Apple is looking at ways to better support apps that include AI agents and AI coding capabilities in the App Store, according to reports from The Information. Apple is designing a system that will maintain its security and privacy standards while allowing the use of AI features in apps, but details on how the system will work are not available.
See also: How AI Agents Can Become Hackers
Apple began blocking updates for some popular vibe coding apps in March because the apps violated App Store rules that prohibit apps from running code that changes their own functionality or that of other apps. Vibe coding apps allow users to create apps and websites with little or no coding experience, using AI agents and natural language prompts. Vibe coding has become popular, and Apple’s rules have not been able to keep up.
Apps that include AI agents present similar problems for Apple. AI agents can autonomously complete complex actions and create applets using tools and capabilities that traditionally wouldn't be supported by the App Store rules. Apple will need to make changes to keep up with the software trends that developers and users want.
Apple wants to integrate AI agents into the App Store while avoiding some of the problems people have faced with malicious AI agents deleting content and causing other problems.
As it works to prepare for future AI applications, Apple is also developing its own AI capabilities. Siri is expected to get a major upgrade in iOS 27, making it smarter and able to compete with Claude and ChatGPT. Apple has partnered with Google to use custom Gemini models to power Siri.
See also: Claude Chrome Extension: Vulnerability allows full control of AI agent
The Information reports that Apple has begun reaching out to app developers to integrate app features like booking flights and sending calendar invites into the new version of Siri and Apple Intelligence. Some developers are hesitant to work with Apple to integrate their apps into Siri because they are concerned about providing new ways for Apple to collect commissions.
Apple is telling some developers that it doesn’t plan to charge fees during the early stages of the partnership, but that fees are a possibility in the future. Apple has held talks with Baidu, Alibaba, and Tencent about integrating Siri into iOS 27, but the companies don’t want to end up paying Apple fees.
Apple also plans to let users choose from multiple chatbots to use with Siri, rather than being limited to OpenAI's ChatGPT. AI models from companies like Anthropic or Google could be used for Image Playground and Writing Tools in the same way ChatGPT is used today.
It’s unclear whether Apple plans to open up iOS further to third-party chatbots, but OpenAI is reportedly frustrated with Apple’s limitations. ChatGPT can be used to generate images and text through the iOS integration, but it can’t access users’ emails or other personal information. Customers also rarely use the functionality, according to The Information.
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The new version of Siri is expected to be unveiled at the WWDC keynote on June 8, and Apple's plans for agentic AI apps in the App Store could also be discussed at the same time.
