Leaks: iOS, iPadOS and macOS 27 to allow third‑party AI providers

Apple is reportedly planning a broader opening for Apple Intelligence in its next major software cycle, with iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27 expected to support outside AI providers rather than relying only on Apple’s own models and the current ChatGPT tie-in. Bloomberg reported on May 5 that users will be able to choose from multiple third-party models for tasks including text generation and image editing, citing people familiar with the plans. (bloomberg.com) Test software described by 9to5Mac points to an internal system called “Extensions” that would let installed apps supply AI agents to Siri and other system features. Apple has already laid groundwork for a more modular AI stack. In June 2025, the company said developers would get access to the on-device foundation model behind Apple Intelligence, and Craig Federighi said Apple was “giving developers direct access” to that model for private, offline features inside apps. (9to5mac.com) Apple’s current public position still centers on Apple-built models, privacy, and systemwide integration across iPhone, iPad and Mac. ### How is this different from Apple’s current AI setup? Apple introduced ChatGPT integration with Siri in 2024, but Apple Intelligence today is still presented as an Apple-controlled layer built into the operating system. Apple’s June 2025 announcements described Apple Intelligence as integrated across system apps and powered by Apple’s own on-device and cloud-backed models. 9to5Mac reported that Apple had originally signaled interest in adding more providers, but that expansion did not arrive in the current generation. (bloomberg.com) Bloomberg’s May 5 report goes further than a one-off partnership. It said Apple plans to let users select from a range of outside AI services across its software, with the change slated for this fall’s iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27 releases. (apple.com) ### What would “Extensions” actually change on the device? Test software cited by 9to5Mac says “Extensions allow agents from installed apps to work with Siri, the Siri app and other features on your devices.” The report said users would be sent to a new App Store section to add compatible AI services, and that chatbot apps would need updates from their developers to participate. (apple.com) That would make the operating system the routing layer. Instead of Apple hardwiring one outside model into one feature, the system could hand off requests to a user-selected provider for tasks such as writing, editing or image generation, according to Bloomberg’s description of the plan. (bloomberg.com) ### Which companies are named in the reporting? Google and Anthropic are the outside providers most often named in the reports around the feature. Bloomberg said Apple users would be able to choose among third-party models, while follow-on coverage from 9to5Mac said Anthropic’s Claude app could work with Siri under the proposed system and that Apple also has a separate Google arrangement tied to Gemini models for unreleased Siri and Apple Intelligence features. (9to5mac.com) Apple has not publicly confirmed support for Gemini, Claude or any other provider in iOS 27. Apple’s official Apple Intelligence pages and 2025 WWDC materials describe Apple-built models, developer access to the on-device model, and privacy protections, but they do not announce a third-party model marketplace. (bloomberg.com) ### Why does this matter for apps and developers? Apple said in June 2025 that developers could already tap the on-device Apple Intelligence model inside their apps. An Extensions-style system would add a second layer: outside AI apps plugging into system surfaces such as Siri, writing tools or other Apple Intelligence features, if the reports are accurate. (bloomberg.com) That would likely require participating apps to ship compatibility updates and give users a way to choose among providers inside settings or the App Store flow described in the testing builds. 9to5Mac reported that those app updates would be necessary after Apple announces the system. (apple.com) ### When would Apple confirm any of this? WWDC is scheduled for June 8, according to 9to5Mac’s report on iOS 27, and Apple historically uses that event to preview the next versions of iOS, iPadOS and macOS. Apple previewed iOS 26 and new Apple Intelligence features at WWDC on June 9, 2025, before releasing them later that fall. (apple.com) If Apple keeps the same timetable, the next concrete milestone will be the WWDC keynote and developer sessions in June, followed by beta software and app updates from providers that want to plug into any new Extensions framework. (9to5mac.com)