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Apple Is Opening Siri to Claude, Gemini, and ChatGPT in iOS 27

iPhone users will soon choose which AI model powers Siri, Writing Tools, and Image Playground. ChatGPT loses its exclusive spot. Here is how Extensions will work.

May 19, 2026 6 min read

Key takeaways

Apple is about to make the most significant change to Siri since Apple Intelligence launched. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, iOS 27 will introduce a feature called Extensions that lets iPhone users choose which AI model powers Siri, Writing Tools, and Image Playground.
Instead of being locked into ChatGPT as the only external AI option, users will be able to install Claude, Gemini, Grok, or any other AI app from the App Store and set it as their preferred AI provider. The announcement is expected at WWDC on June 8, with iOS 27 shipping in fall 2026.
This changes everything about how AI companies compete for mobile users.

How Extensions Will Work

The setup lives in a new panel inside Settings under Apple Intelligence and Siri. Users install a supported AI app from the App Store, flip a switch, and from that moment on, Siri routes eligible requests to that app instead of Apple's built in models.

Extensions work across three Apple Intelligence features: Siri for voice queries, Writing Tools for text generation and editing, and Image Playground for image creation. Users could potentially route different types of queries to different providers, choosing Gemini for research, Claude for coding assistance, or ChatGPT for creative writing.

Apple is also adding a transparency mechanism. Siri keeps its own voice for queries handled by Apple's models. Responses from third party AI services like Claude or Gemini play back in those services' distinct voices. When the voice changes, you know your query has left Apple's servers.

A dedicated section of the App Store will highlight AI compatible apps, functioning like a marketplace for AI integrations.

Source: Verified from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, MacRumors, 9to5Mac, and Tom's Guide, May 2026.

The Two Layer Gemini Strategy

There is an important distinction to understand. Apple actually has two separate AI deals with Google, and they work very differently.

The first is a backend deal worth approximately $1 billion per year, announced in January 2026. Under this deal, a custom 1.2 trillion parameter Gemini model powers Siri's summarizer and planner components. This runs on Apple's Private Cloud Compute infrastructure. Users never see Google branding. To them, it is just Siri being smarter.

The second is the new Extensions system. Here, the Gemini app would be available as a separately installable Extension alongside Claude and ChatGPT. Users see Google's branding, hear Gemini's voice, and interact with the actual Gemini service.

So Gemini will be both the invisible engine underneath Siri and a visible option users can choose on top. This gives Google a structural advantage that neither Anthropic nor OpenAI has. Whether regulators at the FTC or UK CMA take interest in this arrangement is an open question heading into WWDC.

AI Models in iOS 27

ChatGPT (OpenAI)Extension: Yes | Backend: No | Losing exclusive spot

Gemini (Google)Extension: Yes | Backend: Yes ($1B/yr deal) | Structural advantage

Claude (Anthropic)Extension: Yes | Backend: No | First real consumer distribution

Grok (xAI)Extension: Likely | Backend: No | Sued Apple over exclusivity

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Verified pricing changes, new model launches, and cost-saving tips.

What This Means for AI Tool Pricing

Extensions could reshape how AI companies price their products. Today, most consumers access ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini through each company's own app or website. Being available inside Siri on over a billion active iPhones is a completely different distribution channel.

Apple takes a cut from subscriptions purchased through the App Store. This means AI companies face a choice: absorb Apple's 30% commission or raise prices for iOS users. Currently, ChatGPT Plus costs $20 per month, Claude Pro costs $20 per month, and Gemini Advanced costs $19.99 per month as part of Google One AI Premium.

For users, the biggest benefit is the ability to try multiple AI models without switching apps. If you find Claude better for coding questions and Gemini better for research, you could configure each for its strength and use Siri as the single interface.

For Anthropic specifically, this is a breakthrough moment. Claude has never had meaningful consumer mobile distribution. Being a native option inside every iPhone running iOS 27 changes that overnight.

Source: Pricing verified at chatgpt.com/pricing, claude.ai/pricing, and one.google.com, May 2026.

AI Assistant Pricing (Current)

ChatGPT Plus$20/mo | Currently exclusive Siri partner

Claude Pro$20/mo | First time on iPhone natively

Gemini Advanced$19.99/mo (via Google One AI Premium)

Grok$30/mo (SuperGrok) | Sued Apple over exclusivity

Timeline and What to Watch

WWDC 2026 runs June 8 to 12. The Extensions system is expected to be unveiled at the June 8 keynote alongside the full iOS 27 announcement. Developer betas typically start the same day, with a public beta in July and general release in September alongside new iPhone hardware.

Apple is currently testing Google and Anthropic integrations internally. The full lineup of supported AI providers will be announced at WWDC. Other apps already in the App Store that could potentially support Extensions include Perplexity, Microsoft Copilot, Meta AI, and Amazon Alexa.

For AI tool users, the practical advice is simple: do nothing until September. The feature requires iPhone 15 Pro or newer for Apple Intelligence. When iOS 27 launches, install the AI apps you want to try, open Settings, and pick your favorites. For the first time since Apple Intelligence launched, the AI on your iPhone will be your choice instead of Apple's.

Source: WWDC dates confirmed at developer.apple.com, May 2026.

Tools mentioned in this article