Apple’s documented model-powered workflow for an iOS 27 shortcut lets you choose a model, give it a prompt, optionally refine its response, connect that response to another action, and test the result. It’s for iPhone users building a custom shortcut in Apple’s Shortcuts app; Apple lists natural-language shortcut creation as a separate feature.

What you need

Apple’s Shortcuts guide requires an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or iPhone 16 model or later, running iOS 27 or later, for the model-powered workflow. Apple also says the device language and Siri language must match a supported language. Some server-based Apple Intelligence features have daily usage limits that can vary.

Build a model-powered shortcut

Apple’s Shortcuts guide documents these steps:

  1. Create a shortcut. Open Shortcuts and start a new shortcut to build a custom workflow.
  2. Add an action. Choose an action for the shortcut to perform. This gives the workflow a task to begin with.
  3. Add Use Model. Add Apple’s Use Model action to bring a model into the shortcut.
  4. Choose a model. Apple lists On-Device, Cloud, Cloud Pro, and Extension Model (ChatGPT). Select one of these options for the workflow.
  5. Enter a prompt. Write the instruction for the model. The response can then pass to a later action.
  6. Refine the prompt if needed. Follow Up is optional. It lets you refine the request before the model’s response moves to the next action.
  7. Add a downstream action. Choose an action that uses the model’s response. Apple gives Show Content as an example. A location-based action may prompt you to allow access to your location.
  8. Tap Play to test. Run the shortcut and check what the next action does with the model’s response. Apple says the shortcut saves automatically.

How this differs from natural-language shortcut creation

How to Build and Test an iOS 27 Model-Powered Shortcut

Apple separately lists “Describe a shortcut in natural language” for iPhone with iOS 27, iPad with iPadOS 27, and Mac with macOS 27. That feature is for creating or refining a shortcut through a natural-language description. The model-powered workflow above is a custom shortcut built by adding actions, including Use Model.

Apple’s October 22, 2026 support page says eligible users in the European Union can access next-generation Apple Intelligence features across apps, and its feature list includes natural-language shortcut creation. Apple says availability can vary by feature, platform, language, and region. The page also lists Spanish among supported Apple Intelligence languages, while the feature’s language and region availability can vary.

Run a saved shortcut with Siri

To run an existing shortcut, invoke Siri and say the shortcut’s name. If the shortcut opens an app while the iPhone is locked, Apple says the device must be unlocked before it continues. Running a saved shortcut by voice is separate from creating one with a natural-language description.

Quick reference

  • Build: add an action, then add Use Model and choose an option.
  • Shape the result: enter a prompt, optionally use Follow Up, then add an action that uses the response.
  • Check it: tap Play and inspect the result; the shortcut saves automatically.
  • Run it later: say its name to Siri. An app-opening shortcut may require an unlocked iPhone.