Apple explores bringing AI agents to App Store, signaling major shift for iPhone ecosystem

Apple may open up the App Store to agentic AI - Engadget

Artificial intelligence has posed a multi-layered problem for Apple in recent years. We're expecting to hear some big news at WWDC this year about how AI will be integrated into the company's gadgets, but there are still other wrinkles still to be ironed out in its broader approach to the use of this influential technology. According to The Information, one of those challenges is the recent interest and development of agentic AI. To date, Apple has not permitted vibe coding tools on the App Store because they would violate its policies. They could also potentially be used to create original apps for people who would have otherwise gotten software from the App Store, which could pose a threat to Apple's revenue as well as creating a loophole for spreading malware or taking other malicious actions. But applying that same block more broadly to any agentic AI services, which can take active control over a device and its programs, could keep Apple out of the loop as those tools are generating a lot of interest among both developers and casual users. Apple is reportedly trying to maintain its control over the App Store, while capitalizing on the current buzz around AI agents. "While details couldn't be learned, its staffers are designing a system to adhere to its standards of privacy and security and prevent the more freewheeling behavior some users of agentic systems such as OpenClaw have experienced, where agents can go haywire and delete all of a user's emails, according to the people briefed on the matter," the article states. It sounds like a high wire act for a company that has been struggling to keep pace with AI's breakneck development. Add this to the long laundry list of information we'll be curious to see addressed at next month's keynote.

Apple is working to incorporate AI agents on the App Store, per report - 9to5Mac

Apple's big developer conference, WWDC, is only weeks away. And a new report indicates that an announcement might happen regarding Apple's efforts to better incorporate AI agents into the App Store. Aaron Tilley, writing at The Information: Apple is exploring ways to better incorporate AI agents into its App Store so it can benefit from the tech industry's hottest trend while ensuring that the software in its store continues to play by its rules, according to people briefed on the matter. [...] AI agents -- which are capable of taking complex actions on behalf of users -- present inherently thorny issues for Apple's strict regulations on its app platforms, which are designed to prevent the apps from spreading malware, avoiding App Store fees and committing other misbehavior. For example, some agents can spin up smaller apps on the spot to perform a wide variety of tasks, which could be a problem if the agents do so after Apple has already approved the apps they live within. Apple's efforts to incorporate AI agents into the App Store aim to reconcile those inconsistencies. While details couldn't be learned, its staffers are designing a system to adhere to its standards of privacy and security and prevent the more freewheeling behavior some users of agentic systems such as OpenClaw have experienced, where agents can go haywire and delete all of a user's emails, according to the people briefed on the matter. The report says that Apple might announce its new updates regarding AI agents on the App Store at WWDC next month. However, it's possible that the company isn't yet ready for that unveiling. Apple CEO Tim Cook recently acknowledged the rise of AI agents when addressing Mac supply shortages during the last quarterly earnings. Many users are turning to the Mac mini and Mac Studio, Apple desktops, to help run AI agents. Understandably, Apple doesn't want its lucrative App Store business upended by the new trend. But if it can find a way to better support AI agents and provide key privacy and security guarantees through the App Store, that makes a lot of sense. What do you expect Apple to launch on the App Store related to AI agents? Let us know in the comments.

Apple Working on Plan to Allow AI Agent Apps on the App Store

Apple is looking into ways to better support apps that include AI agents and AI coding capabilities in the App Store, reports The Information. Apple is designing a system that would maintain its security and privacy standards while allowing for AI app features, but details on how the system will work are unavailable. Apple started blocking updates for some popular vibe coding apps in March because those apps violated App Store rules that prohibit apps from executing code that alters their own functionality or that of other apps. Vibe coding apps let users build apps and websites with little to no coding experience, using AI agents and natural language prompts. Vibe coding has become popular, and Apple's rules have not been able to keep up. Apps that include AI agents present similar problems for Apple. AI agents can autonomously complete complex actions and make mini apps using tools and capabilities that would not traditionally be supported under Apple's App Store rules. Apple will need to make changes to keep up with the software trends that developers and users want. Apple wants to incorporate AI agents into the App Store while preventing some of the issues that people have run into with rogue AI agents deleting content and causing other problems. As it works to prepare for future AI apps, Apple is also developing its own AI capabilities. Siri is set to get a major overhaul in iOS 27, making it smarter and better able to compete with Claude and ChatGPT. Apple has partnered with Google to use custom Gemini models to power Siri. The Information says Apple has started contacting app developers to integrate app capabilities like booking flights and sending calendar invites into the new version of Siri and Apple Intelligence. Some developers are hesitant to work with Apple to integrate their apps into Siri because they are worried about providing new ways for Apple to collect commissions. Apple is telling some developers that it does not plan to charge commissions during the early stages of the partnership, but that fees are a possibility in the future. Apple has held talks with Baidu, Alibaba, and Tencent about Siri integration in iOS 27, but the companies do not want to end up paying fees to Apple. Apple also plans to allow users to select from multiple chatbots to use with Siri, instead of limiting people to OpenAI's ChatGPT. AI models from companies like Anthropic or Google could be used for Image Playground and Writing Tools the way ChatGPT can be used today. It is not clear if Apple plans to open up more of iOS to third-party chatbots, but OpenAI has reportedly been disappointed with Apple's limitations. ChatGPT can be used to generate images and text through the iOS integration, but it cannot access user emails or other personal information. Customers are also rarely using the functionality, according to The Information. Apple's new version of Siri is expected to be unveiled at the WWDC keynote on June 8, and the plans that Apple has for agentic AI apps in the App Store could also be discussed at the same time.

