iOS 26.2 Lets iPhone Users in Japan Replace Siri With Third-Party Assistants on Side Button

Following signs of new Side Button functionality successful the iOS 26.2 beta 3 update, Apple developer documentation has confirmed that assigning a third-party dependable adjunct to the Side Button volition beryllium a diagnostic disposable to iPhone users successful Japan.


Developers are capable to acceptable up an App Intents model that volition let voice-based conversational apps to beryllium launched straight from the Side Button successful Japan.

Right now, a agelong property connected the Side Button activates Siri, and determination is nary enactment to alteration that. Japanese ‌iPhone‌ users volition soon beryllium capable to prime a caller default, opting to activate Alexa, Gemini, oregon different dependable adjunct instead. App developers volition request to expressly follow this functionality for Side Button entree to beryllium disposable to consumers.

From Apple's developer documentation:In Japan, radical mightiness spot an enactment connected the broadside fastener of iPhone that instantly launches your voice-based conversational app. People expect the voice-based conversational functionality to beryllium instantly disposable erstwhile they motorboat your app with the broadside button, truthful marque definite to fto them instantly usage it by starting an audio league - for example, with AVFoundation.
Apple makes it wide that the enactment to activate a third-party idiosyncratic adjunct utilizing App Intents volition lone beryllium disposable connected the ‌iPhone‌ successful Japan, not successful different countries. To usage the feature, the state oregon portion of an Apple Account indispensable beryllium acceptable to Japan and a idiosyncratic indispensable beryllium located successful Japan.

iOS 26.2 besides adds enactment for third-party App Stores and provides a Safari Search Engine prime screen during setup successful Japan. With these features, Apple is complying with Mobile Software Competition Act Guidelines established by the Japan Fair Trade Commission.

When we initially shared details of the Side Button code, it looked similar it mightiness beryllium disposable to ‌iPhone‌ users successful the European Union nether the Digital Markets Act. It's imaginable that mightiness inactive hap eventually, but it's wide that the archetypal implementation volition beryllium constricted to Japan.
This article, "iOS 26.2 Lets iPhone Users successful Japan Replace Siri With Third-Party Assistants connected Side Button" archetypal appeared connected MacRumors.com

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