Apple is preparing one of its boldest moves yet in Apple Intelligence, with reports that users will soon be able to choose third-party AI models for writing, image generation and editing across the company’s software ecosystem. For a tech giant that has traditionally kept tight control over its platform, the shift marks a major rethink — and one that could reshape how millions of iPhone, iPad and Mac users interact with artificial intelligence.
According to a Bloomberg News report, the change is expected to arrive with iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27 this spring. Apple is reportedly calling the feature “Extensions”, and it would allow users to select which AI service powers certain Apple Intelligence tools through the Settings app. In practical terms, that means Apple’s own AI layer could become more flexible, letting users tap into external model providers rather than being locked into a single system.
The report said Apple is building the feature so that outside AI companies can opt in by adding compatibility through their App Store applications. That opens the door for a much broader ecosystem of AI tools to sit behind Apple’s interface, while still keeping the user experience inside Apple’s polished software environment. Our readers will know this is a significant departure for a company that has long preferred to keep its biggest services tightly curated.
Sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that Apple has already been testing integrations with at least Google and Anthropic. That detail is particularly important because it suggests the company is not just experimenting with abstract concepts, but actively preparing real-world partnerships. If those tests move into production, users could eventually be able to switch between competing AI engines depending on the task at hand.
For Apple, the timing makes sense. The company has been under pressure to catch up with rivals that moved faster on generative AI. Google has pushed Gemini aggressively across its products, while Microsoft has embedded AI deeply into Windows and its broader software stack. Apple, by contrast, has taken a more cautious approach, preferring to emphasise privacy, device-level processing and a slower rollout of new features.
That slower pace has not gone unnoticed. While Apple has promoted Apple Intelligence as a key part of its future, many analysts and users have questioned whether the company is doing enough to keep pace in a market where AI updates are now a major reason people upgrade devices. The ability to let users swap out AI models could be Apple’s way of responding without abandoning its core brand promise of control and simplicity.
Apple Intelligence could become more flexible as Apple opens the door to third-party models
The most eye-catching part of the reported plan is the idea that Apple Intelligence may no longer be limited to a single in-house or default model. Instead, users may be able to choose from different providers depending on their preference, use case or confidence in a particular AI system. For some, that could mean better writing help. For others, it may mean stronger image generation or more reliable editing tools.
This could also give Apple a way to compete without having to build every advanced model itself. By creating the framework and user interface, Apple can let external partners handle much of the heavy lifting while still keeping the experience seamless for the user. That is classic Apple: control the ecosystem, even when the brains behind the feature come from elsewhere.
There is also a strategic angle here. If Apple can offer third-party AI options while maintaining its privacy-heavy image, it may be able to persuade more cautious users to embrace generative AI. That matters in South Africa and elsewhere, where many consumers are interested in AI but remain wary about data use, accuracy and security. A model-selection system could give users more confidence by allowing them to pick the service they trust most.
Bloomberg also reported that Apple is expected to unveil more details at its annual developer conference in June. That event is traditionally one of the biggest dates on the Apple calendar, and this year it may carry even more weight as the company looks to set out its broader AI roadmap. Developers, app makers and investors will all be watching closely for clues on how serious Apple is about opening its software stack.
The news comes at a time when Apple is enjoying strong commercial momentum despite the AI race. Last week, the company said it expects third-quarter sales growth of 14% to 17%, comfortably ahead of Wall Street’s 9.5% forecast. Apple said demand for its iPhone 17 and MacBook Neo has been stronger than expected, giving the business room to manoeuvre even as it works to sharpen its AI strategy.
That financial strength gives Apple the breathing space to take a more deliberate approach than its rivals. Still, the pressure is real. Consumers now expect AI features to arrive quickly and to improve constantly, not years down the line. In that context, opening Apple Intelligence to third-party models may be less of a cosmetic tweak and more of a necessary step to stay relevant in a rapidly shifting market.
Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the report. For now, the company is keeping its cards close to its chest, but the direction is clear enough. If the leak proves accurate, iOS 27 could mark a turning point in how Apple handles artificial intelligence — one where users, not just Apple, get a say in which model powers the experience.
For South African Apple users, the prospect is worth watching closely. Better AI choices on iPhone and Mac could mean more useful everyday tools, from polished writing assistance to smarter image workflows. And if Apple gets this right, Apple Intelligence may finally become the kind of flexible, competitive platform many users have been waiting for.