, but it might be delayed to iOS 18.5 in May or later.
This upgrade is a key part of Apple intelligence, as this will improve AI and boost iPhone sales. However, the rollout of Apple Intrelhece has already faced problems, with some features, like news summaries, which were receiving criticism for glitches.
Fixing Siri is crucial for Apple to regain its edge in voice assistants. Meanwhile, its AI efforts in China involve Alibaba and Baidu to meet regulations.
These updates aim to make Siri smarter by using personal data to answer questions, control apps more precisely, and understand what’s on a user’s screen.
One key feature at risk of delay is Siri’s ability to find information from emails and texts—such as a file or a flight booking discussed with a friend. Apple employees testing the new Siri say these features don’t yet work consistently.
To avoid delays, Apple is considering releasing the features in iOS 18.4 but keeping them turned off by default until a later update. The delay could also impact Apple’s upcoming smart home hub, which relies on Siri’s improved controls.
Apple is facing challenges in AI development and is behind competitors like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Some employees believe the AI features were rushed to impress investors.
After Apple’s recent earnings report, CEO Tim Cook highlighted the company’s commitment to innovation, saying Apple Intelligence is already improving experiences on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. However, iPhone sales fell by about 1% during the holiday season, suggesting AI features didn’t boost demand significantly. Cook noted that the iPhone 16 performed better in regions where Apple Intelligence was available.
Apple is now making changes to its AI and machine-learning team. The company recently appointed veteran software executive Kim Vorrath to help improve its AI efforts, which are led by former Google executive John Giannandrea.
Delays in implementing Apple Intelligence features are having an impact on the next software upgrades. Originally scheduled for late 2025, several iOS 19 features could now be moved to 2026.
Also Read: Apple has announced big AI update for iPhone users in India
