Apple has recently unveiled its latest update for iPhone users—iOS 18.4 Developer Beta 1, which launched on February 22, 2025. Among the many features included, the most notable is the introduction of Vietnamese language support for Siri, Apple's acclaimed virtual assistant. After years of anticipation, this update marks a significant milestone for Vietnamese users who can now communicate with Siri using their native tongue.
Siri, which made its debut back on the iPhone 4S in 2011, has long had support for multiple languages, yet Vietnamese users have patiently waited 14 years for this functionality. With the arrival of iOS 18.4 Beta, Apple aims to bridge this gap, enabling users to issue commands such as making phone calls, sending messages, and retrieving information entirely in Vietnamese.
Reported by GenK, one of the key highlights of this update is the ability for users to train Siri to recognize and respond to verbal cues by saying, "Hey Siri." Users are instructed to say five specific phrases—in Vietnamese, rather than English—enabling Siri to adapt and improve its accuracy when responding to commands. This feature brings the experience closer to home for Vietnamese users, enhancing the personal touch of their interactions with technology.
While users can enjoy this new language support, it's worth noting the limitations. Currently, the Apple Intelligence features—driven by AI—do not yet include support for Vietnamese, with Apple planning to roll out this integration sometime in 2025. Despite this, the introduction of Vietnamese language support for Siri is seen as a substantial leap forward and is eagerly welcomed by the community.
Also included are additional customization options: users can select from four different Siri voices reflecting various regional accents across Vietnam. This customization is intended to provide a more localized user experience, making Siri feel more relatable and familiar.
For those eager to try out the features of iOS 18.4 Beta, Apple has set up guidelines for accessing the Beta program. To participate, users can navigate to Settings, then General, and select Software Update. After registering with their Apple ID, they can download the latest iOS 18.4 Beta. Apple has warned, though, as is common with Beta versions, this software may contain bugs, and users seeking stability might prefer to wait for the official release, anticipated later this month.
With the introduction of Vietnamese on Siri, Apple not only responds to user demands but also bolsters its position against competitors like Google Assistant, which has offered support for Vietnamese for some time. This move by Apple demonstrates its commitment to making its ecosystem more inclusive and accessible, thereby enhancing user engagement.
Despite some existing limitations, the overall sentiment among users is one of excitement. Many view this as just the beginning of Apple's endeavor to embrace more languages and dialects globally. Tech observers anticipate even more advancements and updates, particularly as Apple continues to refine its AI offerings and expand assistant capabilities.
Overall, the addition of Vietnamese language support is expected to enrich the experience of millions of iPhone users, fostering more natural and authentic communication. It embodies how technology is progressively adapting to cater to diverse audiences, breaking down language barriers one update at a time.
While we eagerly await the full release of iOS 18.4 and its final features, one thing is clear: Apple's latest move is set to welcome many more users to the innovative world of Siri.
This update is not just about usability; it heralds a future where personal assistants can communicate across languages, cultivating global community interaction even through technology.