Apple continues working on a feature for the Shortcuts app that will allow generating custom actions using Apple Intelligence — for example, through a voice command in natural language. This is evidenced by server-side code discovered by developer Nicolás Álvarez and confirmed by MacRumors. We already know that Siri in iOS 27 will get a standalone app, and now Shortcuts will also become much more accessible for those who previously found it too complicated.
iOS 27 Shortcuts App custom actions with AI. Image: macrumors.com
What Are Shortcuts on iPhone
Shortcuts is a built-in app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac that lets you automate everyday tasks. You can create chains of actions: for example, with a single tap send a message, start navigation, and play music. Or set up automatic smart home control on a schedule.
The app appeared in 2018 after Apple acquired the independent tool Workflow. Since then, Shortcuts has become more powerful but remained complex: to build a non-trivial automation, you need to manually construct logic from dozens of blocks. Many iPhone owners don’t even open this app.
How Shortcuts Will Work in iOS 27
The essence of the discovered feature: instead of manually assembling automation step by step, users will be able to simply describe the desired action — by voice or text. Apple Intelligence will generate the shortcut itself.
This is fundamentally different from what Apple already added in iOS 26. In the current version, AI models can be used within existing shortcuts (for example, as one of the automation steps). In the new version, AI will create the shortcuts themselves from scratch. The difference is like between a calculator and an assistant who does the math for you.
Practical example: you tell Siri “Every morning at 8:00, turn on the bedroom lights, show the weather, and play a podcast” — and Shortcuts assembles the entire chain automatically. Currently, this requires opening the app, finding the right actions, arranging them in the correct order, and setting up a trigger.
When Will iOS 27 Be Released and What Does New Siri Have to Do with It
The new feature will be part of iOS 27, meaning it will be shown in early June at WWDC. Image: 9to5mac.com
According to MacRumors, Apple had planned to release the feature back in 2025, but the timeline shifted. It is now expected that the shortcut generator will be included in iOS 27, the announcement of which will likely take place at WWDC in the summer of 2026.
Important context: in iOS 27, Apple is also preparing a major Siri update that should turn it into a full-fledged conversational assistant capable of interacting with apps. It’s logical to assume that Shortcuts generation will become part of the updated Siri — you simply ask the assistant to automate something, and it does everything on its own.
What are Shortcuts and why you need them on iPhone
However, for now this is a rumor based on server-side code and journalist reports. Apple has not officially announced anything, and specific timelines could shift again.
Which iPhones Will Get iOS 27 with AI-Powered Shortcut Generation
The exact list of compatible devices for iOS 27 is not yet known — Apple will announce it closer to the reveal. But it’s worth considering a key limitation: Apple Intelligence features currently work only on iPhone 16 and newer (as well as iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max).
iPhone 15 Pro — the minimum model for AI access in Shortcuts. Image: wired.com
If shortcut generation relies on Apple Intelligence, older models will most likely not get it — even if iOS 27 itself can be installed on them. This is important for those considering an upgrade: if you have an iPhone 14 or older, the new AI features in Shortcuts probably won’t reach you.
Who Will Benefit from the New Shortcuts on iPhone
Currently, Shortcuts is actively used by enthusiasts and power users. AI-powered action generation could change the situation:
With AI, Shortcuts could truly come into their own. Image: wired.com
- Regular users — no need to understand automation logic, just describe the task in words
- Smart home owners — easier to set up complex HomeKit scenarios without manual assembly
- Those who already use Shortcuts — faster creation of routine shortcuts, less manual work
The main question is how accurately AI will understand requests and create working shortcuts. If accuracy is low, the feature will remain a toy. If it’s high — this could truly make iPhone automation mainstream.
For now, this is a rumor supported by code findings and Apple’s previously stated plans. The feature looks like a logical part of the updated Siri in iOS 27, but it shouldn’t be expected before summer-fall 2026. For those interested in automation but too lazy to deal with blocks and conditions — it’s worth keeping an eye on WWDC announcements. Everyone else can safely continue using what’s already available.
