Apple recently rolled out its first set of Apple Intelligence features that run natively on MacBook, iPad, and iPhone. Supported devices include iPhone 15 Pro and later models and iPads and Macs with M1 chip or newer. Here’s everything you need to know about Apple Intelligence and how you can enable it on your device today.
What is Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence refers to a suite of AI tools available on Apple products, including iPhone, iPad, and Mac models. These tools leverage the processing power of Apple silicon chips, which come equipped with a neural engine, also known as a neural processing unit (NPU). The main focus of Apple Intelligence is on personalization and the deep integration of machine learning algorithms across apps.
Apple Intelligence allows users to use GenAI capabilities to generate images, text, and similar content within the confines of another app. Beyond that, it also uses other AI models to enhance operating system utilities such as focus mode, advanced photo search, image optimization, and more.
Apple Intelligence Requirements
Apple Intelligence is only compatible with the following Apple products:
iPhone 16
iPhone 16 Plus
iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPhone 16 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 15 Pro
iPad Pro (M1 and later)
iPad Air (M1 and later)
iPad mini (A17 Pro)
MacBook Air (M1 and later)
MacBook Pro (M1 and later)
iMac (M1 and later)
Mac mini (M1 and later)
Mac Studio (M1 Max and later)
Mac Pro (M2 Ultra)
As of this writing, Apple Intelligence only supports US English. The support for other variants of English and additional languages will be available in the next few months according to Apple.
How to enable Apple Intelligence on Mac
To activate Apple Intelligence on your Mac, you’ll first need to update it to macOS Sequoia 15.1. Once updated, you’ll need to open System Settings by clicking the Apple icon. Now, navigate to “Apple Intelligence & Siri” and click “Join the Apple Intelligence Waiting List.” This may take anywhere between 5 minutes to a day. Once your device is ready, you’ll see the option “Turn on Apple Intelligence” in the same place.
How to enable Apple Intelligence on iPad
First, update your compatible iPad to iPadOS 18.1 and clear up device storage of 4GB or more to get it ready for AI acceleration. Once the latest OS update is installed, go to Settings and tap “Apple Intelligence & Siri,” then click “Join the Apple Intelligence Waitlist.”
You will be notified when your device is ready for Apple Intelligence, or you can manually check in a few minutes. When ready, the “join waitlist” option will be replaced by “Turn on Apple Intelligence,” click on that and enjoy the new AI features.
How to enable Apple Intelligence on iPhone
Install iOS 18.1 to get Apple Intelligence on your iPhone. After updating your phone, open settings and look for the new shiny “Apple Intelligence & Siri” option and tap on it. Now, click “Join the Apple Intelligence Waitlist” and wait until you are notified. Apple Intelligence is usually ready to activate within 10 minutes, but in some cases, it may take longer.
After receiving the notification, click “Turn on Apple Intelligence” under the new settings option. You can navigate to the same route to turn off AI features.
Apple Intelligence boosts productivity
Apple Intelligence uses personal context to deliver you results that are relevant to what you are working on. Not only does this boost efficiency but also helps you get more work done in less time.
Whether you are looking for the best gaming affiliate programs or creating an elaborate marketing plan, the revamped Siri and newly integrated AI tools will get you the needed information in a jiffy. You can summarize entire emails and notifications and even customize focus mode with Apple Intelligence to work without interruptions. Once you activate Apple Intelligence, you can proofread your writing with just a simple right-click, boost your research speed, and manage workflow seamlessly.
Key Features
Writing Tools: Apple’s AI writing tools can be accessed in any app such as Notes, Pages, Mail, and also third-party apps. To use this, select your text, right-click, and tap ”Writing Tools” to view options to summarize, proofread, rewrite, and more.
Email Summaries: Once you have enabled email summaries, you’ll see the option to summarize any email once you open it and previews under every email are summarized automatically.
Smart Reply: Smart Reply lets you craft responses based on a given context which you can further refine using writing tools.
(It is advised to practice caution when using any AI writing tools as GenAI cannot understand emotions and can generate offensive outputs: refer to pros and cons for more details.)
Web Page Summaries: Deeply integrated in Safari, this feature lets you summarize an entire web page when you open the reader from the tab menu.
Improved Focus Mode: Apple Intelligence-powered focus mode lets you customize who is allowed to call and which notifications you want to ignore while you are working. You can select apps and people to silence or prioritize, so only important alerts are seen.
Final Words
Much of what Apple has promised in Apple Intelligence is still under development. The first set of AI features that have rolled out are rather mediocre. While they do get the work done in some cases and show the power of local processing, they still lack the sophistication that Apple users expect. We won’t get more advanced Apple Intelligence features until 2025, but this is a good start.
