How to Enable Apple Intelligence on Your iPhone
Apple is finally releasing some of the Apple Intelligence features it announced at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June. These features, powered by advanced AI technologies, promise to revolutionize how we interact with our devices, making them smarter and more intuitive than ever before. However, the rollout is currently restricted to developer beta versions of iOS 18.1. So if you don’t want to deal with early-stage buggy software, you might want to wait for the Apple Intelligence feature release of public betas or the stable release later this year.
What is Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence refers to a suite of AI-powered features designed to enhance the functionality and user experience of Apple devices. By leveraging both on-device processing and Apple Private Cloud requests, these features offer a seamless blend of convenience, efficiency, and security. From an upgraded Siri to advanced photo search capabilities, Apple Intelligence is poised to bring a new level of smartness to iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
Getting Started with Apple Intelligence
To start using Apple Intelligence features, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app: Navigate to the home screen and tap on the Settings app.
- Go to the Apple Intelligence & Siri menu: Scroll down and find this menu to access the relevant settings.
- Join the Apple Intelligence waitlist: Tap on the “Join the Apple Intelligence waitlist” option. Once your waitlist position is approved, you will get a notification.
System Requirements
At the moment, Apple Intelligence is only compatible with iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPads and Macs that run on M1 chips. Additionally, you can only use Apple Intelligence features if your language is set to U.S. English and your region is set to the U.S. This doesn’t affect your App Store regions or purchases.
Enabling Apple Intelligence Features
Once your waitlist position is approved, enabling Apple Intelligence features on your device is straightforward. It might take a while for the system to download all models and data necessary to run Apple Intelligence. You can toggle off the Apple Intelligence feature from the menu at any point in time.
Key Features of Apple Intelligence
1. New Siri
The Apple Intelligence-powered Siri comes with a new animation and enhanced capabilities. You can now double-tap on the bottom bar to text Siri when you are in a loud place or a meeting. Siri can also handle stumbling words, so when you say, “Hey Siri, set a 10-minute, no, 15-minute timer,” it will set a 15-minute timer.
2. How-to Questions
You can also ask Siri about Apple’s system-related how-tos such as “How do I take a screen recording?” This feature aims to make it easier for users to navigate and utilize their devices effectively.
3. Writing Tools
Apple Intelligence introduces new writing tools across the system. You can use “Proofread” to check for spelling mistakes or grammatical errors and “Rewrite” to rewrite the selected text without changing the meaning significantly. Additionally, you can change the tone of the text through three options: “Friendly,” “Professional,” or “Concise.” This feature is particularly useful for creating polished and context-appropriate communications.
4. Mail App Enhancements
The Mail app now shows summaries of emails in one line without opening them. Apple Intelligence also highlights important emails at the top of the inbox. Furthermore, AI-generated smart replies allow you to quickly respond to emails with appropriate responses.
5. Advanced Photo Search
With Apple Intelligence, you can search for photos using natural language queries. For instance, you can say, “Show me photos of my vacation last summer,” and the AI will retrieve relevant images. Additionally, you can create memories via prompts, making it easier to relive your favorite moments.
6. Notification Summaries
Apple Intelligence offers notification summaries for some mail and message notifications. This feature helps you stay organized and ensures that you don’t miss important communications.
7. Call Transcriptions
Apple Intelligence now powers call recording with the tap of a button. The recordings are stored under a new “Call Recordings” folder in the Notes app. This feature is particularly useful for keeping track of important conversations.
8. Notes App Audio Support
You can also record and transcribe audio directly into the Notes app. Apple’s AI suite will automatically produce a summary, making it easier to review and organize your notes.
Limitations and Future Updates
As of now, Apple Intelligence doesn’t include features such as the ability to remove unwanted objects in photos, emoji, image playground, and ChatGPT interactions. There is no fixed timeline for when these features will be available, but Apple is continuously working on enhancing its AI suite to offer even more functionality in the future.
Apple Intelligence is set to transform the way we use our Apple devices, making them smarter, more intuitive, and more efficient. While the current rollout is limited to developer beta versions of iOS 18.1, users can expect a more stable release later this year. With features like the new Siri, advanced photo search, and enhanced writing tools, Apple Intelligence promises to deliver a superior user experience. Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to explore the full potential of your Apple devices with Apple Intelligence.