Apple Intelligence Now Available with iOS 18.1 Update: Offers Writing Tools, Enhanced Siri, Notification summaries, Focus Mode and More

Highlights

• iOS 18.1 is now rolling out.
• Select Apple device can update and get access to Apple Intelligence.
• iOS 18.1 introduces Writing Tools, Enhanced Siri, Summaries in Mail and Messages, new Focus modes and more.
• iOS 18.2 and future updates will include tools like Image Playground, ChatGPT integration and more.

After almost a year-long build-up and much hype, Apple Intelligence is now finally available to explore.

The public release of the iOS 18.1 update is rolling out now for wide users. With the update, Apple Intelligence will be available on all iPhone 16 models and iPhone 15 Pro, the new iPad mini or older Macs and M1 iPads or newer.

Apple CEO Tim Cook said, “Apple Intelligence introduces a new era for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, delivering brand-new experiences and tools that will transform what our users can accomplish. Apple Intelligence builds on years of innovation in AI and machine learning to put Apple’s generative models at the core of our devices, giving our users a personal intelligence system that is easy to use — all while protecting their privacy. Apple Intelligence is generative AI in a way that only Apple can deliver, and we’re incredibly excited about its ability to enrich our users’ lives.”

Let’s gather everything we know about the latest release and Apple Intelligence features.

iOS 18.1 and Apple Intelligence – Compatibility

So, is your iPhone compatible with iOS 18.1? Let’s find out.

iOS 18.1 is now rolling out with the build number 22B83. It is available for all iPhone models that already have iOS 18 updated.

However, Apple Intelligence features are only available to select devices, which include the following –

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

Apple Intelligence – Availability

Apple Intelligence currently only works in US English.

According to Apple, language support will be expanded to English from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK with iOS 18.2. Currently in beta, iOS 18.2 is expected to roll out sometime in coming December.

Apple Intelligence in future will also work in other languages such as Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese and more. As per Apple, additional language support will come later with a free software update.

“Apple Intelligence is quickly adding support for more languages. In December, Apple Intelligence will be available for localized English in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K., and in April, a software update will deliver expanded language support, with more coming throughout the year. Chinese, English (India), English (Singapore), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, and other languages will be supported,” Apple mentions in a Press Note.

Moreover, Apple Intelligence features are currently not available for users located in the European Union. This is because of the concerns attached to the EU’s Digital Markets Act antitrust legislation.

However, Apple’s European website has now confirmed that Apple Intelligence features will be available in the EU by April 2025.

How to Enable Apple Intelligence Features?

Once you have downloaded the iOS update, you will have to enable opt-in to Apple Intelligence in order to be able to access the new Apple Intelligence features.

To enable Apple Intelligence, go to Settings -> Apple Intelligence & Siri and toggle on Apple Intelligence to enable.

However, this won’t get Apple Intelligence features immediately on your Apple devices. Users first will have to join the Apple Intelligence Waiting List.

As per reports, it can take somewhere between a few hours to a few days to get accepted into the beta.

Once accepted, users will receive a notification that their device is now ready for Apple Intelligence.

Next, AI models will be downloaded on your device, occupying approximately 4 GB of storage.

iOS 18.1 Apple Intelligence Features – What’s New?

Writing Tools

• Available in almost any app where you can select text.
• Allows you to transform text with AI:

The following options are available once you select text –

• Rewrite
• Proofread
• Make Friendly
• Make Professional
• Make Concise
• Summarise
• Create Key Points
• Make List
• Make Table

How To Use: select text and tap on Writing Tools to open options.

Notification Summaries

• Groups of notifications can be summarised automatically, so you don’t need to open each one.
• Useful for keeping up with busy group chats or multiple app notifications.

How to Enable or Customise: Go to Settings -> Notifications -> Summarize Previews.

Siri Enhancements

• Siri’s appearance has an edge-lit design.
• Now you can double-tap the home indicator to type your requests.
• Siri’s voice sounds more natural and it can better understand if you stumble over words.
• Now offers Apple product help, surfacing tips and answers from Apple’s knowledge base.

New Photos Features

• Enhanced Search: Find photos by describing their content in natural language.
• Clean Up Tool: Easily remove objects or people from photos by dragging over them.
• Memory Movie Creation: Create short, emotional movies from your photos using a simple text prompt.

Reduce Interruptions Focus Mode

• A new Focus mode that filters notifications to show only important ones.
• Use Intelligent Breakthrough & Silencing for smart notification control across all Focus modes.
• Notes and Phone apps can now record, transcribe and summarize audio.

Smart Reply & Summaries in Mail & Messages

• Mail and Messages now summarise unread messages, helping you preview content without opening each message.
• In Mail, you can summarise entire email threads with one tap.
• New Smart Reply options let you quickly respond with AI-generated responses that match the conversation.

More AI Features Coming Soon With Future Updates

While a host of Apple Intelligence features are now available with iOS 18.1, Apple has a lot more planned for Apple Intelligence with future updates.

As of now, we know that the next iOS 18.2 update scheduled for December 2024 will bring another set of new tools like Image Playground, Genmoji, ChatGPT integration and Visual Intelligence.

Meanwhile, Notifications Priority on the lock screen and context-aware Siri can be expected to arrive on your Apple devices with 2025 updates.

FAQs

Q1. What are the new Writing Tools in iOS 18.1?

Answer. Writing Tools let you proofread, rewrite, summarize, list key points, and make tables from text in most apps where you can select text.

Q2. How do Notification Summaries work with iOS 18.1?

Answer. Notifications from an app can now be grouped and summarised automatically, so you don’t need to expand each one to see key details.

Q3. What improvements has Siri received in iOS 18.1?

Answer. Siri has a new edge-lit design, a more natural voice, and can now be typed by double-tapping the home indicator. Siri can also provide Apple product help using Apple’s knowledge base.

Also Read : No Serious Apple Intelligence Performance Until 2026 or 2027, Hints Analyst

Also Read : Apple to Expand Language Support for Apple Intelligence in 2025

Also Read : Apple Intelligence Features: What New Features Will Release with iOS 18.1?