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Remember the first time you asked Siri to set a reminder or play your favorite song? It felt like magic, right? That's just the beginning of what's possible with Apple Intelligence. Over the years, the technology pioneer has tirelessly worked to weave artificial intelligence into its products, enhancing everything from photos to daily reminders. This guide dives into these Apple AI features, showing how they transform everyday experiences into something extraordinary.
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Apple Intelligence is Apple's AI system built into iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Vision Pro, and, through a paired iPhone, Apple Watch. Apple released its next generation on September 14, 2026, with iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27. It runs on Apple Foundation Models that Apple built with Google and its Gemini models, and it works on your device and on Private Cloud Compute.
Source: apple.com/apple-intelligence
If Apple Intelligence is missing, check that your device is on the supported list, that your OS is up to date, and that your device and Siri language are set to a supported language. Siri AI and the newest features also need iOS 27, iPadOS 27, or macOS 27. If Siri AI still doesn't appear, check your region (it isn't available on iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch in the EU or in China), your language (English at launch), and whether you've been given access during the beta. Features that use Apple's servers also have daily usage limits, so you may hit one.
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Apple released the next generation of Apple Intelligence on September 14, 2026, with iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27. Siri AI arrived the same day as a beta alongside new iOS and macOS updates. With each release, you can expect better Siri capabilities, smarter camera processing, and other AI improvements.
Wondering how to get Apple Intelligence features? Good news! For now, Apple Intelligence comes withthe iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 updates on supported devices. Apple Watch gets Apple Intelligence features when it's paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone. Just keep your device updated to enjoy the newest innovations.
Not all Apple devices will support Apple Intelligence, mainly due to the hardware requirements needed for these advanced functionalities. Devices equipped with A-series chips and Neural Engines are designed to handle these enhancements, such as AI-driven photography and real-time language processing.
So, let's see what makes a device compatible and how to ensure you're ready to experience all these features.
Compatible devices:
Operating system requirements:
Apple Intelligence works on supported devices running iOS 18.1 or later, iPadOS 18.1 or later, or macOS Sequoia 15.1 or later. Siri AI and Apple's newest Apple Intelligence features need the 27 releases:
To get the most out of Apple Intelligence on your devices, keeping them in top shape is key. Start by regularly checking for software updates to make sure you're running the latest macOS/iOS, which usually comes with performance tweaks and bug fixes. Also, keep an eye on your storage space. Having enough free space ensures your device can handle AI tasks seamlessly and stay fast and responsive.
I'm always curious about the latest updates from Apple, especially when it comes to their AI features. Let's take a look at what's new and exciting!
Siri AI
Siri AI is a rebuilt version of Siri that has a conversation with you instead of answering one command at a time. It can use context from your messages, emails, and photos, understand what's on your screen, and take actions across apps. A dedicated Siri app keeps your past conversations, and they sync across your Apple devices through iCloud. Siri AI is a beta and starts in English.
On-device and Private Cloud Compute
Apple Intelligence runs on Apple Foundation Models, which Apple built with Google and its Gemini models. Simple requests are handled on your device. Bigger ones go to Apple's Private Cloud Compute servers. Apple says your personal data isn't stored or made accessible to Apple when those servers handle a request.
Writing Tools and proofreading
You can ask Siri to draft text from scratch or change what you've written, almost anywhere you type. In Mail and Messages, Smart Reply can follow your usual tone and punctuation. Apple Intelligence also proofreads as you type across the system, including in most third-party apps.
Photos editing and Image Playground
Photos has new editing tools: Spatial Reframing adjusts the composition after you've taken the shot, Extend adds room around your subject, and Clean Up removes distractions. Image Playground can now create photorealistic images, and you can describe the changes you want.
Siri can answer questions about what it sees. On iPhone, Siri mode in the Camera app can read a poster and add the dates to your calendar. On iPad it works in screenshots, and on Mac you use a keyboard shortcut.
Apple Watch and the Health app
Apple Watch gets Apple Intelligence features through a paired iPhone. Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 add Audio Intelligence, with Sound Recognition, Live Rewind, and Siri Recap. Live Rewind and Siri Recap arrive in beta later in 2026. The redesigned Health app, with an Insights tab, also arrives later this year.
Apple Intelligence offers both developers and users a rich set of AI tools to enhance app functionality and user experience.
Developer tools and frameworks:
User-facing tools and applications:
Read also:
Apple Intelligence works on supported devices, so you don't need the newest iOS to use it. Check that your iPhone or iPad is on the supported list, update to iOS 18.1 or iPadOS 18.1 or later, and set your device and Siri to a supported language. Then turn it on in Settings, under Apple Intelligence & Siri. The on-device models download after you turn it on.
