How to get Apple Intelligence on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Apple Intelligence™ is set to revolutionize how we interact with our devices. This groundbreaking AI technology, built into the latest versions of iOS®, iPadOS®, and macOS®, promises to enhance our digital experiences in unprecedented ways. From intelligent writing assistance to personalized recommendations, Apple Intelligence aims to give users a tailored, intuitive tech experience.

But what exactly is Apple Intelligence? 

In short, it's a suite of AI-powered features that use advanced machine learning models to provide contextually relevant suggestions and actions across various apps and functions. What does that mean? Well, by analyzing your usage patterns and preferences, Apple Intelligence can offer proactive assistance and automate routine tasks, ultimately making your devices feel more personalized and efficient.

There’s a lot of excitement around Apple Intelligence, and many are eager to get their hands on these cutting-edge capabilities. However, as with any major software rollout, there are requirements and limitations to consider. We'll guide you through everything you need to know about getting Apple Intelligence on your iPhone®, iPad®, and Mac®. We'll cover availability details, system requirements, and how to join the waitlist for early access. Plus, we'll give you a sneak peek at some of the most anticipated features.

Upcoming Apple Intelligence features

Apple Intelligence introduces a wide array of exciting, AI-powered features across the iOS, iPadOS, and macOS ecosystems.

Enhanced Siri capabilities

Siri® gets a major upgrade with Apple Intelligence, offering more natural language interactions and deeper integration with third-party apps. You can expect faster, more accurate responses and the ability to perform complex tasks, like requests that require Siri to pull up files between applications, with just your voice.

Writing tools

Apple Intelligence provides advanced writing assistance through contextual suggestions, rewriting, proofreading, and summarization. Whether you're drafting an email, composing a document, or jotting down notes, these tools can help you express yourself better and faster.

Privacy-focused design

Apple has made privacy a top priority with Apple Intelligence. All processing happens on the device, making sure that your personal data remains secure and under your control. You can trust that your information isn't being sent to the cloud or used for advertising purposes.

Image Playground

With the Image Playground API, developers can integrate AI-generated image capabilities into their apps. This opens up new possibilities for visual expression and creativity, from original images to personalized designs.

Genmoji

Create your own custom emojis, called Genmoji, based on your facial expressions and preferences to add a fun, unique flair to your communications.

Enhanced Siri capabilities

Siri® gets a major upgrade with Apple Intelligence, offering more natural language interactions and deeper integration with third-party apps. You can expect faster, more accurate responses and the ability to perform complex tasks, like pulling up a recipe in your Messages, with just your voice.

When will Apple Intelligence be available?

Apple Intelligence is slated for release in October 2024 as part of the iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS 14.1 updates1.

Apple Intelligence compatibility

Initially, it will be available in beta for the following Apple Intelligence supported devices.

iPhone models

• iPhone 16
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max

iPad models

The following iPad models will support Apple Intelligence:

• iPad Pro (M1, M2, and M4 models)
• iPad Air (M1 and M2 models)
• iPad mini (with A17 Pro chip)

Mac models

Apple Intelligence will be accessible on the following Mac models:

• MacBook Air (M1, M2, and M3 models)
• MacBook Pro (M1, M2, and M3 models)
• iMac (M1, M2, and M3 models)
• Mac mini (M1, M2, and M3 models)
• Mac Studio (M1, M2, and M3 models)
• Mac Pro (M2 Ultra model)

Over time, Apple plans to expand availability to more devices, languages, and regions. However, there may be some initial limitations in China and parts of Europe due to regulatory considerations.

How to join the Apple Intelligence waitlist

To get early access to Apple Intelligence, you'll need to join the waitlist. Here's how:

1. Update your eligible iPhone to iOS 18.1 when it becomes available in October 2024.
2. After updating, go to Settings > General > Software Update.
3. Look for the Apple Intelligence Beta option and tap Join Waitlist.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to enroll your device.
5. Once your spot on the waitlist becomes available, you'll receive a notification to activate Apple Intelligence.

Keep in mind that waitlist spots are limited, so it's a good idea to join as soon as possible after updating to iOS 18.1. Also, note that you may need to free up some storage space on your phone, MacBook, or iPad, as the on-device AI models can require several gigabytes to download.

Requirements for getting Apple Intelligence

To run Apple Intelligence, your device will need to meet certain requirements:

• iPhone 16, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max running iOS 18.1
• iPad with M1 chip or later running iPadOS 18.1
• Mac with M1 chip or later running macOS 14.1
• Minimum 4GB of free storage space
• Device language set to English (US) during the initial beta period

If your device doesn't meet these criteria, you may need to upgrade to a newer model or wait for expanded availability in the future. It's also important to have a stable internet connection during the setup process.