Siri’s Glow-Up: How To Unlock The Assistant’s Vibrant New Look In IOS 18 Thechipblog

Apple’s virtual assistant, Siri, has undergone a stunning transformation in iOS 18, and it’s more than just a cosmetic upgrade. The new Siri interface features a vibrant, colorful glow that dances around the edges of your iPhone screen, replacing the familiar orb at the bottom. This fresh look is part of Apple’s broader push into AI-driven features under the umbrella of Apple Intelligence. However, if you’ve updated to iOS 18.3 and still see the old Siri orb, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Here’s everything you need to know to unlock Siri’s dazzling new appearance and make the most of its enhanced capabilities.

A New Look for a Smarter Siri

The new Siri interface is more than just eye candy. It’s a visual representation of the assistant’s expanded role in Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI-powered features that includes notification summaries, Genmoji, and the Clean Up tool in Photos. When Siri activates, colorful lights ripple across the screen, creating a dynamic and immersive experience. On Macs, the effect is more subtle, with the Siri search field glowing instead of the entire screen.

This redesign isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a signal of Siri’s evolution into a more intelligent and integrated assistant. However, unlocking this new look requires a few steps, especially if your device isn’t showing the updated interface after the iOS 18.3 update.

Siri’s Glow-Up: How to Unlock the Assistant’s Vibrant New Look in iOS 18

Is Your Device Compatible with Apple Intelligence?

The first thing to check is whether your iPhone can run Apple Intelligence. While iOS 18.3 is available for iPhones as old as the iPhone XS, Apple Intelligence features are limited to newer models due to their on-device computational requirements. Currently, only the following devices support Apple Intelligence:

Apple Intelligence is also available on Macs and iPads with M-series processors, as well as the latest iPad Mini, which is powered by the A17 Pro chip. If you own one of these devices, you should see the new Siri glow when you activate the assistant. If not, you’ll continue to see the classic Siri orb.

Re-Enabling Apple Intelligence

If you have a compatible device but still don’t see the new Siri interface, it’s possible that Apple Intelligence isn’t enabled. When Apple Intelligence first launched with iOS 18.1, users had to opt in and wait for access. While the latest updates (iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3) enable Apple Intelligence automatically, this might not happen if you previously turned it off.

To check and re-enable Apple Intelligence:

Open Settings on your iPhone.
Navigate to Apple Intelligence & Siri.
Ensure the Apple Intelligence toggle is turned on.

If the toggle was off, turning it on should activate the new Siri interface. However, you may need to restart your device for the changes to take effect.

Checking Your Siri Language Settings

Another common reason the new Siri interface might not appear is your language settings. Apple Intelligence currently supports only specific English variants, and Siri’s new features are tied to these language models. To ensure compatibility, go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri and verify that your language is set to one of the following:

English (Australia)
English (Canada)
English (Ireland)
English (New Zealand)
English (South Africa)
English (United Kingdom)
English (United States)

If you’ve previously used Siri in another language, switching to one of the supported English variants won’t automatically re-enable the new interface. To fix this, turn Apple Intelligence off and back on in the settings, then restart your iPhone. This will trigger a re-download of the necessary language model.

What’s Next for Siri and Apple Intelligence?

Apple has made it clear that the current rollout of Apple Intelligence and Siri’s new features is just the beginning. Support for additional languages, including Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish, is expected to arrive later this year, with more languages and platforms coming in 2025. This expansion will make Apple Intelligence accessible to a broader global audience, further enhancing Siri’s capabilities.

In the meantime, users in supported regions can enjoy a more visually engaging and functionally robust Siri. The glowing interface is a small but meaningful change that reflects Apple’s commitment to innovation and user experience.

Tips for a Smooth Transition to iOS 18.3

Before diving into the new Siri features, it’s essential to ensure your device is ready for the update. Here are a few tips to make the transition seamless:

Back Up Your iPhone: Before installing iOS 18.3, back up your device to iCloud or your computer to safeguard your data.
Check Compatibility: Verify that your iPhone, iPad, or Mac supports Apple Intelligence to take full advantage of the new features.
Update Your apps: Ensure all your apps are updated to their latest versions to avoid compatibility issues.
Explore New Settings: iOS 18.3 introduces several new settings and features. Take the time to customize your device to suit your preferences.

A Brighter Future for Siri

Siri’s glow-up in iOS 18 is more than just a visual refresh—it’s a glimpse into the future of Apple’s virtual assistant. With its vibrant new interface and enhanced capabilities, Siri is poised to become an even more integral part of the Apple ecosystem.

Whether you’re using it to summarize notifications, create Genmoji, or clean up your Photos library, the new Siri is designed to make your life easier and more enjoyable. By following the steps outlined above, you can unlock its full potential and experience the next evolution of Apple Intelligence.

So, if you’re still seeing the old Siri orb, don’t fret. A few simple adjustments are all it takes to bring your assistant into the colorful, dynamic world of iOS 18.

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