Siri AI and the newest features are separate. To use them, update to iOS 27 or iPadOS 27. Siri AI is a beta that starts in English, with French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish added in October. Some outlets report a short waitlist for access.
On a Mac with an M1 chip or later, Apple Intelligence works on macOS Sequoia 15.1 or later, so you don't need macOS 27. Make sure your system language is a supported one, then turn it on in System Settings under Apple Intelligence. You can also open Spotlight (Command + Space) and type Apple Intelligence. To use Siri AI, update to macOS 27 Golden Gate.
How to use Apple Intelligence features?
Siri
As you already know, Siri has taken Apple Intelligence, making interactions feel more natural and intuitive. With Siri AI in iOS 27, it's now a full conversational assistant. You can ask Siri complex questions, and it cleverly handles them — even if you stumble over your words. It remembers previous conversations, so if you set an event for a hike at "that place you mentioned," it'll know exactly where you mean. You can turn almost any answer into a longer conversation with follow-up questions, and Siri AI can search your messages, emails, and photos, answer questions about what's on your screen, and take actions across your apps. A new Siri app keeps your past conversations and syncs them across your Apple devices through iCloud. Siri AI is still in beta, and it starts in English. On iPhone, open Siri with the side button or by swiping down from the Dynamic Island. On iPad and Mac, Siri AI is built into Spotlight. Requests that use Apple's servers have daily usage limits. Plus, if you'd rather not speak, you can type your requests with a quick double tap. Priority Notifications also help by showing the most important alerts at the top, keeping you focused.
Writing Tools
For anyone drafting emails, Writing Tools embedded with AI can adjust your tone to be more friendly or professional, depending on what you need. With Siri AI, you can also describe what you want and have Siri write a first draft almost anywhere you type, then ask it to change the result. In Mail and Messages, Smart Reply can match the tone and punctuation you usually use with each person. The Proofread feature tidies up your grammar and word choice automatically as you type, including in most third-party apps. You can also summarize emails with a TL;DR to keep it concise and clear.
AI-powered image features
Get creative with Genmoji — just type in a fun idea like "a dinosaur on a skateboard," and you'll get a customized emoji. Image Playground takes your descriptions and styles them into unique visuals, whether you want a sketch, an animation, or now a photorealistic image, and you can simply describe any change you want to make. Siri AI can also create images from a description. If you scribble a quick sketch with Apple Pencil, Image Wand will polish it up into a completed illustration. Apple also plans to add SynthID support in a software update later this year, so you can identify images made or edited with Apple Intelligence tools.
Photos and Memory Movies
In the Photos app, you're now the star of your own Memory Movies. Just ask for a montage about a specific event, like teaching your dog a new trick, and watch it transform your clips into a captivating video complete with music and scene cuts. Photos also has stronger editing tools in iOS 27. Spatial Reframing improves a photo's composition by changing the camera perspective after you've taken it, Extend adds room around your subject, and Clean Up removes distractions with more realistic fill. Some of these editing tools use server-based models, so daily usage limits apply.
Safari can now sort your open tabs into topics. With Notify Me, it alerts you when a product is back in stock or a price drops. You can also describe a custom extension and let Safari build it.
When you call a business, Call Context can show details like a confirmation code or reservation number. In Calendar, you can add or change an event just by describing it.
Shortcuts is easier to start with now. Describe the automation you want, and it builds the shortcut for you.
Chat with your own PDFs and notes when Apple tools cannot summarize them. Use Elephas and other AI apps from Setapp’s curated catalog. Cancel anytime. Access AI tools.
I can't wait for Apple Intelligence to fully roll out, but Siri AI isn't available on iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch in the EU yet, and none of the new features are available in China. Older devices can't run Apple Intelligence either. If you're unable to use Apple Intelligence due to these restrictions, don't worry. There are plenty of AI apps that can step in to fill the gap. Setapp, for instance, offers a vast collection of over 300 apps, including many AI tools, to help boost productivity, enhance creativity, and streamline your workflow. The best part? Setapp has an AI assistant to help you instantly find an app for your task. Try every app at no cost for seven days and find your new favorites!
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iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and all iPhone 16 models or later support it, as do iPads and Macs with M1 or later.
Yes. Apple Intelligence is available in the EU in supported languages. Siri AI isn't on iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch there yet, but it works on Mac and Apple Vision Pro. Apple says it's working on a path forward, so check its announcements for changes.
Yes, Apple Intelligence is included in regular software updates for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watches, so there's no extra cost to access these features. Some server-based features, like Siri AI and Image Playground, have daily usage limits, and Apple says expanded access will be offered for a fee in the future.
iOS 27 supports iPhone 11 and later, but Apple Intelligence needs iPhone 15 Pro or newer.
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