5 fashionable iPhone and Mac apps in critical hazard of being Sherlocked this fall

It wouldn’t be WWDC if Apple didn’t do some stealing. In truth, Apple has such a longtime behavior of introducing new software program options that overlap and finally overtake third-party Mac apps there’s even a time period for it. Sherlocking comes from Apple’s Sherlock app, one of many first to usurp a preferred third-party various referred to as Watson again within the Nineteen Nineties.

This follow was on show once more at WWDC 2025, the place Apple launched a number of new options in iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe that appeared eerily just like these supplied by unbiased apps and builders. In fact, we’re not going to complain about new capabilities in macOS, and Apple is way from the one firm so as to add options which have been achieved elsewhere earlier than. However if you happen to’re a fan of one among these apps, they may not be round for for much longer.

Alfred

Alfred is a well-liked productiveness app that provides a set of controls that degree up your Mac. That features an app and file launcher that’s accessed by a floating text-entry bar, in-app controls that may be activated utilizing your keyboard, intensive clipboard historical past, and textual content snippets that act as shortcuts for numerous duties. Beginning to sound acquainted?

It ought to, as a result of this intently mirrors the novel overhaul that Apple delivered to Highlight in macOS Tahoe. As an alternative of a easy search field, Highlight has now been empowered with a spread of latest skills. It may work inside apps to launch menu bar controls, comes with parameters for filling out emails and textual content messages, has deep integration with Shortcuts, and even makes use of textual content snippets to kickstart actions with just some faucets.

Alfred nonetheless has a couple of tips up its sleeve that haven’t but made it into Highlight, akin to 1Password integration and visible theming, however the gulf between it and Highlight has been closed considerably. And Apple is probably going solely simply getting began.

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Route

For those who’re somebody who ceaselessly has parcels delivered to your door, you understand how vital it’s to maintain observe of every part that’s on the best way. Most package deal junkies doubtless already use the feature-rich third-party app Route to remain on high of their packages, however with iOS 26, that may be achieved natively in your iPhone.

It’s achieved by utilizing Apple Intelligence to scan your emails and messages and pull out related supply data, akin to monitoring numbers and service firms. That is then collated within the Pockets app, providing you with a centralized place to control your parcels without having to obtain some other apps. Better of all, it’s all achieved robotically, so all you might want to do is purchase one thing.

Flighty

The iOS 26 replace has seen a serious improve for digital boarding passes saved within the Pockets app, with instructions to your terminal gate and assist discovering misplaced baggage outfitted with an AirTag or different FindMy tracker. Thus far, no Sherlocking there.

However that every one modifications when you think about the Reside Actions performance that has been added to boarding passes. There’ll now be a widget that exhibits present flight standing (akin to how lengthy till it’s as a consequence of land), the aircraft’s arrival terminal and baggage declare desk quantity, airline information, and flight quantity, and extra. That intently matches the Reside Actions supplied by the favored flight-tracking app Flighty.

Flighty nonetheless has the sting in some methods, akin to its speedy delay alerts that may attain you earlier than even the airline’s personal notifications. However there’s little doubt that Apple has swooped in and launched its personal answer that covers quite a lot of the identical floor as Flighty.

Apple

Bartender

At WWDC, Apple lifted the lid on its Liquid Glass visible redesign. Impressed by visionOS, this brings transparency and glass-like results to nearly each Apple system and working system. One facet of that in macOS is that the menu bar can now be completely clear. However there’s one other menu bar tweak which may not have happy the builders of the favored Bartender app.

That’s as a result of in macOS Tahoe, you may shortly and simply conceal third-party icons out of your menu bar. It is a function that you just’ll additionally discover in Bartender, and simply one of many major the explanation why folks love the longtime utility. There’s no telling how a lot time Bartender has saved customers by eliminating the necessity to bounce between app settings. 

For energy customers, Bartender in all probability isn’t underneath existential risk from Apple simply but, because it gives much more performance that isn’t natively matched by macOS, with much more customization choices and a useful software palette that pops out beneath your menu bar. However for informal customers, Bartender simply obtained Sherlocked.

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Truecaller

We’ve all been confronted with undesirable spam calls that interrupt our day, starting from the mildly annoying to the downright malicious. For years, the Truecaller app has helped iPhone customers keep away from scammers and telemarketers by figuring out unknown callers, blocking spammers, rooting out fraudulent textual content messages, and requiring callers to establish themselves earlier than they’re let by. It obtained even higher in iOS 18.2 when Apple added a Reside Caller ID Lookup API with real-time spam blocking.

Sadly for Truecaller, iOS 26 can now do a few of these issues by itself. The Name Screening function, as an illustration, asks callers to clarify why they’re contacting you, then exhibits the ends in textual content in your display, letting you ignore the decision or decide it up while you’re prepared. For most individuals, that may be higher than figuring out spammers.