Apple has released a preliminary (beta) version of the iOS 27.3 update, which fundamentally transforms the role of its voice assistant, Siri. While third-party developers previously had access to only a limited set of assistant functions, they can now fully integrate Siri into their own software products. According to the company, the update allows the voice assistant to access personal user data, process natural language requests, and account for on-screen information to complete tasks. Apple says this addresses one of the primary criticisms of Siri: its inability to perform actions inside third-party applications.
What are 'App Skills'
The key innovation is the "App Skills" feature. With its help, third-party developers can create custom skills by combining several separate operations into a single voice-activated action. As Apple explained, users no longer need to explicitly name an app in their request: if it is currently active and open on the screen, or if a conversation with Siri is already underway in the context of that software solution, the assistant will understand which service the command refers to. Thus, Siri ceases to be an "isolated island" and begins to function as a seamless voice layer over everything happening on the device.
How it works in practice
Apple provides a typical example: a user can order a ride through a relevant service, track its status in real time, and then change the pickup point simply by saying, "Siri, change the pickup address to the new one." Such chains—from ordering and booking to multi-step scenarios—are now available for developers to configure. In standard Apple apps, extended Siri support is already live: the list includes Calendar, Files, Finder, Journal, Mail, Maps, Messages, Music, Notes, Photos, Preview, Reminders, Safari, Shortcuts, and Weather. As an illustration, the company cites scenarios like finding a coffee shop the user visited last week or archiving files that haven't been opened for over a year. Additionally, the user can check with Siri at any time to see exactly what actions she can perform in a given app.
Technical Foundation and Limitations
According to industry publications, the integration is built on the App Intents framework: it is what allows Siri to understand the context of what is happening on the screen, consider user preferences, and perform actions inside third-party apps via voice command. Additionally, the assistant has learned to find app data through the Spotlight system's semantic index. Full-scale launch of these functions for end users is planned for the coming months, and, according to reports, the acceptance of updated apps in the App Store will open in the spring. Importantly, the AI assistant works only on devices with Apple Intelligence support, and requests to server-side AI models are limited by daily caps—in the future, the company intends to offer paid access with expanded features.
Geography and Context: Launch Details
The geographical aspect deserves special attention. In European Union countries, Siri AI on smartphones, tablets, and watches is currently unavailable due to regulatory restrictions; according to media reports, a dispute between Apple and the European regulator regarding device access rules under the Digital Markets Act is ongoing. Against this backdrop, industry publications previously reported that a major update to the voice assistant had been postponed to the fall of 2026, and in iOS 27, users are expected to be given the option to choose the AI model that processes their voice requests. Thus, the open "App Skills" in iOS 27.3 marks a significant step for Apple in the competitive race for a voice AI interface, although final availability for the general audience and in certain regions still depends on timelines and regulatory decisions.
