Apple is working on a revamped version of its Shortcuts app that will integrate Apple Intelligence. Shortcuts is a tool that lets users create custom workflows, or actions called shortcuts. These actions can include anything from sending messages to controlling smart home devices.

Action creation in Shortcuts with natural language commands

The app grew out of Workflow, which Apple acquired in 2017. Workflow was renamed Shortcuts the following year. The new version Apple is working on will allow users to create actions using Apple Intelligence models. In practice, this means users can create actions with the help of AI — for example, by giving voice commands in natural language. This should make the process easier and less daunting for regular users.

Microsoft has Copilot+ for Windows, which does something similar. Third-party AI agents like TaskGPT for macOS offer an equivalent experience, but Apple Intelligence doesn’t yet have a comparable AI tool in its feature suite. This is mainly because Siri doesn’t yet use large language models (LLMs). The company plans to fix this.

The Shortcuts app revamp was originally scheduled to be released this year, but due to delays, it could be released in 2026. Therefore, it is possible that it will not be included in macOS 26 or iOS/iPadOS 26 when they are released in September.

The Apple Intelligence integration will significantly expand the Shortcuts app’s usability. Currently, users require technical knowledge to create complex workflows. The new system will allow users to create complex automation scenarios using everyday language.

The Shortcuts app revamp is seen as a key part of Apple’s AI strategy. The company is integrating Apple Intelligence into several of its products to simplify and make the user experience more accessible. The move will increase Apple’s competitiveness against similar solutions from rivals.