Apple is on track to introduce a new capability that empowers users to select which third-party artificial intelligence models drive text and image generation tasks across its upcoming operating systems. According to insider reports, the feature—codenamed “Extensions” internally—will debut with iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 later this year. It will enable users to navigate to the Settings app and decide which AI services handle Apple Intelligence functions.
To make this possible, AI developers can integrate support for the feature through their App Store applications. Apple has already been experimenting with connections to models from Google and Anthropic. The flexibility is expected to enhance user control over how AI tools work on iPhones, iPads, and Macs, while helping Apple compete with Microsoft and Google, both of which have already launched consumer AI products.
Google’s Gemini model is also slated to bolster an upgraded version of Siri later this year, marking another step in Apple’s AI expansion. The company plans to reveal more details at its annual developer conference in June, where the next phase of its AI strategy will be outlined.
This development follows a recent settlement in which Apple agreed to pay $250 million to resolve claims that it exaggerated the capabilities of Apple Intelligence and Siri. The proposed class action lawsuit, filed last year, accused Apple of misleading consumers through advertising that promised enhanced Siri functionality and other AI features. Apple denied wrongdoing but chose to settle.