Apple’s new AI features are here! Ready to try out Apple Intelligence on your iPhone?
Apple has officially launched Apple Intelligence features, calling this a “new era” for its devices. After months of beta testing, these features are available to everyone through the iOS 18.1 update. So, the big question is: How can you get Apple Intelligence on your iPhone?
This rollout comes at a key time, as Apple has been working to catch up in the AI space. Since OpenAI’s ChatGPT sparked an AI craze in late 2022, the Cupertino giant has been relatively quiet. Apple Intelligence represents Apple’s move to show it can hold its own in AI innovation. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about Apple Intelligence, including how to get started with these new features.
Apple Intelligence compatible devices
The free iOS 18.1 update, which brings Apple Intelligence to your device, started rolling out on Monday. It’s a gradual release, so if you don’t see it immediately, don’t worry! Once it’s ready, you’ll get a notification, or you can check yourself by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Make sure you’re set up with iOS 18.1!
While this update can install on the iPhone SE (2nd gen), iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, and any iPhone from the 11 to 16 series, Apple Intelligence features are only available on the iPhone 16 lineup and iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max due to memory needs. If you’re running low on space, there are tips for freeing up storage on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
How to enable Apple Intelligence on iPhone?
After you’ve installed iOS 18.1, just head to Settings, tap on “Apple Intelligence & Siri,” and switch on the features to try out Apple Intelligence. You’ll get added to the Waitlist, and your iPhone will notify you as soon as Apple Intelligence is good to go. From my testing, this whole setup only takes a few minutes.
That’s all there is to it! You’ve got Apple Intelligence up and running, ready to explore AI specifically for Apple devices. These features are Apple’s first venture into generative AI, so go ahead and give them a try to see what you think.
What Apple Intelligence features are available?
Before we get into what it’s like to use Apple Intelligence, here’s a quick heads-up. A few of the features Apple introduced earlier this year, like creating emojis and images with AI and the iPhone’s ChatGPT integration, didn’t make it into iOS 18.1. The ones that did are still in beta, so they’re not fully refined yet. Let’s break down what Apple Intelligence has to offer so far.
Writing Tools
Apple’s AI is there to help you with your writing, whether it’s emails or notes. You can use it to finish your sentences, fix grammar errors, or adjust the tone. There’s a feature called Writing Tools that you can find in various apps. In Notes, for instance, there’s a button to get help quickly. For other places, just highlight the text, and you can select Writing Tools from the pop-up menu.
