Siri AI on Apple Watch struggled through most of the summer, but the latest watchOS 27 beta 8 appears to have turned things around. After arriving two development cycles late, the new AI-powered assistant landed in the watchOS 27 beta in July with the promise of transforming the Apple Watch into a capable AI wearable. For weeks, that promise went unfulfilled.
The early beta experience was rough enough to warrant a warning against updating. Rather than enhancing daily tasks, the redesigned assistant introduced a noticeable regression across core Apple Watch functions.
A Difficult Summer for Siri on Apple Watch
Throughout July and August, Siri was slow and frequently unresponsive on the Apple Watch. Basic requests often failed. Setting alarms and creating reminders did not always work, and starting a kitchen timer required building in extra time to account for the delay.
Controlling HomeKit accessories was similarly sluggish. Everyday actions that Apple Watch owners rely on, including launching a workout or sending a text message, all suffered from the same lag. After two months of pre-release builds with no meaningful improvement, there was speculation that Apple might delay Siri AI on Apple Watch, at least for existing hardware.
watchOS 27 Beta 8 Delivers a Turnaround
The situation shifted with the release of watchOS 27 beta 8. Within days, the persistent problems from the summer betas appeared to be resolved. The change has been described as night-and-day, with Siri handling requests reliably rather than stalling.
One standout benefit is quick access to knowledge questions directly from the wrist, without reaching for an iPhone. AI on the Apple Watch had been a gap in the platform for the past couple of years, and Siri AI is positioned to close it, provided performance holds up for a broader group of users beyond early testers.
An Outstanding Interface Change
One unrelated complaint remains in watchOS 27. Double-clicking the Digital Crown no longer switches between recently used apps, and the gesture currently does nothing in its place. Given how button-constrained the Apple Watch is, with a dedicated Action button reserved for the Ultra model, the removal stands out. A future update such as watchOS 27.1 could reassign the double-click gesture.
For now, the reliability improvements in watchOS 27 beta 8 mark the first sign that Siri AI on Apple Watch performs as intended since it entered beta this summer.
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Image: 9to5mac.com
