Apple Intelligence is getting closer to being ready for primetime. Apple has released the public beta of iOS 18.1, which includes some of the key generative AI features the company has been talking about for the past few months.
We’ll have to wait a few more weeks for the public versions of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 18.1 to get Apple Intelligence features to everyone with a compatible device. The public beta should be more stable and less risky to install than the developer beta, but it’s definitely worth backing up your data to your computer and/or iCloud before putting this build of iOS 18.1 on your iPhone.
Right now, the only devices that support Apple Intelligence are the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, but that will change on Friday when Apple ships the iPhone 16 lineup. The M-series iPad and Mac will also support Apple Intelligence.
For now, you’ll need to have your device and Siri language set to US English to access Apple Intelligence tools. If you want to use Apple Intelligence in a language other than English (or in a localized version of English), you may have to wait until at least December for public versions of operating systems that support it.
Apple is releasing Apple Intelligence tools gradually over the coming months, so not all of them will be available right away. The initial wave of features includes the ability to transcribe phone calls (and audio notes in the Notes app) and get a summary of key details.
Writing tools (rewriting, proofreading and summarizing), email priority and smart replies, notification summary and photo clean up features are also on the dock. You’ll be able to create memories in the new Photos app and see the first incarnation of the redesigned, brighter Siri (including the ability to type requests to the assistant).
You’ll have to wait longer for some other features, including ChatGPT integration, Genmoji, Image Playgrounds (i.e. image generation), and Siri’s ability to better understand personal context. Apple will roll these out in the coming months.
How to get the new Apple Intelligence features
On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Update and select the iOS 18 Public Beta option. Once the iOS 18.1 public beta is available for your device, you’ll be able to see it on the Software Update page. You may need to free up some space before you can install the beta. To enable Apple Intelligence, go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri > Join the Apple Intelligence waitlist.
The public beta installation process on an iPad is almost identical. On your Mac, you’ll need to go to System Settings > General > Software Update. Click the info icon next to the “Beta Update” option and when it’s available, you should be able to install the iOS 18.1 public beta from there.