iOS 27 will let iPhone users choose their own AI models including Google and Anthropic through a new Extensions feature

[nihalsari]

Apple is planning to give iPhone users the ability to swap between third-party AI models across its core operating system features in iOS 27, according to a Bloomberg report. The feature, internally called Extensions, will allow users to access generative AI capabilities from installed apps on demand through Apple Intelligence features including Siri, Writing Tools, and Image Playground. Models from Google and Anthropic are reportedly being tested now alongside the existing ChatGPT integration, which is expected to remain as one of the available options. The same capability will extend to iPadOS 27 and macOS 27, meaning the multi-model choice architecture will apply across Apple's entire device ecosystem rather than being limited to iPhone.
The move is a significant strategic pivot for Apple, which has been widely characterized as behind its peers in AI development given its slower pace of new AI service launches. Rather than competing directly with OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic on model development, Apple is positioning itself as a neutral distribution layer that lets users bring their preferred AI into the iPhone experience. This approach plays to Apple's core hardware advantage: the company already has one of the world's largest installed bases of premium devices and a deeply trusted operating system, and turning that into a platform for third-party AI models requires less infrastructure investment than building competitive frontier models from scratch. Incoming CEO John Ternus, who takes over from Tim Cook later this year, inherits a company that is generating meaningful AI revenue while betting that owning the user relationship and the device layer matters more than owning the model in a market where capable AI is increasingly available from multiple sources.

[lingriiddd]

Apple was losing the AI race so they said fine, everyone else can run on our phone, very elegant solution