Apple may be building an AI App Store -- and it could change the iPhone forever

For nearly two decades, the iPhone experience has revolved around apps. The advertisements declaring "there's an app for that" are still a core memory for me as a new iPhone user years ago. According to a new report from The Information though, Apple is quietly exploring ways to bring AI agents into the App Store, and this could signal the biggest shift to the iPhone ecosystem since the App Store launched back in 2008. At first glance, even I did a double take at what seems like a very technical idea of "AI agents" coming to the App Store. But the idea is simple that Apple might be preparing for a future where rather than opening apps, AI does it for you. AGI inside the app store According to the report, Apple has discussed how autonomous AI software could operate inside its ecosystem, potentially allowing AI-powered services to complete tasks across apps and services on behalf of users. That changes everything about how the iPhone currently works. Today, our apps are destinations. You physically need to tap an icon, open an interface and complete a task manually. But the new idea is one of AI agents theoretically doing the work for you such as coordinating your flights, hotel, dinner reservations, calendar and transportation automatically behind the scenes. The user might never even see most of the apps involved. Offering AI agents creates a massive challenge for Apple because the App Store was built around human interaction. Every part of the ecosystem from app review to permissions to subscriptions assumes a person is actively using software in predictable ways. What makes AI agents different AGI means the AI can make decisions, navigate multiple apps and potentially take actions on your behalf. Of course, that raises enormous questions about privacy, security, payments and control; all areas Apple has historically treated as core pillars of the iPhone experience. Apple appears to be positioning itself to control the distribution layer of AI on mobile devices, which is a strategy that feels very familiar to Apple. Historically, the company has rarely been first to a category. Instead, Apple tends to dominate by controlling the platform, simplifying the experience and becoming the trusted middleman between developers and consumers. The App Store itself became one of the most powerful marketplaces in tech history because Apple controlled distribution, payments, discovery and device integration. However, AI agents threaten all of those systems at once. If autonomous AI becomes the primary way people interact with software, then the company controlling that ecosystem could end up controlling the next era of computing. A move beyond Siri Up until now, Apple's AI strategy looked cautious compared to rivals like OpenAI, Google and Anthropic. But Apple has also spent years building one thing competitors still struggle with, which is deep hardware and operating system integration. So, in an AI-agent future, integration may matter more than chatbot intelligence. An AI system that can securely access your apps, calendar, messages, subscriptions, payment methods and device settings is arguably more useful than a standalone chatbot window. This potential move points toward a future where the iPhone evolves from a collection of apps into an intelligent orchestration platform. The takeaway It will be very interesting to see how this strategy pans out. While AI agents could make smartphones more useful, they also introduce new risks. An AI system with permission to act across apps could potentially AI could send messages, manage accounts, make purchases and access sensitive data. Ironically, that level of autonomy clashes with Apple's traditionally controlled ecosystem philosophy. Beyond figuring out how AI fits into the App Store, the company could be trying to reinvent what the App Store becomes in an AI-integrated era. Tom's Guide will be watching this story closely as Apple's AI strategy continues to evolve. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Subscribe to Tom's Guide on YouTube and follow us on TikTok.

