There’s nothing worse than going to a dinner with a big group of friends, opting out of drinking to save money, but then still having to pay for your friends’ espresso martinis when the group decides to split the bill evenly. To alleviate this, Apple unveiled a new feature at WWDC 2026: you can point your iPhone camera at a receipt, and the Siri mode in the Camera app will make each item selectable, allowing you to track who got each item and send separate Apple Cash payment requests based on what they actually ordered. This feature aims to make bill splitting a less awkward experience. Apple VP of Software Sebastien Marineau-Mes stated, “If you’re grabbing a bite with friends and point your iPhone at the bill, then you can select what you ordered to split the tab with Apple Cash.” While similar bill-splitting options were available with apps like SplitWise or Tab, they never gained much popularity. Since Apple’s payment features are built into native apps like iMessage, it feels more organic to send a payment request through an app that users don't have to download. Additionally, users can utilize another Siri mode in Camera to see estimated nutrition information about the food they are eating.
Blogger's Review: Apple's move not only enhances the convenience of bill splitting but also elevates user experience through Siri's integration. Compared to other bill-splitting apps, Apple leverages its existing ecosystem, significantly lowering the barrier for users, which may lead to more innovations in the future.