# Apple starts testing AI shopping assistant in the Apple Store app

> Source: <https://9to5mac.com/2026/08/24/apple-store-app-is-testing-an-ai-shopping-assistant/>
> Published: 2026-08-24 14:07:53+00:00

Last month, [a report suggested](https://9to5mac.com/2026/07/22/apple-store-app-may-soon-get-an-ai-powered-shopping-assistant/) Apple was working on a new AI-powered shopping assistant for the Apple Store app on iPhone and iPad.

The company now appears to be rolling that out to [select users](https://x.com/VNchocoTaco/status/2091856604429947374) as part of an “Early Preview.”

In the Apple Store app, some users now see a new chat-style icon in the bottom right corner, replacing the traditional search icon. On that page, users can search for a product or start chatting with a “virtual shopping assistant.”

“I’m your virtual shopping assistant. Ask me about Apple products, existing orders, connecting with a specialist, and more, or feel free to use the prompts below.”

The prompts include suggestions like:

- Latest Apple products
- Find my trade-in value
- Explain carrier offers
- Help me choose a Watch
- iPhone monthly payments
- Compare iPad lineup

The image above gives us a preview of the new design, courtesy of [ShrimpApplePro on X](https://x.com/VNchocoTaco/status/2091856604429947374).

Apple’s fine print explains:

“Virtual shopping assistant is powered by artificial intelligence and may give answers that contain inaccuracies. Apple may use and retain a transcript to ensure quality and system performance, and to monitor for fraud.”

Access to the shopping assistant in the Apple Store app isn’t available to everyone. Apple says it’s available in an “Early Preview” to select users. There’s no word on when it will expand widely.

What do you think of Apple adding a new AI-powered assistant to the Apple Store app? Will you use it? Let us know down in the comments.

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