There’s less and less time until the iOS 27 presentation, which means leaks about the new operating system are getting more interesting. The unexpected news is that Apple will give users the ability to choose third-party AI services for Apple Intelligence features. This applies not just to Siri, but to a whole range of tasks: generating and editing text and images right within system features on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
A third-party neural network in iOS 27 will be able to work across the entire system, not just within its own app
ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude in iOS 27: What Will Change for iPhone
Apple is planning to let users choose third-party AI services in its operating systems. Previously, Apple Intelligence was built mainly on Apple’s own models with ChatGPT connected in select scenarios. Now the approach is changing: users will be able to choose from several third-party AI models for tasks such as text and image generation and editing.
A wide selection of different AIs will appear
Essentially, Apple is no longer the sole provider of “brains” for its AI features and is turning iPhone and Mac into a platform where competing third-party models coexist. The logic is the same as with the search engine in Safari: the user decides whom to trust.
When Will iOS 27 with New AI Features for iPhone Be Released
The change is planned for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 this fall. This follows Apple’s standard schedule: announcement at WWDC in the summer, public release in September alongside new iPhones.
An important nuance: not all AI services compatible with Apple’s operating systems are known yet. Apple will reveal specific partnerships closer to the presentation or during it.
The practical benefit of this innovation is clear and straightforward:
On Mac and iPad, AI tools for text and images are especially useful in everyday work
- you can choose the model that handles a specific task best — for example, one for text, another for images
- no need to install separate apps and switch between them: AI works directly in iPhone system features
- if one model makes mistakes or censors requests too aggressively, there’s an alternative without changing devices
For a regular iPhone owner, this primarily means more flexibility without extra setup. For those who work with text and graphics — a real opportunity to pick the right tool for their needs.
Will Third-Party Neural Networks in iOS 27 Be Free
ChatGPT is already integrated into Siri, but many find that insufficient
It’s not yet fully clear how the new iOS 27 feature will work, and this is an important gap. Open questions:
- will advanced third-party models be free, or will they require a subscription from the AI provider itself, as is currently the case with the ChatGPT integration
- which features will remain with Apple’s own models, and which can be fully handed over to third parties
- how this will work in regions where Apple Intelligence is officially unavailable or limited
A separate question is privacy. Apple usually emphasizes that its own AI features run on-device or through Private Cloud Compute. Third-party models mean third-party servers and third-party data processing policies. Before switching models, it’s worth understanding where your requests go, especially when it comes to work documents.
Why Apple Is Opening iPhone to Third-Party Neural Networks
Apple is effectively acknowledging that it can’t win the AI model race on its own and is taking the platform approach: not one built-in AI, but a marketplace of models within the system. This is similar to how alternative default browsers and third-party email clients appeared in the past.
Apple has found a very clever way to offset the shortcomings of its own AI
For users, this is good news: less dependence on how quickly Apple catches up with competitors. For Apple itself — a way to save face and retain users in its ecosystem, even if its own models turn out not to be the strongest.
For now, this is an insider report from Bloomberg, not an official announcement. Details — the list of models, terms of use, regional availability — Apple will most likely reveal at WWDC this summer. Until then, this news should be taken as the direction the company is heading, not as a finalized list of features.
If you’re already planning to update to iOS 27 this fall — this is simply a nice bonus that requires no additional action on your part. If you’re on an older iPhone and thinking about upgrading because of AI, there’s no rush: the exact list of compatible devices and models hasn’t been announced yet, and Apple Intelligence in its full capacity has historically worked only on the latest iPhones.
