Apple Foundation Models framework in iOS 26 — On‑device LLMs for apps
With the release of iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS 26, Apple made the Foundation Models framework available to developers. The framework enables apps to use Apple’s local large language models (the same technology that powers Apple Intelligence) directly on users’ devices — keeping data private because processing happens locally.
Key points
- Availability: Supported starting with iOS 26 / iPadOS 26 / macOS 26. Devices must meet hardware requirements and may need time to download models after activation.
- On‑device processing: Models run locally, protecting user data and avoiding cloud roundtrips.
- Capabilities: Natural language understanding, text generation, summarization, contextual helpers and more — accessible to apps through the Foundation Models framework.
- Developer experience: The framework offers APIs for integrating AI features without sending user data to remote servers.
Example apps and use cases
- Lil Artist — interactive storytelling for kids.
- Daylish — emoji suggestions and UX enhancements.
- Guitar Wiz — chord explanations and practice guidance in multiple languages.
Further reading
- Apple Developer – What’s New in iOS 26: https://developer.apple.com/ios/whats-new/
- Apple Newsroom – New versions of Apple’s software platforms: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/09/new-versions-of-apples-software-platforms-are-available-today/
- TechCrunch coverage: https://techcrunch.com/2025/09/26/how-developers-are-using-apples-local-ai-models-with-ios-26/
Have a favorite app you’d like to see get on‑device AI? Share it in the comments.