WWDC 2025: Spotlighting Apple’s ‘Sherlocking’ of Third-Party Apps

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 unveiled significant updates across its operating systems, continuing a tradition of integrating features previously pioneered by third-party developers. This phenomenon, known as “Sherlocking,” refers to Apple incorporating functionalities that mirror existing apps, sometimes impacting the original creators.

The term “Sherlocking” dates back to the late ’90s when Apple introduced Sherlock, a search application for macOS 8. This app allowed users to search both the web and local files. Karelia Software had already launched Watson, a $29 search app with advanced internet search capabilities. When Apple released Sherlock 3 in 2002 with similar features to Watson, Karelia Software was eventually forced to discontinue its app.

Today, “Sherlocking” is a common term in the tech industry to describe when Apple integrates features that replicate those of existing third-party applications. Here’s a look at some of the apps that experienced this during WWDC 2025:

The new Spotlight app on macOS

Sherlocked apps: Raycast, Launchbar

The revamped Spotlight search for Mac now includes suggested apps and commands, similar to Raycast. Apple’s new “Actions” feature allows users to perform tasks such as adding calendar events, creating GIFs, and managing folders, mirroring functionalities already available in Raycast.

Raycast had expanded to Windows and iOS with a suite of AI-powered features the previous year, broadening its reach.

Flight tracking via Live Activities

Sherlocked apps: Flighty

With iOS 26, Apple’s Wallet app now enables users to track and share flight statuses through Live Activities, a feature similar to that offered by Flighty, an Apple Design Award winner. Flighty allows users to track flights and manage check-ins.

Maps is also enhancing its airport navigation with details such as gate locations, security checkpoints, shops, and restrooms, some of which are already available in Flighty.

AI model integration with XCode

Sherlocked apps: Alex for Xcode

Apple is integrating ChatGPT as the default assistant for Xcode 26, allowing developers to connect other AI models via API keys. This move mirrors the functionality of Alex for Xcode, a Y-Combinator-backed app that offers web searches, issue fixes, terminal commands, and code base searches.

Record podcasts locally

Sherlocked apps: Riverside

The iPad’s new Local Capture feature allows users to record videos within any video calling app and share the recordings. This feature is similar to what Riverside has been offering, along with a comprehensive editing suite.

Notes for Apple Watch

Sherlocked apps: Plenty of apps with similar functionality

With the WatchOS 26 update, Apple has introduced the official Notes app to Apple Watch, replicating the functionality of existing third-party note-taking apps.

Call screening

Sherlocked apps: Robokiller, Truecaller

iOS 26’s Call Assist feature silently screens calls from unknown numbers, providing the user with the caller’s name and reason for calling before they decide to accept or reject the call. This is similar to features offered by Robokiller and Truecaller, which also provide SMS spam protection.

Parcel tracking

Sherlocked apps: Package tracking apps

The Wallet app now uses Apple Intelligence to track and summarize order statuses by analyzing emails from merchants and delivery services. This replicates features available in various package tracking applications.

What lies ahead

While Apple’s integration of features may pose challenges for some third-party apps, particularly those with narrow functionality, it also raises user awareness of such capabilities. Many users often prefer third-party apps for more customized experiences. Apps like Bezel for iPhone Mirroring and Unite for web apps on Mac, have continued to innovate with specialized features even after Apple implemented similar functionalities.