Your iPad’s Camera app is getting a new way to identify objects and learn about what’s around you, without switching to another app.
With iPadOS 27.3, Apple is bringing the Siri tab to the iPad Camera app, making Visual Intelligence accessible directly alongside the usual camera modes.
The feature first appeared on the iPhone 15 Pro and newer models with iOS 27. On iPad, it adds support for Apple Pencil, taking advantage of the tablet’s larger display.
How Siri Mode Works in the iPad Camera App
The new Siri tab lets you point your iPad’s camera at an object or scene and ask Visual Intelligence for information about what you’re seeing.
Apple Pencil makes the experience more precise. After taking a photo, you can circle a particular object with the Pencil and ask Siri about it.
For example, you could photograph several objects, circle the one you’re interested in, and request information about that specific item.
Visual Intelligence was already available on compatible iPads, so this isn’t an entirely new capability.
The improvement is convenience. Instead of accessing Visual Intelligence separately, you can now use it directly within the Camera app.
Which iPads Support the New Siri Tab?
The feature requires an iPad compatible with Apple Intelligence, including:
- iPad Pro: Models with an M1 chip or newer.
- iPad Air: Models with an M1 chip or newer.
- iPad mini: Models with an A17 Pro or A20 Pro chip.
These devices must also be running iPadOS 27.3 or later.
One Camera App Frustration Could Carry Over
On iPhone, the Siri tab sits between Photo and Portrait modes, a placement that can make it easy to select accidentally when switching camera modes.
Apple currently doesn’t provide an option to hide or rearrange these tabs.
It’s unclear whether the iPad version will have the same limitation, although the first beta should provide a clearer picture of how the interface works on larger screens.
iPadOS 27.3 is currently available to developers, with a public release expected in December.
