Apple has announced many major design and feature updates for all operating systems for WWDC 2025. As with every year, the company has previously rebuilt features available through third-party apps. In the Apple world, this is called “Sherlocking.”
In the late 90s, Apple launched a search app called Sherlock on MacOS 8, allowing users to search the web and files on their local system. Another company called Karelia Software had an existing $29 search app called Watson and a plugin to improve internet search. In 2002, Apple released Sherlock 3, which has similar features to Watson, and was forced to eventually shut down the app by Karelia.
Since then, people at Tech have used the term “Sherlocking” to imply when Apple builds new features that do the same thing as existing third-party apps.
Below we'll show you new features that allow various apps to Sherlock what they've done in the past.
New Spotlight App for MacOS
Sherlocked App: Raycast, LaunchBar
Yes, Raycast doesn't just string shortcuts together. It also provides a developer platform. However, when Apple showed off a new spotlight search for Mac during Monday's keynote, we couldn't think about Raycast.
When you open Raycast, you will see the proposed apps and commands. This is what new spotlights can do for users to do for files, apps, and shortcuts. However, the kicker is Apple's “action.” This allows you to do everything, such as putting events on the calendar, creating GIFs, creating folders so that Raycast can be done.
Image credit: Apple
Spotlight also allows you to access items from the menu in the active window. Additionally, you can define short strings to perform specific actions. For example, you can set the string “Newr” to create a new reminder item. Additionally, Spotlight receives support for the Intents API, allowing developers to add actions from their apps.
Last year, Raycast expanded to Windows and iOS with AI-powered features.
Flight tracking with live activities
Sherlocked App: Flighty
Flightly allows you to track your or your friends' flights and manage check-in, but previously won the Apple Design Award. With iOS 26, Apple updates its wallets so that users can view and share flight status through live activity.
Image credit: Apple
The map allows you to navigate the airport with information such as gates, security, shops, bag complaints, meals, toilets and more. Flighty also offers some of these features.
AI model integration with Xcode
Sherlocked App: Alex for Xcode
Apple currently has the Xcode 26 coding tool Default Assistant set to ChatGpt, allowing developers to connect other AI models using API keys.
Image credit: Alex
This will be a Y Covinator-assisted app called Xcode for Xcode. This is an assistant that allows developers to perform web searches, modifications, execution of terminal commands, use search codebases, local models, exchange inline code, and more.
Record your podcast locally
Sherlock App: Riverside
On the iPad, the new local capture feature allows creators to record videos using the video calling app and share the recordings with others.
Riverside helps users do this for years and also offers a complete editing suite. It's not clear how useful or powerful editing tools Apple's editing tools are for recording or editing podcasts.
Apple Watch Notes
Sherlocked Apps: Many apps with similar features
Apple ultimately brought the official notes app to the Apple Watch with the Watchos 26 update.
Image credit: Apple
This update shelllocks several apps that make it easier for users to take notes about their Apple Watch.
Call Screening
Sherlocked App: Robokiller, Truecaller
According to Apple, the new call assist feature in iOS 26 allows you to quietly receive calls from unknown numbers, pay attention to the caller's name and the reason for the call, view these details, and choose to accept or reject the call. You can also enter your answers to ask more questions to the caller.
Both Robokiller and TrueCaller offer this feature in addition to other features such as SMS spam protection.
Parcel tracking
Sherlock App: Package Tracking App
Wallets can now also use Apple Intelligence to track and summarise order status by investigating emails sent by merchants and distribution services. This feature shelllocks several apps on the market and allows you to track your orders using tracking numbers.
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What's ahead
Given Apple's history based on features popular by third-party apps, those offering a narrow range of features may not last long. However, developers discover that the implementation of certain features in Apple often means that users are often aware of those features, and many prefer to use third-party apps for a more customized experience. For example, the previously Sherlocked apps, Bezel for iPhone mirroring, and Unitete for Mac web apps, have released new versions with more features for professional use cases.