Without App Intents, your app will be invisible to Siri
7 Min. read
At WWDC 2026, Apple made App Intents the central gateway to the new Gemini-powered Siri. This affects every software provider: if you want to appear in the assistant, App Intents is the only way in. Apps that don’t support this interface simply remain invisible to the assistant-impacting distribution, not just development.
Key Takeaways
- App Intents becomes mandatory. Apple has designated App Intents as the official route for the new Siri to interact with third-party apps. According to conference reports, the older SiriKit will be phased out over the next few years.
- Visibility becomes a distribution channel. Apps without App Intents won’t appear in the new Siri. The assistant acts as a selection layer above the app-your software must be present there to be found.
- Apple and Google diverge. Apple deliberately avoids risky actions, while Google pushes autonomous execution with Gemini. Both strategies have major implications for your AI roadmap.
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1. SiriKit is history
The most consequential announcement of the week didn’t take place on the main stage, but in the developer sessions. Apple is putting App Intents front and center: it’s now the way the new Siri triggers actions in third-party apps. The older SiriKit, previously the bridge between voice assistant and app, is being sidelined. Reports from the conference suggest it will be phased out over the coming years, though Apple hasn’t officially confirmed a firm end date.
What is App Intents? App Intents is a Swift framework introduced in iOS 16. It allows apps to declare which actions and content Siri can access directly-without the user needing to open the app. For the new Siri, streaming and multi-step dialogues are now part of the requirements.
App Intents governs access to the app, while the model layer sits separately in Apple’s Foundation Models. The new LanguageModel protocol gives developers a unified interface to both local and server-based models. But for your software to be discoverable, the first step is integration via App Intents.
For any software with voice or assistant integration, the clock is ticking. If you’re using SiriKit, plan your migration now-don’t wait until you’re forced to rush it in two years.
2. Without App Intents, your app stays invisible
This is where the real leverage lies. An app that doesn’t implement App Intents doesn’t exist for the Gemini-powered Siri. It can’t be launched, searched, or embedded in a command. Users can still open it manually, but it won’t appear in the assistant.
This shifts the logic of discoverability. For years, the focus was on App Store rankings and home screen icons. Now, there’s a layer above that: *Is your functionality accessible via the assistant?* A banking app that exposes its transfer feature as an Intent can be triggered by voice. If it doesn’t, the command defaults to whichever app *does* support it.
3. Apple Pumps the Brakes, Google Hits the Gas
The second lesson of the week highlights a maturity gap. Apple is deliberately holding back its new Siri. It can schedule a calendar appointment or send a message-but it won’t make purchases on its own. Google took a more aggressive approach at I/O just weeks earlier, declaring an “agentic era” with Gemini. This includes Gemini Spark, a background agent that handles tasks independently, and Universal Cart, which prepares purchases. Risky actions still require explicit approval.
| Dimension | Apple (Siri AI) | Google (Gemini) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Approach | Cautious, device-centric | Aggressive, agent-driven |
| Actions | Appointments, messages, reminders | Background agents, purchase prep |
| Risky Actions | Stops short | Permitted, with approval guardrails |
| Integration | App Intents | Deep Android integration |
For your own strategy, this presents a real fork in the road. A cautious agent approach is easier to roll out in business settings, where liability and control remain manageable. An aggressive agent model promises greater automation but demands clear approval guardrails and vigilance over AI missteps.
4. What Software Providers Must Decide Now
These three insights lead to a clear action item. Every company with an app or digital service should evaluate which of its core actions can be structured as intents-and make them available. Machine-readable interfaces have long been the price of visibility for search engines and chatbots. For assistants, that price is App Intents.
What Visibility Gains You
- Accessibility via assistant as a new entry point
- Actions triggered directly from voice commands, no app switching
- Edge over competitors ignoring App Intents
What It Costs You
- Development effort for intents, streaming, and dialogues
- Ongoing maintenance with each iOS cycle
- Dependence on Apple’s approval logic per app type
The decision rarely boils down to all-or-nothing. A smart approach is to start with the one or two actions your customers need most, then expand from there. Getting in early pays off-the interface is already developer-ready. Siri AI itself launches in fall 2026, initially only in English-speaking markets, with the EU rollout pending due to the Digital Markets Act. Build your intents now, and you’ll be primed when the assistant expands to new markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are App Intents in simple terms?
App Intents is a Swift interface that lets an app tell Siri which actions and content the assistant can use directly-without the user having to open the app. The framework has been around since iOS 16, but since WWDC 2026, it’s the only way Siri interacts with third-party apps.
What happens to apps using SiriKit?
SiriKit is taking a backseat to App Intents and is reportedly being phased out over the next few years-though no official end date has been confirmed. If you’re using it today, it’s best to add the switch to App Intents to your roadmap sooner rather than later.
Why is this a sales issue, not just a technical one?
Because discoverability drives revenue. If the assistant becomes the first port of call and your app isn’t there, the action-and the sale-goes to a competitor. App Intents determines whether your software even appears in the assistant’s responses.
How does Apple’s approach differ from Google’s?
Apple keeps Siri’s actions deliberately narrow, stopping short of risky steps like autonomous purchases. Google, with Gemini, is pushing ahead with autonomous execution, safeguarding riskier actions through approvals. A cautious approach is easier to introduce in business settings, while a more aggressive one promises greater automation.
Is the switch worth it if Siri AI isn’t yet available in the EU?
Yes-because the App Intents interface is already available to developers, regardless of when the new Siri rolls out to consumers. Offering structured actions early ensures you’re ready when the assistant expands to more markets.
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Image source: AI-generated (Juni 2026), C2PA certificate embedded
