Sources: OpenAI is weighing legal action against Apple after expectations that ChatGPT's Siri integration would generate billions per year in revenue fell short

Apple Inc.'s two-year-old partnership with OpenAI has become strained, according to people familiar with the matter …

Bloomberg 2026-05-15 Mark Gurman

Context & Ripple Effects

Related coverage shows the arrangement began with Apple adding ChatGPT without paying OpenAI directly, while Apple expected eventual revenue-sharing arrangements with chatbot providers. That makes the reported revenue shortfall a dispute over how platform distribution is monetized, rather than simply a product-integration issue.

The partnership was already part of a wider competitive debate: xAI alleged Apple’s ChatGPT integration stifled competition, while Apple said it planned to integrate other chatbots. OpenAI considering action would put pressure on the commercial assumptions behind that strategy.

First-order effects

OpenAI and Apple face a more adversarial relationship as OpenAI weighs legal action after the Siri integration failed to meet reported revenue expectations.
The parties may need to revisit the economics and operating terms of ChatGPT’s place in Apple’s software, even if no lawsuit is ultimately filed.

Second-order effects

Apple’s stated plan to support other chatbots becomes more consequential: broader integration could reduce OpenAI’s dependence on a single Apple distribution channel while increasing competitive pressure on ChatGPT.
The xAI dispute and OpenAI’s reported concerns could make chatbot providers more focused on explicit access, placement, and revenue-sharing terms when negotiating with device platforms.

Third-order effects

If major AI providers increasingly challenge platform terms, assistant integrations may evolve from bilateral product partnerships into a contested market governed by clearer commercial and competition rules.
The episode points to uncertainty over whether AI assistants can build durable businesses through default platform placement, or must retain direct user and revenue relationships outside those platforms.

The trend: AI-model companies and consumer platforms are moving from early integration announcements to disputes over distribution control, competitive access, and who captures the resulting revenue.

Discussion

@markgurman Mark Gurman on x
For its part, Apple has been furious for over a year about OpenAI's aggressive recruiting of its hardware engineers for its AI devices division that was acquired from former Apple design chief Jony Ive. Apple has also been wary of OpenAI's privacy practices.
@kyliebytes Kylie Robison on x
not sure i would want to be in a shit flinging contest with Apple lawyers
@mikeisaac Rat King on x
it is pretty funny to be like “oh damn the deal we cut sucks, time to sue you” also reminds me of the Square/Starbucks deal from years back, in which square thought it was getting a distribution coup but they negotiated poorly and ended costing them $$$ (no lawsuit there tho!)
@markgurman Mark Gurman on x
BREAKING: Apple and OpenAI's once-blockbuster relationship over ChatGPT integration in iOS has become strained and the AI startup is now preparing possible legal action against Apple, believing their deal has flopped. https://www.bloomberg.com/...
@markgurman Mark Gurman on x
“We have done everything from a product perspective,” said an OpenAI executive with knowledge of the matter, who declined to be named. “They have not, and worse, they haven't even made an honest effort.” The company is working with a law firm to help it with the situation.
@patrickmoorhead Patrick Moorhead on x
Still no Apple Health on ChatGPT yet available on Claude and Perplexity. You know it had to be some non- technical issue.
@adamscochran Adam Cochran on x
There is no world in which you don't buy the next iPhone because Siri isn't as good as another AI app. OpenAI losing partnerships with both Microsoft and now Apple is bad for them - not Apple. And gives Anthropic a huge leg up. More public companies have Anthropic stake than
@markgurman Mark Gurman on x
The ChatGPT integration in iOS is basic, including summarized results that are subpar to what is present in the ChatGPT App Store app. Integration and subscription options are also more limited than what OpenAI expected during deal discussions.
@marypcbuk Mary Branscombe on bluesky
doing a licencing deal with Apple and thinking that you'll be the one making money is which stage of Kubler Ross? [embedded post]
@daniloc.xyz @daniloc.xyz on bluesky
“I'm gonna sue you because people don't want my product” is, incidentally, not the most compelling IPO narrative [embedded post]
@kithrup Sean Eric Fagan on bluesky
I kinda want to say “GO APPLE SCREW THEM OVER!” but I doubt it was intentional. [embedded post]
@caseynewton Casey Newton on bluesky
You rarely see companies fight Apple like this in public. Not sure exactly what OpenAI was expecting but it's true that Siri is the absolute worst way to use ChatGPT [embedded post]
@elaineburke Elaine Burke on bluesky
Says a lot about this $852bn company that they thought one of their best revenue bets was to just plug their chatbot into someone else's virtual assistant tech and reap rewards. Some real Underpants Gnomes thinking. [embedded post]
@wowbaggert @wowbaggert on bluesky
LOL nobody wants their AI slop search, but they can't accept that so they're going to try to sue 😂 [embedded post]
@mgsiegler.com M.G. Siegler on bluesky
One fireworks show ends, another begins... [embedded post]
@carlquintanilla Carl Quintanilla on bluesky
(Bloomberg) - Apple Inc.'s two-year-old partnership with OpenAI has become strained, according to people familiar with the matter, with the AI startup failing to see the expected benefits from the deal and now preparing possible legal action — @markgurman.bsky.social — www.bl…
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