Apple has rolled out the third beta of iOS 26.2, showing early indications that future iPhone software may allow users to choose third-party voice assistants as systemwide defaults. The findings come from analysis of internal code references that suggest Apple is preparing for broader flexibility in how users activate voice-driven tools on the device.
Under the current setup, holding the side button always launches Siri, leaving alternatives like Google Gemini or ChatGPT accessible only through their respective apps. The new beta includes updated framework text that replaces Siri-specific mentions with placeholders and references to a selectable side-button app. These changes appear aligned with requirements under the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which obliges platform operators to grant third-party apps equal access to key system functions.
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The beta also shows similar adjustments for NFC payments. Internal strings suggest Apple Pay could be swapped out for a third-party app that launches through the same double-press gesture used today. The shift would expand payment options on iPhones sold in markets where regulatory rules demand open access to hardware features such as NFC.
In parallel with these system-level changes, Apple is continuing work on AirDrop improvements. Testing has begun on a feature allowing two devices to pair via a PIN code and remain visible to each other for up to 30 days. The current setup limits visibility to saved contacts or a brief 10-minute window, making the proposed expansion aimed at easing file-sharing between trusted devices.
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iOS 26.2 remains in the developer-beta phase, and Apple has not announced a release schedule. The software is expected to continue evolving as the company prepares for broader regulatory compliance and shifts toward more flexible user-controlled system defaults.