Apple may be looking to introduce a feature that allows users to split expenses in iOS 27.
Apple is said to be gearing up to enhance the iPhone's capabilities as a financial tool by introducing a new built-in bill-splitting feature aimed at handling group dinners, travel costs, and shared payments. As reported by Mark Gurman, the company is expected to unveil this feature at WWDC next week as part of iOS 27.
This new function will enable users to take a picture of a restaurant receipt, automatically calculate individual shares including taxes and tips, assign specific items to people, and send payment requests through Apple Cash. The feature is anticipated to be integrated into both the Wallet app and Messages, with payment approvals also supported by the Apple Watch.
Apple is quietly expanding its financial ecosystem once more.
The bill-splitting capability marks a significant advancement in Apple's ongoing initiative to enhance the iPhone's involvement in personal finance. Since the introduction of Apple Pay in 2014, Apple has consistently broadened its presence in financial services with offerings like Apple Card, Apple Cash, savings accounts, and Tap to Pay for businesses.
This recent addition seems particularly targeted at younger users who are increasingly opting to manage shared expenses digitally rather than relying on cash or traditional banking methods.
The cited system operates by scanning a receipt with the iPhone camera, identifying each item, calculating tax and tip distributions, and then automatically generating payment requests. Users can settle their balances via Apple Cash without needing additional third-party applications.
Apple is also reportedly developing a feature for creating custom digital passes within Wallet, allowing users to produce their own event tickets, gym membership cards, and digital credentials directly on their devices.
Additionally, Apple's move places it in direct competition with established expense-sharing and peer-to-peer payment platforms. Splitwise, one of the most popular bill-splitting applications worldwide, has exceeded 10 million monthly active users and has facilitated over $90 billion in shared expenses since 2011.
Meanwhile, Venmo continues to handle more than $275 billion in annual payment volume, and Cash App boasts approximately 57 million monthly active users. By embedding bill-splitting directly into Wallet, Messages, Apple Cash, and Apple Watch, Apple aims to eliminate the need for separate applications and keep more financial transactions within its ecosystem.
Apple's primary advantage could be its deep integration. Unlike independent apps, this new feature will be intricately incorporated into iOS, Messages, Wallet, Apple Watch, and Apple Cash simultaneously.
Why This Matters
Apple seems increasingly dedicated to making the iPhone a central hub for everyday financial activities. While bill splitting may seem minor compared to announcements about AI or new hardware, such ecosystem features often enhance long-term user retention more effectively than eye-catching upgrades.
This strategy could also create challenges for third-party expense-sharing apps that currently thrive on convenience as their main selling point. If Apple can facilitate smooth payment splitting among iPhones, many casual users might stop downloading separate applications entirely.
At the same time, Apple’s expansion into finance has encountered obstacles. The partnership with Goldman Sachs regarding the Apple Card has faced financial difficulties, and Apple recently discontinued its buy-now-pay-later service less than a year after its introduction.
What Happens Next
Apple is set to officially introduce the new bill-splitting feature at WWDC while also addressing broader iOS 27 updates, which will likely include significant AI enhancements, upgrades to Siri, and improved Wallet integration across Apple devices.
If the feature functions seamlessly, Apple may achieve what it does best: transforming a standalone app category into a built-in iPhone feature that millions of users adopt simply because it is readily available.
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Apple may be intending to introduce a feature for splitting expenses in iOS 27.
Apple is said to be introducing a feature for bill splitting on iPhones, enabling users to scan receipts and automatically distribute expenses using Apple Cash.
Apple may be looking to introduce a feature that allows users to split expenses in iOS 27.
Apple is said to be introducing a feature for built-in bill splitting on iPhones, enabling users to scan receipts and automatically share costs via Apple Cash.