Apple has entered a multi-year deal with Google to use Gemini as the foundation for Apple’s next-gen AI features, including a more personalised Siri due later in 2026. The companies confirmed the partnership in a joint statement saying Gemini models and Google cloud tech will underpin Apple Foundation Models for “future Apple Intelligence features,” including Siri.

The announcement follows months of reporting and represents a setback for OpenAI, whose ChatGPT integrations on iPhone remain opt-in for complex queries rather than the default foundation. Apple’s choice of Gemini as its core model provider is framed as a pragmatic move to accelerate delivery of long-promised Siri upgrades.

Market reaction was swift: Alphabet briefly touched a $4 trillion valuation on 12 January 2026, with analysts pointing to the Apple tie-up as a catalyst for investor optimism around Google’s AI strategy.

Why this matters

• Platform power shift: After years of vertical integration, Apple is outsourcing key AI building blocks—an uncommon step signalling urgency to catch up in consumer AI.

• User impact in 2026: Apple and Google both say Gemini will help power a more personalised Siri this year, with Apple maintaining its on-device processing and Private Cloud Compute safeguards.

• Ecosystem ripple effects: The partnership intensifies competition with OpenAI and xAI; early reaction from tech figures has already criticised the tie-up’s concentration of power.

What Apple and Google actually said

In a joint statement, the companies confirmed that Gemini will “help power future Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalised Siri coming this year,” while Apple runs workloads on device and via Private Cloud Compute. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Is it exclusive?

Coverage indicates the arrangement is not exclusive—leaving Apple room to blend models—though Gemini becomes the primary foundation for Apple’s own models. ChatGPT remains opt-in for specific tasks.

The timeline

A fuller Siri overhaul slipped from earlier targets; Apple and Google now point to 2026 for the personal-context upgrade to Siri and related Apple Intelligence features.

The bigger picture

• Finance: Alphabet’s milestone underscores how distribution wins (iOS install base) can be as decisive as model quality.

• Privacy posture: Apple emphasises that its privacy architecture remains in place, with processing on device or via Private Cloud Compute. Expect privacy to be a key message in EU/UK communications.

• Search dynamics: This pact layers on top of the longstanding Google default search arrangement on iOS—likely inviting renewed regulatory attention.

FAQ

Will Google get my Siri data?
Apple says no—Gemini-powered features run on device and via Private Cloud Compute under Apple’s privacy architecture.

When will the new Siri arrive?
Apple and Google point to a 2026 rollout for the more personalised Siri.

Is ChatGPT gone from iPhone?
No. ChatGPT remains opt-in for certain complex queries, but Gemini becomes the foundation for Apple’s own models powering Siri and Apple Intelligence.

Is the arrangement exclusive?
Reporting suggests it is not exclusive, leaving Apple latitude to work with multiple model providers.