A small detail in recent app updates suggests Microsoft may be quietly promoting its AI assistant through an unexpected channel.
Microsoft’s iPhone apps are now showing a Copilot reference inside Apple App Store release notes. In apps such as OneDrive, the changelog includes the line “*These notes were generated using Copilot” at the bottom. This disclosure is not required by Apple, indicating it may be a deliberate branding choice.
This practice is not entirely new. Microsoft has been adding the same Copilot credit to certain App Store changelogs since May 13, 2025. However, it was only recently noticed by a technology publication. The Copilot mention does not appear consistently across all Microsoft iOS apps or every update.
Notably, the OneDrive app on macOS does not include any reference to Copilot in its release notes, even though the changelog is detailed. On Android, the Play Store does not display version history in the same way, making it unclear whether this approach is limited to iOS or selectively applied.
The Copilot credit also does not appear on every update. Smaller bug fix releases tend to exclude it, while larger updates often include the line. This suggests the wording is added intentionally rather than through an automated template.
Microsoft has openly discussed using AI to help write parts of its software code. The appearance of Copilot in release notes indicates that internal teams may also be using the tool for simpler tasks such as drafting update summaries.
Apple’s App Store rules do not require developers to explain how release notes are written. As a result, the Copilot mention stands out as a conscious decision rather than a compliance step.
Copilot continues to compete for attention in a crowded AI market that includes ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity. While Microsoft has made major investments in AI development, Copilot has not yet matched its rivals in user adoption.
Release notes offer a low risk but highly visible space to surface the Copilot name. Every app update places this text in front of millions of users, helping normalize the tool without pushing direct marketing.
With Apple still rolling out its own AI features in stages and without a full chatbot equivalent, App Store listings remain one of the few areas where third party AI tools can gain quiet visibility.
This small change may point to a broader shift, where AI generated content gradually becomes a standard part of everyday software updates.
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