Apple is working closely with some of the biggest app developers to bring new capabilities through App Intents. These features will blend with Apple’s existing AI tools and work privately on your device, using what it knows about your location, habits, and needs.

What are App Intents and How Do They Help

App Intents are a way for apps to connect more deeply with Apple’s system features. Apple explains that this framework lets apps integrate their actions with Siri, Spotlight, widgets, and controls. For example, an app can tell Siri to perform specific tasks or show customized results in Spotlight.

Introduced in 2024, App Intents are already available in many apps. Not every app supports them yet, but Apple wants developers to adopt this technology. During a WWDC 2025 session, Apple highlighted that App Intents can make the main functions of an app accessible across the system. These functions are called the “verbs” of the app — actions like sending a message, booking a ride, or playing music.

Developers can combine their app’s “verbs” with those from other apps, creating a seamless experience for users. This means you might get tailored Spotlight results, new actions for your Apple Pencil, or context-aware commands for the Action Button. The goal is to make app functionalities more interconnected and easier to access.

Bringing Voice Control and Complex Tasks to Siri

One of the most exciting parts about App Intents is their ability to work with Siri and Shortcuts. This means you can control your iPhone just by talking. Mark Gurman, a well-known Apple watcher, says that once fully developed, App Intents could let you do almost everything on your device using only your voice. Imagine finding, editing, and sharing photos just by asking Siri.

The idea is to let you string together multiple commands from different apps, so complex tasks can be completed with a simple voice request. Apple’s 2024 announcement promised a smarter Siri, but the feature has faced delays. The company now says it’s making good progress and hopes to roll out the new AI tools in spring.

Challenges and Collaboration with Major Apps

A key challenge with App Intents is that app developers need to unlock specific functions—called “verbs”—using Apple’s APIs. Some developers are hesitant to open up their features, fearing that users might spend less time inside their apps. To address this, Apple is working with big names like Uber, Amazon, YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp, AllTrails, and Threads. These companies are helping ensure their most important functions are supported by App Intents.

But this cooperation raises questions. As major apps become more integrated across Apple’s ecosystem, smaller apps may find it harder to stand out. If users can do everything through Siri or system features, will smaller developers struggle to attract attention? Some wonder if the iOS environment could become dominated by a few big brands, similar to how the web is today, with only a handful of companies holding most of the user’s attention.

Another concern is how this shift might impact the economy of digital apps and services. If AI-driven automation makes tasks happen automatically, the way people interact with technology could change significantly.

Despite these challenges, working with top developers gives Apple valuable insights. It can help identify bugs and improve the system before launching the full set of AI features. Given the delays and hurdles faced so far, collaboration might be key to delivering a smooth experience when these tools officially arrive.

As Apple continues to develop these advanced AI and system integration features, many are eager to see how they will change the way we use our devices. The future of voice-controlled, interconnected apps looks promising, but it also raises questions about competition and innovation in the app ecosystem.

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Inspired by

• https://www.computerworld.com/article/4037554/to-make-ai-apple-is-cooking-with-app-intents.html

Sources

• gmpg.org
• apple.com
• vivaldi.net
• applemust.com
• podigee.com