Apple is reportedly gearing up for a major overhaul of its Shortcuts app by integrating Apple Intelligence, its proprietary AI framework, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. This upcoming update could make automating tasks on iPhone, iPad, and Mac easier than ever—powered by natural language commands and advanced AI models.
How Apple Intelligence Will Transform Shortcuts
Today, Apple’s Shortcuts app allows users to manually build automated workflows—known as shortcuts—that can do things like send messages, set reminders, or control smart home devices. These automations work across the Apple ecosystem and can be triggered with a tap or a Siri command.
But the process still requires some level of technical understanding. That’s about to change.
With Apple Intelligence integration, Apple aims to make Shortcuts radically more intuitive. Instead of piecing together actions manually, users will be able to describe what they want in plain language—like “send a daily morning weather update to my group chat”—and the system will automatically generate the shortcut.
If successful, this upgrade will make automation accessible to everyday users, not just power users or developers.
Taking on Microsoft Copilot and TaskGPT
This smart Shortcuts experience puts Apple in more direct competition with Microsoft’s Copilot+ on Windows and third-party tools like TaskGPT on macOS. Apple’s approach mirrors a broader industry trend where tech giants are embedding AI into everyday workflows.
Siri has fallen behind in recent years compared to more dynamic AI assistants. But by baking Apple Intelligence into Shortcuts, Apple may finally be making the move to catch up—and possibly leap ahead.
Release Timeline: Delayed to 2026?
Although Apple initially targeted a 2025 release, Gurman reports that delays related to the updated Siri could push the Shortcuts revamp to 2026. That means the upgraded Shortcuts experience might not ship alongside iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS 26 (Tahoe) this fall.
While disappointing, the delay could allow Apple to fine-tune the AI features and ensure a seamless experience across all devices.
Why This Update Matters
This is more than just a routine update—it’s a fundamental shift in how Apple users will interact with their devices. Bringing conversational AI to Shortcuts could open the door for a new wave of productivity and personalization, no matter your tech expertise.
Whether you’re automating email replies, launching a morning routine, or syncing across devices, Apple’s AI-powered Shortcuts could soon make it effortless.
What do you think about Apple bringing AI to Shortcuts? Are you ready to automate with natural language? Let us know in the comments.
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