Future iPhones May Let ChatGPT Control Your Apps

A Glimpse into Apple's AI Future

Despite the current limitations of Apple Intelligence, the latest iPhone 17 lineup is seeing strong sales, largely due to its future-proofed hardware. The devices are equipped with powerful A19 and A19 Pro chips, which include neural accelerators designed for rapid on-device AI processing. Coupled with a memory boost to 12 GB on Pro models, the new iPhones are primed for the next wave of AI features. Now, the first beta for iOS 26.1 provides a major clue as to what that future holds.

A report from 9to5Mac reveals that iOS 26.1 Beta 1 contains support for the Model Context Protocol (MCP). This protocol, first introduced by Anthropic in late 2024, is quickly becoming an industry standard, often called the "USB-C of AI." By building MCP support directly into the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, Apple is setting the stage for AI models like ChatGPT or Gemini to securely access app data and perform actions on your behalf.

Understanding MCPs Role in iOS 26

Apple has included MCP support across the first betas of iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, and macOS Tahoe 26.1. However, this doesn't mean you can immediately ask ChatGPT to manage your inbox and calendar. The feature is not yet enabled for users, so these advanced agentic AI capabilities remain on the horizon. The ultimate goal of MCP is to provide exactly that kind of convenience, but the initial implementation will likely be more focused. At first, the protocol will probably empower Apple Intelligence to communicate more effectively with different apps across your devices. The next version of Siri, especially one potentially enhanced by ChatGPT, could also leverage MCP to access app data and execute user commands with greater precision.

Digging into the beta's code, 9to5Mac found that Apple is preparing to integrate MCP with the App Intents framework. This is the system that currently lets apps share information and actions with Siri and Spotlight search. While Apple has yet to officially detail its plans, widespread adoption of MCP in the AI industry suggests it's only a matter of time before developers gain access. This could open the door to a future where users can select their preferred AI assistant to manage their device, without losing any core functionality. For now, this remains speculation, but the inclusion of MCP is a powerful indicator of where Apple's AI strategy is heading.