iOS 27 Shortcuts App Will Use Apple Intelligence to Write Custom Actions

Creating complex automations on your iPhone is about to become effortless, eliminating the steep learning curve that has long plagued the Shortcuts app. Apple is actively developing a groundbreaking feature for iOS 27 that leverages Apple Intelligence to automatically generate custom actions based on simple natural language prompts. This shift promises to democratize device automation, turning a niche power-user tool into a mainstream utility.

According to backend code discovered by Nicolás Alvarez and subsequently confirmed by MacRumors, the upcoming update will fundamentally change how users interact with their devices. Originally born from the 2017 acquisition of Workflow, the Shortcuts app has historically required users to manually string together commands to control smart home devices or send automated messages. While iOS 26 introduced basic Apple Intelligence support allowing AI models to be incorporated into existing workflows, iOS 27 takes a massive leap forward.

The new iteration will empower users to actually create these actions from scratch using voice commands. Last June, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple was developing this AI-driven capability for a 2025 release. However, anticipated delays have pushed the launch into the iOS 27 cycle in 2026.

• Natural Language Generation: Users will simply tell their device what they want to achieve, and the AI will write the underlying logic and connect the necessary app hooks.
• Revamped Siri Integration: The feature is expected to tie into a newly upgraded Siri, which will function as a genuine conversational chatbot capable of deep, multi-step app interactions.
• Mainstream Accessibility: By removing the need to understand complex variables, scripting, and conditional formatting, automation will finally reach a mass audience.

This development represents a critical pivot for Apple's software ecosystem. For years, Shortcuts has been a highly capable tool locked behind a wall of technical complexity, utilized primarily by enthusiasts. By integrating a generative AI model directly into the creation process, Apple is effectively turning every iPhone user into a basic programmer without them ever needing to see a line of code.

The integration with a conversational Siri in iOS 27 is the missing puzzle piece for Apple's AI strategy. If Siri can understand context and instantly build a multi-step shortcut - like "text my ETA to my partner and turn on the porch lights when I leave work" - it transforms the iPhone from a passive tool into a proactive assistant. This move directly challenges competitors by deeply embedding AI into the core functionality of the operating system, proving that Apple's endgame is seamless utility rather than just offering a standalone chatbot.