### Apple Unveils Side Button Personalization for Voice Applications in Japan
A recent update from Apple’s Developer blog indicates that users in Japan will soon have the option to reassign the side button on their iPhones to activate third-party voice-driven conversational applications instead of Siri. This feature is included in the upcoming iOS 26.2 update, which is currently undergoing beta testing.
#### Currently Exclusive to Japan?
Recent findings in the iOS 26.2 beta 3 code demonstrate that Apple is working on a new capability that enables users to customize the assistant triggered by the side button. A new system application, known as ‘SystemVoiceAssistant,’ is tied to this feature, hinting at a major transformation in user interactions with their devices.
As stated in Apple’s documentation, this feature will initially be available exclusively in Japan. Developers can utilize the App Intents framework to enable users to access their app’s features directly via the side button. This implies that users could potentially launch a voice-driven app instantly by pressing the side button.
#### Guidelines for Developers
Apple has provided detailed instructions for developers to activate their voice-driven conversational applications for this new capability:
1. **Include Entitlement**: Developers need to add the `com.apple.developer.side-button-access.allow` entitlement within their app’s Xcode project.
2. **Develop App Intent**: An app intent that complies with the `activate` app intent schema must be developed.
3. **Set Up Audio Session**: In the `perform()` implementation of the app intent, developers should proceed to the scene that offers voice functionality and establish an audio session.
Apple highlights that, as users anticipate immediate engagement with the voice assistant upon pressing the side button, developers should ensure their applications are prepared to respond promptly.
#### Prospective Availability
Although Apple has not verified that this feature will be accessible with the official rollout of iOS 26.2, the recent code revisions imply that a launch is probable soon. The documentation also provides sample code to help developers in implementing this new capability.
At this moment, the feature is confined to Japan, and it is yet to be determined if Apple will extend this feature to additional regions in the future. Developers and users are encouraged to express their opinions regarding the possibility of wider availability in the comments section of the announcement.
For further details and to access Apple’s sample code, visit the [Apple Developer documentation](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/appintents/launching-your-voice-based-conversational-app-from-the-side-button-of-iphone).
