Apple may be considering the introduction of a feature that allows users to split expenses in iOS 27.

      Apple is reportedly preparing to enhance the iPhone's capabilities as a financial hub by introducing a new bill-splitting feature intended for group dinners, travel costs, and shared payments. According to a report from Mark Gurman, the company aims to unveil this feature at WWDC next week as part of iOS 27.

      This new tool would enable users to take a photo of a restaurant receipt, automatically calculate individual shares including tax and tips, assign items to specific individuals, and send payment requests directly via Apple Cash. The feature is anticipated to function within both the Wallet app and Messages, with payment approvals also being supported through the Apple Watch.

      Apple is discreetly expanding its financial ecosystem once again.

      The bill-splitting feature marks another significant advancement in Apple’s ongoing initiative to enhance the iPhone’s role in personal finance. Since the launch of Apple Pay in 2014, Apple has progressively branched out into financial services, introducing products such as Apple Card, Apple Cash, savings accounts, and Tap to Pay for businesses.

      This latest feature seems to be targeted towards younger users who are increasingly managing shared expenses digitally rather than relying on cash or traditional banking tools.

      The system reportedly operates by scanning a receipt with the iPhone camera, identifying individual items, calculating tax and tip shares, and then automatically generating payment requests. Users can subsequently settle their balances through Apple Cash without the need for separate third-party apps.

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      Additionally, Apple is said to be developing custom digital pass creation within Wallet, allowing users to produce their own event passes, gym cards, and digital credentials directly on their devices.

      Apple’s initiative also positions it in direct competition with established expense-sharing and peer-to-peer payment services. Splitwise, one of the most popular bill-splitting applications worldwide, has exceeded 10 million monthly active users and has assisted in managing over $90 billion in shared expenses since its inception in 2011.

      Meanwhile, Venmo continues to handle more than $275 billion in annual payment volume, while Cash App has approximately 57 million monthly active users. By integrating bill splitting directly into Wallet, Messages, Apple Cash, and Apple Watch, Apple seeks to eliminate the necessity for separate applications altogether and retain more financial transactions within its ecosystem.

      Apple’s primary advantage, however, may lie in its integration. Unlike standalone apps, the new capability would be seamlessly incorporated into iOS, Messages, Wallet, Apple Watch, and Apple Cash all at once.

      Why this Matters

      Apple seems increasingly determined to make the iPhone central to everyday financial activities. While bill splitting might seem minor compared to AI announcements or hardware releases, features like this play a crucial role in enhancing long-term user retention more effectively than flashy innovations.

      Apple Pay Unsplash

      This initiative could also exert pressure on third-party expense-sharing applications that currently depend on convenience as their main selling point. Should Apple succeed in making payment splitting seamless across iPhones, many casual users might forgo downloading separate apps entirely.

      At the same time, Apple’s financial expansion has encountered hurdles. The Apple Card partnership with Goldman Sachs has faced financial difficulties, and Apple previously discontinued its buy-now-pay-later service less than a year after launch.

      What happens next

      Apple is anticipated to officially introduce the new bill-splitting feature during WWDC, along with broader iOS 27 announcements that will prominently feature AI, Siri enhancements, and Apple Intelligence. The update is also expected to provide AI-powered photo editing tools, a revamped Siri experience, and improved Wallet integration across Apple devices.

      If the feature functions smoothly, Apple may accomplish what it excels at best: transforming a separate app category into a built-in feature on the iPhone that millions of users will adopt simply because it is readily available.