Aeru brings local AI to iOS 26 using Apple’s Foundation Models
Aeru is a new iOS app that runs Apple’s Foundation Models locally on-device with iOS 26, offering privacy-friendly AI features without cloud calls. It positions itself as an open, data-respecting alternative to apps like SmartFruit — and is advertised as fully free to use.
What it does
- Uses Apple’s Foundation Models framework (iOS 26) to run language and AI features locally.
- Improves privacy and responsiveness by avoiding server-side processing.
- Offers typical on-device AI use cases: chat, text generation, personal assistant features.
- Marketed as an open and data-friendly option compared to some paid alternatives.
Requirements & availability
Aeru requires iOS 26 (and newer devices that support Apple Intelligence features). The app listing indicates it is free to use. For more details and downloads, see the app listing: Aeru on Departures.
Why it matters
iOS 26’s Foundation Models API enables developers to run sophisticated models locally, improving privacy and offline capabilities. Aeru is an example of how developers can leverage these APIs to build practical on-device AI apps.
References
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