Katarzyna Petru
This could be the biggest change for Polish iPhone users since... well, since the iPhone has existed at all. According to an analysis of the code in the latest beta of iOS 26.2, Apple—under pressure from EU regulations—is preparing a feature that Poles and other countries have been waiting for years: the ability to change the default voice assistant. Yes. It means exactly what you think it means.
The side button, which so far has activated Siri (that is, practically nothing), can now be assigned to Gemini, ChatGPT, Groka, or any other app that actually understands Polish. And this is not a rumour; it's specific information from the code of iOS 26.2. But that's not all—this update also brings a few new features that will genuinely improve daily use of the iPhone. So if you're updating the system not just to have a higher number in Settings, there's really something to gain here.
What did the leaks from iOS 26.2 confirm?
In the third beta, developers found a series of messages regarding entirely new settings for the side button. Among other things:
“Choose another default app for the side button”
“The default app for the side button cannot be hidden”
“[App name] is not available in your region”
And this last fragment says it all:
The feature will be available only in the EU – meaning just like the previous changes that Apple had to implement due to the DMA.
Why is Apple doing this?
Because it has to. The EU Digital Markets Act requires users to be able to freely change their default apps – including the voice assistant. So Apple isn't doing us a favour. Apple is doing this because otherwise, it will pay billion-dollar fines. But the end result is that… finally we will be able to have a voice assistant on the iPhone that doesn't pretend the Polish language doesn't exist.
Gemini, ChatGPT, Grok – you choose, pin it to the side button and you're done.
Finally, the iPhone is becoming normal.
iOS 26.2 – what else do you get besides the big assistant change?
This is not a minor, cosmetic update. Apple has actually added a few new features that impact daily usage of the phone. And luckily – most of them work right away, without digging through menus like in Android from 2014.
1. Automatic chapters in Apple Podcasts - You no longer have to guess where the topic you’re interested in begins. Chapters create themselves. Just click and you’re good to go.
2. Adjustable transparency of the clock on the lock screen - A nice gadget that no one asked for, but everyone will be sliding the bar for 10 minutes to find “that perfect effect.”
3. Flashing screen with notifications - The entire screen joins the flashlight. Handy if your phone often lies screen up – or if you want to look like you’re using a strobe light with every text.
4. Offline song lyrics in Apple Music - Have downloaded music? You have lyrics. Even in a tunnel, on the subway, and in the countryside where LTE arrives via registered mail.
5. Alarms in Reminders - Finally, real alarms. Not a notification that you can ignore, but a RING that won’t let you pretend you “didn’t see it.”
6. Games App – they sorted it out - Sorting, filters, easier tidying up of the mess. Just what should have been there since iOS 18… but shhh.
7. AirDrop with a one-time PIN and 30-day connection - Sending something to someone not in your contacts? PIN, click, and you’re done. And that lasts for a whole month.
9. Live Translation in the EU - System-wide live translations – finally available in Europe. No more pretending that you know French just because you can say “baguette.”
Is iOS 26.2 a big update?
For Poles and other countries without access to their language? Definitely. The ability to swap Siri for Gemini or ChatGPT is a complete game changer. This is a change that Apple has resisted for years. It's the end of the "dead button" in Poland.
Other new features? Nice additions that improve life and will give you a week of fun before you go back to scrolling TikTok in bed at 2am.
