It's finally here! Apple Intelligence has arrived as part of iOS 18.1. The new update for iPhone brings the first wave of Apple's AI features to your device and can be installed right now.
This update includes the first set of Apple Intelligence features, such as Writing Tools for proofreading and rewriting, Smart Replies to reply to messages quickly, Notification Summaries, Cleaning Photos, and a redesign of Siri. You'll also get these experiences on an iPad or Mac courtesy of iPadOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1, which also began rolling out today.
Other Apple Intelligence features, like Genmoji, Image Playground, and ChatGPT-integration for Siri will arrive in iOS 18.2 later this year. For owners of the best iPhone, the iPhone 16, Visual Intelligence using the device's Camera Control will also be made available as part of iOS 18.2.
We've been talking about Apple Intelligence for months, so it's incredibly exciting to finally be able to install the official release of iOS 18.1 and get started with everything Apple's AI-powered tools have to offer. If you'd like to know more about Apple Intelligence and its features, check out this list of Apple Intelligence features.
Unfortunately, to use Apple Intelligence on the iPhone, you need an iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, or 16 Pro Max. That said, iOS 18.1 offers a range of other updates outside of AI. On a Mac, you'll need an M-Series chip and on the iPad you'll need either the A17 Pro, M1, M2, or M4 chips to get Apple Intelligence.
This launch is for Apple Intelligence in US English, if you want to try Apple Intelligence but don't live in the United States, here's how to get Apple Intelligence in the UK and other countries. Apple Intelligence will officially be available in English (UK), English (Australia), English(Canada), English (Ireland), English (South Africa), English (New Zealand) in December as part of iOS 18.2
Mac users in the EU can use Apple Intelligence with the above workaround in macOS Sequoia 15.1. In April, iPhone and iPad users in the EU will be able to use Apple Intelligence and everything it has to offer.
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An Apple spokesperson said, "We are thrilled that iPhone and iPad customers in the EU will have access to many of the core features of Apple Intelligence. Features like Writing Tools, Genmoji, a re-designed Siri with richer language understanding, ChatGPT integration, and many more capabilities will help users do even more with their devices. Since announcing Apple Intelligence, we have been working to find a path to deliver as many features as we can in the EU in a way that complies with the DMA while maintaining user privacy and security, and to determine what additional product engineering would be required to do so. We look forward to bringing Apple Intelligence features to users in the EU in future software updates."
Siri's redesign on an iPhone 16 Pro Max (Image credit: Future / Apple)
iOS 18.1 also introduces a range of upgrades for AirPods owners, including an FDA-approved over-the-counter hearing aid feature for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro owners will also be able to change the camera that Camera Control launches, with a new option to switch quickly to the front TrueDepth Camera. You'll also find new Control Center options in the newly redesigned Control Center found in iOS 18.
iOS 18.1 also fixes many bugs and brings stability improvements to all iOS 18-compatible iPhones. That said, Apple Intelligence is really the star of the show here, and with the latest update, Apple looks to be prioritizing iPhone 15 Pro owners and newer.
Want to know more about our thoughts? Check out our iOS 18.1 Apple Intelligence hands-on to get a rundown of every AI feature you can use in the new update. If you're looking for a new Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone, check out our iPhone 16 review.
John-Anthony Disotto is TechRadar's Senior Writer, AI, bringing you the latest news on, and comprehensive coverage of, tech's biggest buzzword. An expert on all things Apple, he was previously iMore's How To Editor, and has a monthly column in MacFormat. John-Anthony has used the Apple ecosystem for over a decade, and is an award-winning journalist with years of experience in editorial.
