Why You Care
Ever wonder if your phone could get smarter without sending all your data to the cloud? What if your favorite apps could offer more personalized help, right on your device? Apple’s new approach to artificial intelligence (AI) in iOS 26 is making this a reality. Developers are now integrating local AI models directly into their applications. This means more intelligent features for you, often with enhanced privacy and speed.
What Actually Happened
Earlier this year, Apple introduced its Foundation Models structure during WWDC 2025, as detailed in the blog post. This structure lets developers use Apple’s local AI models directly on user devices. The company reports that this gives developers access to AI without worrying about inference costs. Inference costs are the expenses associated with running AI models, usually on remote servers. What’s more, these local models include capabilities like guided generation and tool calling built-in. As iOS 26 rolls out, many apps are already updating to include these new AI-powered features. Apple’s models are smaller than those from companies like OpenAI or Google, the research shows. Consequently, these local-only features primarily improve an app’s quality of life, rather than completely overhauling its core workflow.
Why This Matters to You
So, what does this mean for your daily app experience? Imagine your journaling app suggesting titles or prompts based on your entries, all handled on your device. Or consider a recipe app that can scale ingredients for you instantly. These are the kinds of practical benefits you can expect. The company reports that developers gain access to AI models “without worrying about any inference cost.” This encourages more developers to add smart features without passing on extra charges to you.
Here are some examples of apps already using Apple’s local AI models:
| App Name | AI-Powered Feature |
| Lil Artist | Generates images directly on the device |
| Daylish | Summarizes daily entries |
| MoneyCoach | Provides weekly insights on spending habits |
| LookUp | Generates examples for new words, maps word origins |
| Tasks | Suggests tags when you enter a new task |
| Day One | Summarizes entries, suggests titles, generates prompts |
| Crouton | Scales ingredients, helps with recipe adjustments |
| Signeasy | Automatically detects fields for signing |
| Dark Noise | Creates custom soundscapes based on preferences |
| Lights Out | Analyzes lighting conditions for better photos |
| Capture | Organizes notes, suggests related content |
| Lumy | Provides personalized sun and weather insights |
| CardPointers | Analyzes spending for credit card rewards |
How will these new smart features make your digital life easier and more efficient? For example, the Day One journaling app can now summarize your entries and suggest titles, as detailed in the blog post. This saves you time and helps you reflect more deeply. Think of it as having a personal assistant inside your favorite apps, always ready to help.
The Surprising Finding
Here’s an interesting twist: while larger AI models from companies like OpenAI dominate headlines, Apple’s strategy focuses on smaller, local AI models. The technical report explains that Apple’s models are “small compared with leading models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, or Meta.” This might seem counterintuitive. However, this design choice is deliberate. It allows these models to run efficiently directly on your iPhone or iPad. This focus on on-device processing means enhanced privacy, as your data doesn’t leave your device. It also means quicker responses, as there’s no need to send information to a remote server and wait for a reply. This challenges the common assumption that bigger AI models are always better. Instead, Apple prioritizes practical, privacy-centric enhancements for everyday app use.
What Happens Next
We can expect more apps to integrate Apple’s local AI models in the coming months. Developers will likely explore even more creative ways to use guided generation and tool calling. For example, a photo editing app might use local AI to suggest optimal filters based on image content. This could happen as soon as early 2026, as more developers become familiar with the structure. The industry implications are significant. This move could set a new standard for on-device AI integration across mobile platforms. If you’re a developer, consider exploring Apple’s Foundation Models structure to add smart, private features to your apps. For users, keep an eye out for updates to your favorite apps. You might find new, intelligent capabilities appearing soon. As Devin, a developer for the Crouton app, stated, “Loving Foundation Model access on iOS 26, so many possibilities.”