Apple today pushed the first beta version (Beta 1) of iOS 26.4 to developers and public test users. However, to the disappointment of many users, this version does not include the highly anticipated new "Apple Intelligence" Siri feature.
It had been widely predicted that Apple would use iOS 26.4 as the release window for the new version of Siri, given the long delays and ongoing rumors. However, it turns out that users will still have to wait longer to experience this major voice assistant upgrade.
After Apple announced in March 2025 that it would postpone the "Apple Intelligence" version of Siri, well-known Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman once revealed that Apple internally set the release target at iOS 26.4. He reiterated this timing in multiple subsequent reports, and even hinted at the end of January that Apple would launch this more personalized version of Siri in February.
However, just before the first beta was released, things changed. Gurman changed his tune last week and said that Siri updates would not come with iOS 26.4 after all. According to reports, Apple has encountered roadblocks in the development process, and the release of the new version of Siri has been delayed to iOS 26.5 or even iOS 27.
Gurman noted that new Siri features will likely be rolled out over several future iOS versions. Some features are expected to be launched in iOS 26.5, or Apple may choose to wait until iOS 27 is previewed at the WWDC conference in June 2026.
As early as the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple demonstrated Siri integrated with "Apple Intelligence" for the first time, which was originally planned to be launched with iOS 18. In order to achieve the promised functionality, Apple had to upgrade Siri's underlying architecture, a process that has taken more than a year.
According to sources, the main reason for the delay of iOS 26.4 is performance issues. Current testing shows that Siri takes too long to respond to requests, and some queries are not processed correctly. Engineers are currently using the iOS 26.5 version for further testing, which means that some features are still expected to appear in this version. Although it is possible that new features will be added to the subsequent iOS 26.4 beta version, this possibility cannot be guaranteed at this time.
Apple is currently working to add personalization, screen awareness, and the ability to operate across apps to Siri. But not all features are said to work reliably, and there are ongoing issues with accuracy.
In response to reports of missing the iOS 26.4 release window, Apple confirmed to CNBC that the new version of Siri is still planned to be launched at some point in 2026. Since Apple has never given a more specific timetable than "2026", from an official perspective, this is not the second official extension, but more of a failure of rumored expectations.
Given that it's only February, Apple has until December this year to fulfill its public promise of a 2026 launch. Even if new features are delayed until iOS 27, Apple can still achieve its stated goals. Gurman said that Apple executives are still unwilling to postpone the debut of the new version of Siri until after the spring of 2026, so releasing it during the iOS 26 cycle is still possible.