iOS 26.2 Update: Apple Allows Users To Replace Siri With Gemini In Major Shift

Just in time for the festive season, Apple is preparing to drop a significant update that promises to reshape how we interact with our devices. While the tech giant is currently strictly testing iOS 26.2, the official release is slated for mid-December, effectively acting as an early Christmas gift for iPhone users.

While the update brings a host of global refinements—from smarter reminders to sleep tracking overhauls—it is the market-specific changes for Japan that are truly turning heads. For the first time, Apple is loosening its grip on the default voice assistant, signalling a monumental shift in its 'walled garden' approach.

We have broken down the most impactful features arriving with this latest software iteration.

Urgent Reminders and Alarm Features in iOS 26.2

Productivity enthusiasts will find a welcome change in the Reminders app. Apple is introducing a distinct alarm capability for task management. By toggling the 'Urgent' option when drafting a reminder, users can ensure an alarm sounds exactly when the task is due.

Unlike standard notifications, this feature demands attention. When activated, the alarm presents a snooze or slide-to-stop interface. If you choose to snooze, a countdown appears on the Lock Screen, offering options to reschedule or complete the task immediately.

To ensure you do not confuse this with your morning wake-up call, Apple has distinguished these alerts with a new blue colour. A splash screen will greet users after updating to iOS 26.2 to highlight this functionality.

Customising the Lock Screen Aesthetic in iOS 26.2

Visual personalisation gets a boost with the new Liquid Glass slider on the Lock Screen. This feature allows users to fine-tune the appearance of the clock. By selecting the 'Glass' option, you can use a slider to adjust transparency, ranging from a frosted look to an almost entirely clear display.

For those who prefer a bolder look, a 'Solid' toggle remains available to switch off the Liquid Glass effect completely. However, users should note that the 'Tinted' option within Liquid Glass comes with a warning: it cannot be used simultaneously with the Reduce Transparency and Increase Contrast accessibility settings.

Fortunately, turning on Tinted mode automatically disables these conflicting settings, a smooth refinement from previous betas.

Major System Overhauls and Siri Changes in iOS 26.2

Perhaps the most radical changes in iOS 26.2 are exclusive to Japan, where regulatory pressure is opening up the iPhone ecosystem. Apple is laying the groundwork to allow users in Japan to replace Siri with alternative voice assistants. Currently, a press and hold gesture on the Side Button only activates Siri, but there are multiple references to new Side Button behaviour in the beta code.

iPhone users in Japan will soon be able to select a new voice-based conversation app to activate with this gesture, allowing alternative assistants like Gemini or Alexa to be used as the primary interface. Developer documentation confirms that this feature will be strictly geofenced to Japanese Apple Accounts owned by residents of the region.

Furthermore, after installing the update, Japanese users will be prompted to select a preferred search engine from options including Bing, Google, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo Japan, or Ecosia. This region also gains the ability to install alternative app marketplaces, mirroring recent changes in the European Union.

Sleep Score Data Changes Coming to iOS 26.2

Health tracking is getting more precise. Apple has recalibrated the Sleep Score metrics for both iOS 26.2 and watchOS 26.2 to better reflect human physiology and how users actually feel after resting.

The updated scoring brackets are as follows:

• 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)

Notably, the top tier has been renamed from 'Excellent' to 'Very High' for consistency. The score is calculated based on a total of 100 points: duration (50 points), bedtime (30 points), and interruptions (20 points).

Seamless File Sharing via AirDrop in iOS 26.2

Sharing files is about to become significantly less frictionless. Apple has engineered new AirDrop functionality that allows for temporary file sharing without the prerequisite of adding someone as a contact.

iOS 26.2 includes an option to generate a one-time AirDrop code. This code facilitates file exchanges for a 30-day period with people outside your contact list. You can manage these temporary connections by navigating to Settings > General > AirDrop and tapping on 'Manage Known AirDrop Contacts'.

Quality of Life Updates in iOS 26.2

Beyond the major headlines, Apple has sprinkled functional refinements across the system. The Apple News app receives a design refresh with quick-access top buttons for categories like sports, politics, and business, while the 'Following' tab has been notably decoupled from the search interface.

Gamers also receive attention in this update; the Games app now supports sorting the library by file size—a crucial tool for managing storage—and introduces controller navigation and real-time score updates.

Even the Weather app is getting smarter, with code suggesting support for relative time alerts, such as 'rain next Tuesday', rather than generic dates. Furthermore, in the Passwords app, users now have the option to manage specific websites where they wish to disable password saving entirely.

AirPods Live Translation Expanding to the EU in iOS 26.2

European users are finally receiving the AirPods Live Translation feature. Initially delayed to ensure engineering compliance with the Digital Markets Act, this tool is now ready for deployment.

It supports AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods 4 with ANC. The feature currently supports a robust list of languages including English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional Mandarin), Japanese, and Korean.

Safety and Privacy Updates in iOS 26.2

Apple continues to refine user safety. The Notifications section now houses an 'Enhanced Safety Alerts' area for managing earthquake and imminent threat warnings. This includes a feature that leverages location data to improve alert reliability. Additionally, the Flash for Alerts accessibility setting now allows the screen to flash alongside the rear LED for notifications.

Regarding privacy, accessing your Apple Account post-update will trigger an alert detailing updated privacy information, specifically explaining how personal data is collected and utilised.

CarPlay and App Store Compliance in iOS 26.2

Drivers who prefer a simplified interface will appreciate a new CarPlay option that supports disabling pinned messages, restoring the classic chronological Messages view.

In response to the App Store Accountability Act taking effect in 2026, Apple is also adding specific tools for the Texas market. Users in Texas will be required to verify they are 18 or older when creating an Apple Account. Furthermore, parents must provide consent for their children's downloads. Developers are being provided with systems to notify parents of significant app changes and to allow parents to revoke access at any time.

Multitasking Improvements in iPadOS 26.2

Finally, iPad users get a productivity win. Building on previous updates, iPadOS 26.2 restores the ability to drag and drop apps from the App Library, Dock, and Spotlight directly into Slide Over and tiled views—functionality that was sorely missed during the transition from iPadOS 18 to iPadOS 26. Freeform also gains support for Tables, making it a more viable tool for data-heavy brainstorming.

With iOS 26.2, Apple is clearly willing to adapt its rigid ecosystem when pushed, offering a glimpse into a more open future for the iPhone. Whether you are eyeing the productivity boosts or watching the regulatory changes in Japan with interest, this update is set to end the year on a high note.