Apple starts giving Siri AI access to third-party apps

Apple is enhancing its Siri AI to interact with a broader spectrum of third-party applications. As part of the iOS 27.3 update set to launch on Tuesday, Apple has granted developers the ability to incorporate Siri AI's capabilities into "all apps." This integration allows the voice assistant to account for users' personal context, interpret natural language prompts, and utilize on-screen awareness to fulfill requests.

The update also introduces a new "app skills" feature, enabling third-party developers to consolidate multiple tasks into a single, streamlined action. According to Apple's developer documentation, users will no longer need to specify an app's name when requesting assistance while the app is in the foreground, through a Live Activity, or during a conversation about the app with Siri AI.

For instance, users could request a ride through a ride-sharing app, monitor updates to the app's Live Activity while waiting for their ride, and then specify a new pickup location by saying, "Hey Siri, change my ride pickup to a new address." Apple has expanded Siri AI's capabilities to its own apps, such as Calendar, Files, Finder, Journal, Mail, Maps, Messages, Music, Notes, Photos, Preview, Reminders, Safari, Shortcuts, and Weather.

Users will be able to execute tasks like locating a café they visited last week or archiving files not accessed in over a year. Apple encourages users to inquire about Siri AI's capabilities within each app.