Apple Will Reportedly Add Bill-Splitting Feature to iOS 27

Apple is finally making it easier to split a restaurant check with friends, eliminating the awkward scramble for Venmo or Cash App. According to a new report from Bloomberg, the tech giant is developing a bill-splitting feature for iOS 27 that will allow iPhone users to divide group expenses and send payment requests directly from their devices. The feature, expected to integrate with Apple Pay and Messages, marks Apple's most direct move yet into the peer-to-peer payment space, taking on established apps like Venmo, Zelle, and Splitwise. Bloomberg reports that the bill-splitting tool will let a user initiate a split after a group meal or shared purchase, then automatically generate and send payment requests to each participant. The exact mechanism remains unclear—whether it will be a standalone app, a Messages extension, or baked into Apple Pay—but the report suggests deep integration with Apple's existing payment ecosystem. The timing is notable: Apple has long lagged competitors in group payments. Apple Cash launched in 2017 but only supports one-to-one transfers. Meanwhile, third-party apps have captured the group-splitting market, with Venmo alone processing over $230 billion in payments annually. iOS 27 itself is at least two years away—Apple typically announces new iOS versions at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, with public releases in September. Assuming a typical naming convention, iOS 27 would arrive in fall 2025. That timeline gives Apple ample opportunity to refine the feature, test it internally, and possibly preview it at WWDC 2025. The move could significantly boost Apple Pay adoption. According to a 2024 survey by Pew Research, 38% of US smartphone users have used a peer-to-peer payment app, and group splitting is among the most requested features. By embedding bill splitting natively, Apple removes friction—no app downloads, no account creation—and keeps transactions within its walled garden. However, the feature may face scrutiny from regulators already examining Apple's payment practices. The European Union's Digital Markets Act has forced Apple to open its NFC chip to third-party payment apps, and a native splitting tool could be seen as another attempt to lock users into Apple Pay. Travel, recurring bills, shared household expenses, and small business payments are all potential use cases beyond restaurant dining. Apple's history suggests the company will prioritize privacy and security: transactions will likely be encrypted and processed through Apple's Secure Enclave. The bill-splitting feature is expected to be one of several consumer-focused enhancements in iOS 27. Other rumored additions include a redesigned Health app and expanded iPhone mirroring capabilities. For now, iPhone users will have to wait until at least 2025 to enjoy native splitting—but the convenience of paying for dinner and receiving requests without ever leaving Apple's ecosystem is a compelling proposition.