Shortcuts app has chatbot-like Apple Intelligence powers in iOS 26

Apple Intelligence doesn’t (yet) offer an official chatbot mode, but in iOS 26 Apple will let power users get a chatbot-style experience via the Shortcuts app. Here’s how it works.

New Shortcuts feature gives you chatbot-like responses from Apple Intelligence

iOS 26 has a new feature in the Shortcuts app that lets you tap directly into Apple Intelligence’s LLMs with any custom query.

One surprise benefit of this feature, as highlighted by AppleInsider, is that Shortcuts’ responses sound a lot like you’re interacting with a proper chatbot.

When creating a shortcut in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS Tahoe, the Shortcuts app has a new Apple Intelligence action: ‘Use Model.’

This action provides three LLM options:

You can choose which model to query, and there’s also a ‘Follow Up’ setting you can enable, which gives you the option to ask follow-up questions.

I’ve only tested the feature out a little bit so far, but I’ve been impressed by how useful it can be.

First, Apple Intelligence responses are written in a chatbot style, similar to what you’d find when using ChatGPT or a similar AI tool.

Second, it’s also very easy to set up the tool and get started.

Here’s how I’ve used it so far.

Using Apple Intelligence inside Shortcuts in iOS 26

I created a basic shortcut with a Text action where I add my query, then the ‘Use Model’ action. But you can integrate more complex actions too as needed.

Upon creating the shortcut, I asked Apple Intelligence to find me good coffee shops to work from in Manhattan.

It offered a variety of recommendations, with explanations for why they’re worth checking out.

I then asked a follow up question about which of the recommended spots offered special seasonal drinks, and got a solid answer.

When I asked Siri the same questions, it simply punted to ChatGPT.

But the Shortcuts app, using Apple Intelligence’s Cloud model, worked just fine.

Will Apple Intelligence inside Shortcuts replace your current chatbot of choice? Almost certainly not. From what I can tell, there are a variety of limitations—both in knowledge and interface—that keep this from being an adequate chatbot full-time.

But it’s a fun addition nonetheless, providing the first chatbot-style experience that Apple Intelligence’s own in-house models have offered to date.

Have you tried using iOS 26’s Shortcuts app to get an chatbot-like experience from Apple Intelligence? Let us know how it’s working for you via the comments.

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