Natural language App Store search was part of the October iOS 18.1 update, but Apple’s reminder today was the first time I’ve seen it on my iPhone.
Today, when I opened the App Store to search for an emulator I’d recently read about, a new prompt appeared just beneath the search bar: “Search the way you talk.” It immediately caught my attention. I’m using an iPhone 13 Pro Max, and while I’m pretty diligent about keeping my software updated, I’d somehow overlooked this little gem in the iOS 18.1 update notes. Naturally, I had to explore.
What’s New in the App Store Search?
This update, rolled out back in October, brings natural language processing (NLP) to the App Store search. According to Apple, it’s designed to make finding apps more intuitive by allowing users to type queries the same way they’d phrase them in everyday conversation.
Apple’s push for natural language search doesn’t stop with the App Store. The company has also integrated similar features across other iOS 18 apps, including Photos, Music, and Apple TV. However, this was my first encounter with the feature on the App Store, and I’m clearly not alone in that. While some users reported seeing splash screens introducing this feature when it first launched, many of us are just now stumbling upon it. Interestingly, a colleague of mine at The Verge managed to trigger the message simply by closing and reopening the app.
Putting Natural Language Search to the Test
The prompt under the search bar suggested queries like, “Apps that help me work out.” Naturally, I couldn’t resist experimenting. Here’s how it performed:
1. Searching for Emulators
My initial query was straightforward: “Emulators that feature multiple consoles.” To my surprise, the top result was Delta, a well-known multi-console emulator app. This was a promising start.
Next, I tried “Apps that only emulate single consoles.” The results were a mixed bag. While the list included PS Remote Play, PlayStation, and Xbox apps — none of which are strictly emulators — it did follow up with Gamma, a PS1 emulator. Not perfect, but it felt like the search engine was at least attempting to parse my intent.
2. Video Games for Fitness
For my next query, I tried, “Video games that can help me work out.” The results? Less impressive. Among them was Twerk Race 3D, which, while amusing, isn’t exactly what I’d call a workout app. Still, I could see the logic in how the algorithm interpreted “work out” broadly, even if the execution wasn’t spot-on.
The Good, the Bad, and the Promising
Natural language search represents a significant leap forward for the App Store’s functionality. Historically, I’ve found App Store searches to be helpful only when I already knew the exact name of the app I wanted. This new feature, however, opens the door to discovering a wider variety of apps based on more nuanced or conversational queries. For example, simply typing “workout apps” might have yielded predictable results, but asking for “Apps that help me work out” seemed to encourage the algorithm to think outside the box.
That said, the system is far from perfect. While it excelled at identifying a well-known emulator like Delta, it stumbled with more specific queries, such as distinguishing between single-console and multi-console emulators. Similarly, its interpretation of “workout” veered into unexpected territory.
A Glimpse Into the Future
Apple’s addition of natural language search is part of a broader trend in tech: making interfaces more human-friendly. As AI and NLP technology continue to evolve, we can expect even more sophisticated and accurate results over time. Imagine being able to ask your device for “apps that track my runs and sync with my smartwatch” and receiving exactly what you need, without sifting through irrelevant suggestions.
For now, this feature feels like a step in the right direction. While it’s not yet flawless, it’s a marked improvement over the App Store’s old search system, which often felt frustratingly rigid and limited.
Final Thoughts
If you haven’t tried natural language search in the App Store yet, it’s worth giving it a shot. Whether you’re looking for something specific or simply exploring, the new system adds a touch of convenience and creativity to the search process.
So, the next time you’re browsing the App Store, don’t hold back. Ask for “apps that help me budget” or “games to play with friends online,” and see what pops up. Who knows? You might just discover your new favorite app — even if it’s not quite what you were expecting.
