Apple is adding AI-powered natural language features to Shortcuts app in iOS 27, letting users build automations by describing what they want instead of manually assembling actions.

Apple is leveraging Apple Intelligence to make its Shortcuts visual-scripting tool easier to use in iOS 27. Users can now write a prompt to describe what they want to do, rather than manually finding and combining app actions and variables.

The feature works by translating natural language descriptions into required workflow steps. In Apple's example, a user could describe a shortcut to notify their partner when leaving work with an ETA—Shortcuts would then pull together system and app actions (location access, Apple Maps calculation, Messages alert) and create the automation.

Users can edit or modify automations after creation by describing the changes they want. The updated Shortcuts app will roll out with iOS 27 later this fall.