Forget the App Store -- Apple could be about to launch the 'agent store' for AI apps, and it could transform how you use your iPhone

* A report claims Apple is working to allow AI agents on its App Store * This is a sudden departure from Apple's more recent moves on AI apps * Apple has previously removed vibe-coding AI apps from the App Store Back in March, word got around that several vibe coding apps -- which let you create an app by entering a few natural language prompts -- had been removed from the App Store. While Apple said it wasn't specifically targeting this type of artificial intelligence (AI) app, the signs didn't look good for anyone developing apps like this. And things looked even bleaker for apps that used AI agents -- or AI bots that perform complex tasks on your behalf -- given how sensitive Apple is to the security of its storefront. But in a neck-snapping 180-degree turn, it now looks like Apple is actively working on a plan to help get AI agents onto its App Store in an official capacity. That's according to a new report from The Information, at least, which claims that Apple is seeking ways to better support apps that include AI agents. That, in turn, could lead to a radical reconfiguration of the App Store, which some analysts believe might make certain app categories much less relevant as AI takes over. At the same time, Apple's system would be designed to maintain the existing security and privacy standards of the App Store, The Information claims. It also wants to avoid the kinds of "rogue agents" known to delete user data and perform other questionable tasks. How exactly any of that would work, though, hasn't yet been made clear. The Information's report doesn't go into the specifics of Apple's plan, and instead merely states that Apple is "designing a system to adhere to its standards of privacy and security and prevent the more freewheeling behavior some users of agentic systems such as OpenClaw have experienced, where agents can go haywire and delete all of a user's emails." However, even without exact details, it's clear from reading the room that Apple knows something has to give. Creating the 'agent store' Why the sudden volte face from Apple? That much isn't clear, but what is evident is that apps are increasingly incorporating AI capabilities, and that isn't showing any signs of slowing down. It's likely that Apple feels it has to adapt to the new status quo before it gets left behind. Additionally, Apple itself is diving headfirst into the world of AI. Its Apple Intelligence system is expected to get a major update at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, with AI-powered upgrades for Siri finally arriving in iOS 27 two years after they were first announced. And Apple has added vibe-coding powers to its own apps like Xcode, so it's unlikely the company would be able to take a skeptical view of similar products from other developers for long. Recent reports have indicated that Apple's App Store review team has been overwhelmed by a deluge of vibe-coded apps, as harnessing machine-learning bots to write code has dramatically reduced the time required to build, test, and deploy an app. If Apple is taking steps to support AI-enabled apps on its platforms, it remains to be seen how the review team will cope if the surge of new apps is here to stay. The signs suggest that it's likely to continue. According to Sophia Velastegui, a developer who previously worked on AI at Microsoft and platform architecture at Apple, "There's literally going to be millions of agents." While that could be overwhelming, Velastegui believes it's a great opportunity for Apple's App Store to become "the agent store." With WWDC just around the corner, we could soon get an explanation from Apple on what it plans to do with AI apps going forward, both those on its own roster and those created by third-party developers. But every indication is that Apple knows it's got to adapt to the new normal -- and allowing AI agent products on its App Store is just the latest sign that that's the case. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.

Apple may loosen App Store rules for AI agents

Apple is navigating complex challenges related to artificial intelligence (AI) integration into its products ahead of significant announcements expected at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Recent interest in agentic AI, which can take active control over devices, presents a notable difficulty for the company, according to The Information. To date, Apple has prohibited vibe coding tools on the App Store because they violate company policies. These tools could enable the creation of original apps that circumvent the App Store, potentially threatening Apple's revenue while also creating a risk for malware proliferation. A broader application of this ban to include agentic AI services may limit Apple's engagement with a technology that is gaining traction among developers and users. Apple is reportedly striving to maintain control over the App Store while leveraging interest in AI agents. According to sources familiar with the situation, Apple employees are developing a system designed to uphold the company's privacy and security standards. This initiative aims to prevent erratic behavior associated with agentic systems, such as OpenClaw, which has been known to delete user emails erroneously.

Apple Prepares App Store for Autonomous AI Agents | PYMNTS.com

By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. Currently, the company bans vibe coding tools from the App Store, but there is a growing supply of, and demand for, those and other sorts of AI agents, according to the report. Apple staffers are designing a system that would allow AI agents to be offered in the App Store while adhering to the company's privacy and security standards, the reports said. The company's annual Worldwide Developers Conference that will be held in June is expected to highlight AI offerings, but it is not known if any addition of AI agents to the App Store will be announced at the event, per the report. Apple did not immediately reply to PYMNTS' request for comment. It was reported in March that Apple is centering its AI plans on the App Store and hardware. According to that report, after getting caught off guard by ChatGPT and losing AI talent to rivals, Apple's potential path to success resembles that of the one it chose for its App Store. In that strategy, the company offers in-house apps but still lets customers install third-party versions for a percentage of the revenue. It was reported May 5 that Apple plans to offer third-party AI models alongside its own in-house models as part of the company's strategy to turn its devices into AI platforms by making it easy for users to access the options they want. With this offering, users of the company's software will be able to choose the model they want to use for tasks such as generating and editing text and images. This report, which cited unnamed sources, said Apple plans to include this change in its operating systems that are set for release this fall, including iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27. PYMNTS reported Thursday (May 7) that the smartphone is becoming the device people carry to access AI and that the companies that understand this are racing to control that device.