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Building Apps with Apple Intelligence
September 26th, 2025
by Anh Nguyen
COO & Co-Founder at Gummicube, Inc
This week's news blog takes a closer look at Apple Intelligence, the new framework introduced with iOS 26 that is shaping how developers build with on-device AI. For those who focus on App Store Optimization (ASO), this update is more than just a technical leap forward. You know the moment when new features and capabilities must also be reflected in your app store presence. Developers who adopt Apple intelligence and showcase these intelligent experiences and their listings are positioning their apps for stronger visibility and engagement research for the latest iOS innovations.
A HIGH-LEVEL LOOK AT APPLE INTELLIGENCE
At WWDC 2025, Apple unveiled its Foundation Models Framework, providing developers with access to local AI that can power a wide range of intelligent capabilities. These models include built-in support for:
- Text extraction
- Summarization
- Guided generation
- & many more tools for AI-driven tasks
The framework allows developers to embed these intelligent experiences directly into their apps without extensive custom AI training. By handling the heavy lifting locally, Apple makes it easier for developers to deliver meaningful improvements to users that reflect the new iOS 26 features and capabilities.
Key advantages include:
- No inference costs: Inference costs are expenses associated with pre-trained AI processes. Developers can integrate AI functionality without worrying about expensive fees.
- On-device privacy: Data stays local, which maintains Apple’s emphasis on security and user trust.
- Ease of integration: Through Swift, developers can access Foundation Models with minimal code, lowering the barrier to entry for intelligent app development.
- Offline functionality: Because the models are local, intelligent features continue working without an internet connection.
Now that iOS 26 is rolling out globally, developers can start introducing updates to their apps that integrate these new capabilities. Many of the new features enhance usability rather than reinvent workflows, but their collective impact significantly raises the standard of user experiences. These new capabilities allow developers to refresh their app listing in order to accurately portray any new features for their app that are now capable due to iOS 26.
KEEPING YOUR APP LISTING FRESH
Whenever Apple introduces a framework of this scale, the App Store becomes a space where visibility can be greatly impacted by who adapts their app listing with a data-driven strategy, and quickly. Developers who integrate Apple Intelligence and swiftly highlight those features within their app listings could potentially gain visibility over competitors in search results.
Your first three screenshots remain the most valuable piece of real estate in your listing when it comes to a search result. These screenshots should highlight any new Apple Intelligence-powered features directly, such as smarter personalization, AI-assisted navigation, or guided generation tools. Users scrolling through listings can often make their download decisions within seconds, so surfacing new intelligent features immediately is crucial.
Your app metadata strategy also deserves attention when it comes to positioning your app as competitively as possible. With Apple Intelligence at the center of conversations around iOS 26, search demand for related terms could rise. Keywords that tie to AI, Apple Intelligence, text summarization, or other relevant new app functionality should be incorporated where appropriate in your metadata. By aligning your app metadata with new features in your app’s title, subtitle, description, or creative messaging, you position your app to appear in search results that reflect what users are currently searching for.
THE IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR APP STORE LISTING OPTIMIZATION
ASO is not a one-time project. It is an ongoing strategy. With iOS 26, users expect apps to adopt Apple intelligence capabilities. Updating your listing to reflect these changes communicates that your app is modern, relevant, and actively maintained. Updated metadata and refreshed descriptions ensure that new users understand your app's value today, not months in the past. Regular optimizations also signal activity to the App Store itself, reinforcing your app's position and creating more opportunities for better search and category rankings.
ASO Basics To Implement In Your App Listing
ASO is the practice of refreshing your app listing regularly with strong keyword research and A/B testing strategies for app metadata and app creatives in order to make data-driven decisions for each optimization. These practices are the backbone of creating opportunities for more app growth and visibility. Every developer integrating Apple Intelligence should remember the fundamentals of ASO:
- App Keyword research: Conduct ongoing keyword research to discover new search trends and high-volume keywords. Aligning your app keywords with any new app features can help your app potentially appear in search results with users who are looking for those features.
- Mobile App A/B testing: Regularly test your app metadata and creatives to see which versions drive higher traffic or downloads. Even small changes to your app title, subtitle, screenshots, icon, or app store video can make a giant impact on your app’s visibility.
- App Creative Optimization: Screenshots, preview videos, and icons are your primary tools to showcase new features visually. Highlight any new Apple Intelligence features here to show potential users these capabilities quickly.
- App Competitor analysis: Track how others in your category are adopting Apple Intelligence. Study their app screenshots, keywords, and descriptions to identify opportunities to differentiate your app from other competitors.
- Measuring App Performance: Regularly monitoring your app rankings, impressions, and conversion rates is a crucial part of ongoing optimization. This data allows you to adjust your strategy in real-time to help keep your app aligned with user behavior.
By reinforcing these ASO basics, you create a foundation that ensures your newly integrated Apple Intelligence features have the best chance at standing out in the App Store.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The release of Apple Intelligence marks an important step forward for app developers. Apple's Foundation Models Framework provides a streamlined path to integrating intelligent features such as text extraction, summarization, guided generation, and more. These capabilities are accessible locally, require no inference costs, and can be integrated into apps and games with only a few lines of Swift code.
For app developers, the challenge is not only building these features but also effectively presenting them in the App Store within their listing. Highlighting new capabilities in your first three screens, aligning app metadata with high-volume keywords, and keeping your listing regularly optimized can make the difference between being found and being overlooked in the app store.
Incorporating new app features and capabilities is only one step in keeping an app fresh. Developers must regularly refine their ASO strategy and maintain a listing that strategically, quickly, and efficiently reflects the value of their app.
LET’S CHAT!
If you are ready to elevate your app listing with your new Apple Intelligence features and iOS 26 capabilities, Gummicube’s ASO services are here to help. We can help keep your app competitive with a data-driven strategy that creates opportunities for reaching growth goals and increasing app visibility. Reach out and start the conversation today!
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