iOS 26.2 Lets Users Swap Siri For Gemini In Apple’s Biggest Change Yet

Apple Opens the Door to Rival Assistants With iOS 26.2 – Just in time for the festive season, Apple is getting ready to release a major iPhone update that could change the way people use their devices. Although the company is still testing iOS 26.2, the official rollout is expected in mid-December, almost like an early Christmas surprise for users.

The update includes several improvements around the world, from smarter reminders to redesigned sleep tracking. But it is the region-specific updates for Japan that are attracting the most attention. For the first time, Apple is relaxing its control over the default voice assistant, marking a major shift from its usual tightly controlled ecosystem.

Below is a closer look at the standout features coming with iOS 26.2.

Urgent Reminders and Alarm Tools in iOS 26.2

Productivity fans will be happy with a big upgrade to the Reminders app. Apple is adding a dedicated alarm option for tasks. By turning on the ‘Urgent’ setting while creating a reminder, an alarm will ring exactly when the task is due.

This alert works differently from standard notifications. When it goes off, the screen shows snooze and slide-to-stop options. If you hit snooze, a countdown appears on the Lock Screen with quick buttons to reschedule or mark the task as done.

To make sure these don’t blend in with your usual alarms, Apple is giving them a new blue color. After updating to iOS 26.2, a splash screen will appear explaining how this new feature works.

More Lock Screen Customization in iOS 26.2

Personalizing your Lock Screen gets easier with the new Liquid Glass slider. This tool lets you adjust how transparent the clock looks. After choosing the ‘Glass’ style, you can move the slider to create anything from a frosted effect to an almost clear display.

If you prefer a stronger, more solid look, you can switch back to the ‘Solid’ option anytime. However, users should keep in mind that the ‘Tinted’ style in Liquid Glass conflicts with certain accessibility settings. It cannot be used with Reduce Transparency or Increase Contrast. Fortunately, selecting Tinted mode now automatically disables those settings, which makes the experience smoother than earlier beta versions.

Major System Changes and Big Siri Updates in Japan

The most dramatic updates in iOS 26.2 are coming to Japan, where new regulations are pushing Apple to open up the iPhone experience. The company is preparing to let users in Japan replace Siri with other voice assistants. Right now, holding the Side Button only triggers Siri, but the beta code includes references to expanded Side Button behavior.

Soon, iPhone owners in Japan will be able to choose a different voice-based conversation app to activate with that gesture. This means assistants like Gemini or Alexa could be used as the main voice interface. Developer documentation confirms the feature will be limited to Japanese Apple Accounts owned by residents of the region.

Once the update is installed, users in Japan will also be asked to pick a preferred search engine from choices like Bing, Google, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo Japan or Ecosia. That region will also gain access to alternative app marketplaces, just like the recent changes in the European Union.

Updated Sleep Score Metrics in iOS 26.2

Sleep tracking is becoming more accurate and more aligned with how people actually feel when they wake up. Apple has updated the scoring system for both iOS 26.2 and watchOS 26.2.

The new brackets are:

・Very Low: 0–40 (previously 0–29)
・Low: 41–60 (previously 30–49)
・OK: 61–80 (previously 50–69)
・High: 81–95 (previously 70–89)
・Very High: 96–100 (previously 90–100)

The highest rating is now called ‘Very High’ instead of ‘Excellent’. Scores still total 100 points, with duration worth 50, bedtime worth 30, and interruptions worth 20.

Easier File Sharing with AirDrop in iOS 26.2

AirDrop is getting a helpful update that makes sharing files with people outside your contacts much simpler. iOS 26.2 adds an option to create a one-time AirDrop code. This code lets you exchange files with someone for up to 30 days without adding them to your contacts.

You can manage these temporary connections by going to Settings > General > AirDrop and selecting ‘Manage Known AirDrop Contacts’.

Useful Quality of Life Improvements

Several apps are getting small but meaningful upgrades. Apple News gets a cleaner layout with top category buttons for topics like sports, politics and business. The ‘Following’ tab is also now separate from the search page.

Gamers benefit from new sorting tools in the Games app, including the ability to sort by file size and better controller navigation. Real-time score updates are also available.

The Weather app is preparing to support relative time alerts, such as warnings for ‘rain next Tuesday’, instead of only showing simple dates. The Passwords app now lets users choose specific websites where password saving should be disabled.

AirPods Live Translation Expands to the EU

European customers will finally have access to AirPods Live Translation. After being delayed due to Digital Markets Act requirements, the feature is now ready.

It works with AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 with ANC. Languages supported include English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional Mandarin), Japanese and Korean.

Safety and Privacy Enhancements

Apple is improving alert systems in the Notifications section with a new ‘Enhanced Safety Alerts’ category. It helps manage earthquake warnings and imminent threats, using location data to make alerts more reliable. There is also an update to the Flash for Alerts accessibility option, allowing the screen to flash along with the camera LED.

Privacy updates include a prompt explaining how Apple collects and uses personal data when signing in after the update.

CarPlay Updates and New Requirements in the App Store

CarPlay users who prefer a simpler layout will appreciate the option to hide pinned messages and return to the classic chronological format.

In Texas, the new App Store Accountability Act, taking effect in 2026, is triggering several additions. Users creating Apple Accounts must verify they are at least 18. Parents will also need to approve their children’s downloads. Developers are now equipped with tools to notify parents about major app changes and allow them to revoke access.

Better Multitasking in iPadOS 26.2

iPad users get a welcome productivity upgrade. iPadOS 26.2 brings back the ability to drag apps from the App Library, Dock, or Spotlight directly into Slide Over or split view. This was a beloved feature that went missing in earlier transitions from iPadOS 18 to 26. Freeform also gains Table support for organizing more complex ideas.

With iOS 26.2, Apple is clearly showing more flexibility in its platform. Whether you’re excited about the productivity updates or watching the major changes happening in Japan, this release is shaping up to be a strong end-of-year update.

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