Meta Blocks Apple Intelligence Features On Facebook, WhatsApp and More Of Its Apps On iOS

Highlights

• Meta disables Apple Intelligence features in its iOS apps.
• Tools like Writing Tools, Genmoji and keyboard stickers are unavailable on Facebook, WhatsApp and Threads.
• Meta may aim to promote its own Meta AI, which offers similar features like writing assistance and image generation.

Caption – Apple Intelligence tools Meta’s iOS apps. (Image credit – Apple)

Apple introduced Apple Intelligence with iOS 18, and it’s been available to users since the release of iOS 18.1 last October. While most apps automatically support Apple Intelligence features, developers can choose to disable them and it looks like Meta has done exactly that.

No Apple Intelligence in Meta’s iOS Apps

According to a report from Brazilian blog Sorcererhat Tech, Apple Intelligence features like Writing Tools that help users write, edit and proofread text aren’t available in Meta apps on iOS. This includes Facebook, WhatsApp and Threads.

iPhone and iPad users usually can tap on a text field to bring up Writing Tools, but that option is missing in Meta’s iOS apps.

Meta has also blocked the ability to use Genmoji, Apple’s AI-generated custom emojis. On top of that, keyboard stickers and Memoji can no longer be added to Instagram Stories, even though they were previously supported.

Meta hasn’t explained why it’s blocking these Apple Intelligence features, but the likely reason is to push users toward its own AI platform Meta AI. Meta AI is available across most of its apps and offers similar features, like writing help and image generation.

A report from The Wall Street Journal last year mentioned that Apple and Meta were in talks about bringing Meta’s AI model Llama to Apple Intelligence. 9to5Mac, in its report, revealed, “This integration would likely be similar to the deal Apple has struck with ChatGPT, which is currently the only third-party partner for Apple Intelligence. While Apple’s own on-device and cloud models power most Apple Intelligence functionality, the company is willing to help user requests about ‘world knowledge’ be transferred to a third party AI model.”

However, Apple since then has reportedly backed out of the deal due to concerns about Meta’s privacy policies. The two companies have also clashed before over App Store rules.

So for now, iOS users won’t be able to use Apple Intelligence in some of the most popular apps out there including Meta’s biggest platforms.

FAQs

Q1. Which Apple Intelligence features are blocked in Meta’s iOS apps?

Answer. Meta has disabled features like Writing Tools, Genmoji, keyboard stickers, and Memoji in apps such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Threads.

Q2. Why might Meta block Apple Intelligence features?

Answer. Meta is likely promoting its own AI platform, Meta AI, which offers similar functionalities like writing help and image generation.

Q3. What is the update of discussion between Meta and Apple on integrating Meta’s AI model Llama?

Answer. Discussions about integrating Meta’s AI model Llama with Apple Intelligence reportedly broke down due to privacy concerns and past disputes over App Store rules.

Also Read: Apple’s Foldable iPhone Could Come With a Compact Display

Also Read: Apple Intelligence Now Available With iOS 18.1 Update – Offers Writing Tools, Enhanced Siri, Notification Summaries, Focus Mode and More