Apple on Tuesday, Nov. 3, opened an early test version for app makers that lets any app hand its own custom actions to Siri AI, the new AI version of Apple's voice assistant. It comes with test versions of iOS 27.3 and the matching iPad, Mac and Vision Pro software. Siri can then carry out an app's actions when people ask in their own words, from checking a delivery to booking a reservation to placing an order, Apple says.
Apps could already work with Siri on common tasks. Apple says thousands of developers have built links that let people ask for directions, manage a to-do list, send a message or catch up on an audiobook. Before this, Siri AI could use an app only for jobs that fit a set list of categories Apple had defined. The preview lets it use the custom actions and content each app makes for itself.
Apple's documentation gives an example. A person books a ride in a ride-share app and, while the app's live ride updates are showing, says "Hey Siri, change my ride pickup to a new address" without naming the app. People can leave out the app's name only while the app is open, its live updates are showing, or they are already talking to Siri about it. Otherwise they name the app. Developers can also write what Apple calls skills, which teach Siri to combine several actions into one for harder requests.
Apple has also started adding the new Siri AI abilities to many of its own apps, including Calendar, Mail, Maps, Messages, Photos and Safari. For now, only developers and testers inside their own company can try the app connections. Apple says they aren't available to outside testers or in apps people get from the App Store. Apple expects to ship the app connections to customers in a few months, and developers can submit apps that use them to the App Store starting in the spring.
Siri AI itself is still labeled a beta, or test, version, nearly two months after it began rolling out on Sept. 14. It is not available in the European Union on the iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch, and Apple says it is working with the EU to find a way forward. It is also not offered to users under 13. Siri AI and some other Apple AI features that run on Apple's servers have daily usage limits, and Apple says expanded access will cost a fee in the future. Apple has not said what that fee will be. It also says it will share more details on the terms and usage rules for app makers later.