When it comes to technology, AI has been the word on everyone’s lips in 2024. Almost every new hardware launch or software update has included it in some shape or form.
However, as is often the case with new technologies, Apple has been slow to adopt artificial intelligence. At launch, none of the iPhones or iPads released in 2024 included any generative AI features.
That’s all changed now, with Apple Intelligence available to consumers in both the UK and the US. But what does that actually mean for your Apple devices, and are they even compatible with Apple Intelligence? Here’s everything you need to know.
What is Apple Intelligence?
‘Apple Intelligence’ is the general term Apple is using for its suite of AI features, which are being rolled out across iOS, iPadOS and macOS (but not watchOS).
Dozens of different features are included, loosely grouped into categories such as writing tools, image creation and photos and videos.
Examples include creating images and ‘Genmojis’ (personalised emojis based on specific prompts), removing background objects from photos or rewriting an email as a poem (or something more useful).
Apple
There’s also an upgraded version of Siri which directly integrates the ChatGPT chatbot and virtual assistant, thanks to an agreement with makers OpenAI. This appears to be a direct rival to Google’s Gemini Live.
When will Apple Intelligence be available?
Apple was initially vague about when Apple Intelligence would arrive, stating it was expected “this fall”, but in a limited release.
However, on 28 October 2024, the first Apple Intelligence features officially dropped with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1 on compatible devices (see below) in the US.
With the launch of iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.2 on 11 December 2024, that was expanded to include the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
Apple
In the official blog post announcing the news, Apple also confirmed that Apple Intelligence would be available in Chinese, English (India), English (Singapore), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese at some point in 2025, with the expanded rollout beginning in April.
Will my iPhone or iPad get Apple Intelligence?
Apple has strict hardware requirements that mean only recent devices will get access to Apple Intelligence.
Other than the iPhone 16 range, which is ‘built from the ground up for Apple Intelligence’, the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are compatible.
Chris Martin / Foundry
When it comes to the iPad, Apple Intelligence will be available on all iPad Air and iPad Pro models running the M1, M2 or M4 chips – that includes the 2024 iPad Air and iPad Pro. That means the latest regular iPad and iPad mini won’t get it.
The same applies to the Mac, with any Mac mini, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac Studio or Mac Pro that runs on Apple Silicon (rather than the Intel chips used previously) will be compatible.
However, even if your device isn’t compatible, lots more devices are still compatible with the regular versions of iOS 18 or iPadOS 18.