Apple · 2026-05-05 · major
Apple iOS 27 'Extensions' — Users Will Pick Third-Party AI Models for Siri, Writing Tools, Image Playground
Apple is wiring a new 'Extensions' feature into iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27 that lets users swap third-party AI models — Anthropic, Google and others — into Siri, Writing Tools, Image Playground and other Apple Intelligence surfaces.
Apple is letting users plug Claude, Gemini, or another model into Siri instead of using only ChatGPT.
What is it?
A new 'Extensions' framework Apple is testing for iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27, due this fall. It lets any AI provider that adds support through the App Store hook into Apple Intelligence features such as Siri, Writing Tools, and Image Playground. Apple itself is internally testing integrations with Google and Anthropic in addition to the existing ChatGPT integration.
How does it work?
Per a Bloomberg report by Mark Gurman, an internal description in test builds reads: 'Extensions allow you to access generative AI capabilities from installed apps on demand, through Apple Intelligence features such as Siri, Writing Tools, Image Playground and more.' Users will pick their preferred provider in Settings → Apple Intelligence & Siri → Extensions; the chosen app's model then powers on-demand calls when an Apple Intelligence feature needs generative AI. The setup runs alongside Apple's previously confirmed Gemini-based partnership for the rebuilt Siri.
Why does it matter?
It is the clearest sign yet that Apple has given up on competing on frontier model quality and is instead positioning Apple Intelligence as a router for whichever third-party model a user prefers. For Anthropic, Mistral, xAI and others it opens a distribution channel into 2B+ Apple devices that has, until now, been exclusive to ChatGPT.
Who is it for?
Apple users; AI model providers eyeing Siri-level distribution.
Try it
Settings → Apple Intelligence & Siri → Extensions (in iOS 27 betas later this year)