On a Mac in 2026, Siri can message people, set reminders, add calendar events and open apps, and Siri AI, in beta since September, adds onscreen awareness and actions in Apple's own apps. Its reach into third-party apps like Gmail and Slack depends on each developer. Ida offers direct connections to Gmail and Slack, with a confirmation before taking an action.

Siri is free, built in and getting better. This page sets out what it does today, where it stops, and which tool fits each job.

Siri compared with Ida

As of October 2026, based on Apple's macOS 27 pages and newsroom posts, and Ida's published product facts.

What happens when you ask Siri and Ida to reply in Gmail?

Say the request is "Reply to Maya in Gmail, Thursday works but not before ten."

With Siri, the dependable path runs through Apple's own apps: Apple's examples send email through the Mail app. Inside Gmail itself, Siri AI depends on Google adding support through App Intents.

With Ida, you hold the shortcut and say it. Ida writes the reply in Gmail, shows you the recipient and the text, and waits for you.

What can Siri do on a Mac today?

Classic Siri on macOS handles short, single-step requests. Apple's own examples include messaging a contact, sending email, setting up a meeting and opening Photos. You start Siri by holding the Microphone key, clicking its menu bar icon, or saying "Hey Siri" or "Siri." Apple's documentation is clear that "you must be connected to the internet to use Siri." Apple’s Siri examples Activation and connectivity

What is Siri AI, and what changed in macOS 27?

Siri AI arrived in beta, in English, on September 14, 2026. On the Mac, Siri AI arrives with macOS 27 and needs a Mac with Apple Intelligence, which means M1 or later. Siri AI launch announcement

Apple says Siri AI "can take actions in apps like Messages, Music, Reminders, and more," understands what's on your screen, and is built into Spotlight. Apple's models were "custom-built in collaboration with Google and its Gemini models," and requests that leave the Mac go to Private Cloud Compute, which Apple says doesn't store your personal data. Apple also notes that server features are "subject to daily usage limits," with expanded access to come "for a fee in the future." Apple Intelligence announcement macOS feature terms

In the MacStories review of macOS 27, John Voorhees found that "Siri integrates well with Calendar, Notes, Reminders, Mail, Messages, Maps, and Photos, although not perfectly." MacStories review

Can Siri work with Gmail, Slack and other third-party apps?

Only as far as each app's developer allows. Siri AI acts inside an app when that developer exposes its actions to Siri through Apple's App Intents framework, so coverage varies app by app. The same MacStories review found that many third-party apps "generally don't work or only work in limited ways." Apple describes more systemwide app actions and third-party integrations, such as Outlook, as coming later. MacStories on App Intents

Does Siri ask before it sends something?

For messages, by default, yes. Siri reads back a message and asks you to confirm before sending it, and Apple's settings include an option to "automatically send messages without Siri asking you to confirm." Apple's pages don't describe a confirmation step for the newer Siri AI app actions. Siri settings

Ida as a Siri alternative on Mac

Say "reply to Maya in Gmail, Thursday works but not before ten," or "tell Jordan on Slack the deck is ready," and Ida writes the message, shows you the recipient and the text, and waits. Ida can also create and reschedule Google Calendar events and post in Slack. Nothing happens until you say so, which we explain in why Ida asks before it acts.

Transcription runs in the cloud, or on your Mac if you prefer. Ida is free and runs on macOS 14 or later, on Intel and Apple silicon Macs.

Can you use Siri and Ida together?

Yes. They start in different ways, so they don't get in each other's way. A natural split is Siri for Apple's apps and quick system requests, and Ida for Gmail, Slack, Google Calendar and the other apps it connects to. For the wider landscape, including Shortcuts and dictation apps, see AI voice assistants for Mac: beyond dictation.

FAQ

Can Siri send a Gmail message on a Mac?

Siri can send email by voice, and Apple's examples use the Mail app. Inside Gmail itself, Siri AI depends on Google adding support through App Intents. Ida connects to Gmail directly and can write and send replies after showing you a confirmation. Apple’s documented examples

Does Siri work offline on a Mac?

No. Apple's Mac User Guide says you must be connected to the internet to use Siri. Some Apple Intelligence features run on the Mac itself, and Siri AI sends larger requests to Apple's Private Cloud Compute. Apple Dictation can work offline in supported languages once its speech models are downloaded. Siri connectivity requirements

Which Macs can run Siri AI?

Siri AI is part of Apple Intelligence, which needs a Mac with Apple silicon, M1 or later, running macOS 27. It launched in beta in English on September 14, 2026, and since October 26 it is also available in French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish, with macOS 27.2. Older Intel Macs keep classic Siri. Ida runs on macOS 14 or later on both Intel and Apple silicon Macs. Apple’s launch details More languages

Which one should you use?

It depends on the job, and Siri is still the right answer for some of them.

• Quick requests in Apple's apps. A reminder, a timer, a message in Messages, an event in Apple Calendar. Siri is already there and does these well.

• Typing what you say, word for word. Apple Dictation is free and built in. It is useful when you want spoken words entered into a text field.

• Dictation that comes out cleaned up, in any app. Ida writes what you say, tidied, wherever you're typing.

• Controlling the whole Mac by voice. Voice Control, Apple's accessibility feature, clicks, scrolls and edits for you.

• Replies, scheduling and messages in Gmail, Google Calendar, Slack or GitHub. This is what Ida is built for.