Raycast Comes to iOS: A Productivity Powerhouse Faces Mobile Challenges

Raycast has long been a darling of Mac power users, transforming the way developers, designers, and productivity enthusiasts navigate their computers. Launched in 2020 by former Facebook engineers Thomas Paul Mann and Petr Nikolaev, Raycast took the macOS ecosystem by storm as a faster, more versatile alternative to Apple’s Spotlight. Now, as of April 30, 2025, Raycast has expanded beyond its Mac roots with the release of its first iOS app, bringing a slice of its productivity magic to iPhone and iPad users. But while the iOS version carries the Raycast name, it’s not quite the same beast as its desktop counterpart. Let’s dive into what made Raycast a must-have on Mac, explore the iOS app’s offerings, and unpack the limitations that keep it from fully replicating the Mac experience.

Why Raycast Shines on macOS

On macOS, Raycast is nothing short of a productivity superpower. It’s often described as a “modern command line” or a “Spotlight killer,” and for good reason. At its core, Raycast is a launcher that lets you access apps, files, and system controls with a few keystrokes, typically triggered by a customizable shortcut like Option+Space. But it’s so much more than a search bar. Here’s why Mac users can’t stop raving about it:

• Blazing Speed and Ergonomics: Raycast is built for keyboard-first users, operating in milliseconds with a crash-free rate of 99.8%. It’s designed to keep your fingers on the keyboard, minimizing mouse clicks and context switching. Whether you’re launching apps, toggling system settings, or performing quick calculations, Raycast feels instantaneous.
• Extensibility Through Plugins: Raycast’s open API and community-driven extension store are game-changers. With thousands of extensions, you can integrate with tools like Spotify, Notion, Jira, or 1Password, allowing you to manage tasks, search files, or control music without leaving the Raycast window. Want to pull up a Google Drive doc or run a Terminal command? There’s an extension for that.
• Deep System Integration: Unlike Spotlight, Raycast can resize windows, manage clipboard history, toggle dark mode, or even auto-join calendar meetings with a single command. It’s like an operating system within your operating system, offering shortcuts to everything from GitHub pull requests to quick notes.
• AI-Powered Features: Raycast’s Pro tier ($96/year) includes Raycast AI, which integrates multiple large language models (LLMs) like OpenAI’s GPT-4o mini and Anthropic’s offerings. This lets you chat with AI, generate content, or automate tasks directly from the launcher.

The result is a tool that feels indispensable for anyone who spends hours at their Mac. It’s no wonder Raycast has garnered hundreds of thousands of users globally, from developers to journalists, all drawn to its promise of eliminating busywork.

Raycast on iOS: A Companion, Not a Clone

The arrival of Raycast on iOS is a big deal—users have been clamoring for a mobile version for years. The app, now available on the App Store, brings some of Raycast’s signature features to iPhone and iPad, integrated with iOS 18 features like Control Center, Lock Screen widgets, and the Action Button. But don’t expect a carbon copy of the Mac experience. The iOS app is positioned as a companion, leaning heavily on a few key features while navigating Apple’s restrictive mobile ecosystem. Here’s what you get:

• AI Chat on the Go: Raycast’s AI capabilities are front and center, letting you interact with multiple LLMs directly from your iPhone or iPad. Whether you’re brainstorming ideas or asking for quick answers, the chatbot is a standout feature, accessible via Siri Shortcuts or the Action Button.
• Quicklinks and Snippets: Quicklinks let you store and access URLs or app links for fast navigation, while Snippets allow you to save frequently used text for quick pasting. These are lifesavers for repetitive tasks, like sharing common links or filling out forms.
• Notes and Cloud Sync: The iOS app includes a Notes feature for capturing ideas, with cloud sync ensuring your data stays consistent across devices. This is especially handy for Mac users who want to access their Raycast notes on the move.
• iOS-Native Integrations: Raycast embraces iOS 18’s features, offering customizable widgets for quick access to tools, Lock Screen controls for actions like “Ask AI,” and Shortcuts integration for workflow automation. These make the app feel at home on iOS, even if its scope is narrower.

The iOS app is a promising start, and Raycast’s team is already eyeing additions like a custom keyboard for AI Commands and Snippets, voice input for Notes, and potential sync for features like Clipboard History and Focus mode.

The iOS Limitations: Apple’s Sandbox Strikes Again

While Raycast’s iOS debut is exciting, it’s not the full-fledged launcher Mac users know and love. Apple’s tightly controlled iOS environment imposes significant limitations, and Raycast’s team has had to get creative to make the app work. Here are the key challenges:

• No Spotlight Replacement: On macOS, Raycast can replace Spotlight as the go-to system launcher. On iOS, Spotlight is untouchable, and Raycast can’t replicate that deep system-wide access. You can’t use it to launch apps or control settings with the same fluidity, making it feel more like a standalone tool than a system overlay.
• Restricted System Access: iOS’s sandboxing means Raycast can’t interact with the operating system as freely as it does on macOS. Features like window management, system toggles, or direct app control are either irrelevant or impossible on mobile. This limits Raycast to a narrower set of tasks, like AI queries and text management.
• Limited Extension Support: Raycast’s Mac version thrives on its extension ecosystem, but iOS’s restrictions make it unlikely that Extensions will come to mobile anytime soon. Apple’s policies could view an in-app extension store as a competing app store, a big no-no. Without extensions, Raycast loses much of its versatility.
• Not a Full Launcher: Unlike the Mac version’s all-purpose text box, the iOS app is more visual and proactive, relying on widgets and predefined actions. This shift makes it less flexible for power users who want to execute custom commands or automate complex workflows.
• Siri’s Shadow: Raycast AI can’t match Siri’s ease of access, as it lacks the always-on voice activation Siri offers. While you can trigger Raycast via the Action Button or Control Center, it’s not as seamless as Siri for quick queries.

These limitations aren’t Raycast’s fault—Apple’s walled garden is a tough place for ambitious apps. The team has acknowledged that building the iOS app was as much about figuring out why to build it as how to build it. For now, they’re treating it as a starting point, gathering user feedback to shape future updates.

The Road Ahead for Raycast on iOS

Raycast’s iOS launch is a bold step, but it’s clear the app is still finding its footing. The Mac version’s greatness lies in its ability to be a central hub for all your computer’s tasks, a role that’s nearly impossible to replicate on iOS due to platform constraints. Still, the iOS app has potential, especially for existing Raycast users who want to carry their AI, Notes, and Snippets with them. Posts on X reflect mixed sentiment: some users are thrilled about text expansion and bookmark management on iOS, while others note the app’s limited power compared to its Mac sibling.

Looking forward, Raycast’s roadmap includes exciting possibilities like a custom keyboard and voice-driven features, which could make the app more indispensable. There’s also the question of Android—its open platform could allow a more robust Raycast experience, though the team is currently focused on Apple’s ecosystem.

For now, Raycast for iOS is a solid companion for Mac users, offering just enough utility to justify its place on your Home Screen. If you’re new to Raycast, start with the Mac version to see what the fuss is about, then dip into the iOS app for on-the-go access. It’s not a revolution yet, but it’s a promising first step. Download it from the App Store and join the waitlist for beta updates to stay in the loop.