Microsoft Promotes Copilot via iOS App Update Logs: Labeled "Generated by AI"

On December 15, Microsoft may have found a subtle yet clever way to promote its AI assistant, Copilot. Recently, users noticed that some Microsoft apps on Apple’s App Store—such as OneDrive—now include a small line at the bottom of their update logs: “* This release note was generated by Copilot.” Notably, Apple does not require developers to disclose how release notes are written, suggesting this move is a deliberate, low-key marketing tactic by Microsoft to highlight its AI capabilities.

Starting as early as May 13, 2025, Microsoft has quietly added this disclaimer to several App Store app updates. However, the detail went largely unnoticed until tech site Windows Latest brought it to light. Upon reviewing version histories across most Microsoft applications on the platform, such labels were not found consistently.

Interestingly, while the Mac version of OneDrive features detailed update notes, it lacks any mention of Copilot authorship. Meanwhile, Google Play for Android doesn’t display version history publicly, making it unclear whether Microsoft applies this labeling only to iOS apps like OneDrive or simply overlooked it elsewhere.

iOS currently lacks a deeply integrated, powerful native AI assistant. With competitors like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity gaining traction, Copilot needs greater visibility to capture significant market share. This strategic footnote could be part of a broader effort to increase brand recognition in environments where Microsoft doesn’t control the ecosystem.

Microsoft has previously confirmed using AI-assisted coding in software development. Now, evidence suggests internal teams are extending Copilot's role to simpler tasks—such as drafting release notes for the OneDrive iOS app.

Critically, Apple’s App Store review guidelines do not mandate disclosure about how update logs are composed. Therefore, Microsoft’s inclusion of the Copilot tag appears entirely voluntary—an intentional branding decision rather than compliance with rules.

According to Windows Latest, the Copilot attribution isn't present in every update. Verification shows it typically appears only in major feature-rich releases, not minor bug fixes. If the tag were merely an automated template insertion, it would likely appear uniformly across all versions. Its selective use implies human oversight and strategic intent.

From a market positioning standpoint, this approach makes sense. Despite heavy investment in generative AI and a close partnership with OpenAI, Copilot still lags behind ChatGPT in user adoption. Encouraging internal teams to use Copilot—even for writing simple update logs—helps generate real-world usage data and feedback, potentially improving the system over time.

Release notes represent a low-risk content type: users don’t expect literary flair or deep technical insight, yet millions see them during each app update. For Microsoft, leveraging this highly visible but non-intrusive space allows gradual, frictionless exposure of the Copilot brand without alienating users—a safe and efficient promotional channel.

Currently, Apple has not launched a native AI chatbot capable of competing directly with Copilot, Gemini, or ChatGPT. Siri remains limited in functionality, and "Apple Intelligence" features are still rolling out in phases with restricted availability.

Moreover, App Store release notes are among the few user-facing text areas where Apple exercises minimal content moderation. As long as this subtle promotion drives even a fraction of readers to try Copilot, Microsoft stands to benefit from increased awareness and engagement.