Split Bills and Add Passes Instantly with iOS 27’s New Visual Intelligence

Apple is rolling out a handful of under‑the‑hood tweaks with iOS 27, but the most noticeable change for everyday users is the brand‑new Visual Intelligence feature. Think of it as your camera getting a little boost of Siri smarts – it can read a receipt, break down the total, and fire off Apple Cash requests without you having to manually type anything.

Before you get too excited, there are a few hoops to jump through. You need an iPhone that supports iOS 27, Apple Cash must be set up on your device, and the receipt you’re scanning has to be itemized and reasonably clear. If those boxes are checked, the process is almost too easy.

How to split a check with Visual Intelligence

1. Pull the receipt onto a flat surface with decent lighting.
2. Open Control Center (swipe down from the top‑right corner).
3. Press and hold an empty spot, tap “Add a Control,” then search for “Visual Intelligence” and add it.
4. Tap the new Visual Intelligence icon, point the camera at the receipt, and wait for the yellow “Split Bill with Apple Cash” button to appear.
5. Choose the friends you want to charge, review the line items – you can adjust for tax, tip, or shared appetizers – and hit send.

The app does a decent job of parsing each line, so you don’t have to settle for an even split if the group ordered different dishes. Of course, it’s always wise to double‑check the numbers, especially when discounts or service fees are involved.

Adding physical passes to Wallet

The same Visual Intelligence control works for boarding passes, loyalty cards, event tickets, and other pass‑type items that normally have a QR code or the Apple Wallet logo. Just open Control Center, tap Visual Intelligence, and hold the camera over the pass. If iOS 27 recognizes it, a prompt will ask if you want to add it to Wallet. Some issuers still require you to use their official app or website, but for many everyday cards this shortcut is a handy fallback.

Once the pass lands in Wallet, you can rearrange it by pressing and dragging – just like you would with any other card. This gives you a quick way to keep your most‑used passes front and centre without digging through apps.

At the moment, Visual Intelligence and the split‑bill feature are only available in the iOS 27 public or developer betas, so you might need to opt into the beta to try them out. When the final release lands later this year, they’ll become standard on compatible devices, though using an issuer’s native “Add to Apple Wallet” link will probably remain the most reliable method for some cards.

All in all, iOS 27’s Visual Intelligence feels like a small but thoughtful nudge toward a more seamless digital wallet experience – especially for anyone who already treats their iPhone as a credit or debit card.