Apple is set to launch its new iOS 18.1 that will include the long-awaited AI feature and several security fixes for iPhones running on the previous version.
CEO Tim Cook has touted Apple Intelligence as ‘a new chapter of innovation,’ focusing on ‘generative’ AI models that enable users to create text or images from prompts.
The system will have the ability to create ‘Genmojis,’ new emoji characters based on text prompts in iMessage, edit photos and include a revamped Siri with better conversational skills.
The new iOS 18 system is set to hit smartphones at 1pm ET, but only the iPhone 16 family and high-end 15 devices support Apple Intelligence.
There is also a waitlist for the AI feature and users can claim their spot after downloading the update.
‘Apple Intelligence is currently estimated to be available for activation within a few hours of joining the waitlist, though wait times may vary,’ according to Apple.
The new iOS 18.1 is said to include fixes for vulnerabilities and bugs for issues like unexpectedly restarting or a problem with Podcasts that shows unplayed episodes as already played.
To install iOS 18.1, open the Settings app. Then navigate to General, and tap Software Update.
Apple’s iOS 18.1 update launched today, and some iPhone users will get their first taste of the new Apple Intelligence features
Your phone will take a couple seconds to search for new updates, and if the update is available, you should see it displayed on your screen.
Then, tap Install Now. If you see Download and Install instead, tap it to download the update, enter your passcode, then tap Install Now.
Once iOS 18 is installed, you’ll need to join the Apple Intelligence waitlist.
To do that, go to Settings, tap Apple Intelligence & Siri, then tap Join the Apple Intelligence Waitlist.
You will get a notification when Apple Intelligence is ready to be activated on your iPhone. Once activated, the AI features will begin to download.
Those include intelligent writing tools that can help you proofread, rewrite and summarize text anywhere that you can write words, such as Mail, Notes, Messages and other apps.
The proofreading function suggests better words to use and corrects grammatical errors.
With rewriting abilities, you can make your text sound more friendly, concise or professional.
After installing iOS 18.1, people with an iPhone 16, 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max can get on the waitlist for Apple Intelligence
And summarizing allows Apple Intelligence to read your text and produce a brief summary of the main points.
The Photos app will also receive a new Clean Up feature that allows you to quickly erase any unwanted object from a photo.
For example, if a person walks into the background of your selfie, you can remove the photobomb just by tapping on them.
The update says good bye to mindless searching in the Photo app by letting users input key words to find specific images, such as ‘Mom in front of the Eiffel Tower.’
You can also create a custom Memory movie in Photos with Apple Intelligence.
To do that, just enter a description and the AI will find the best photos and videos to match, then arrange them into a Movie with its own narrative arc.
The launch version of Apple Intelligence will also come with productivity features. The AI can summarize notifications from multiple apps, including Messages, Mail and more. It will also prioritize notifications that need your immediate attention.
The new Reduce Interruptions Focus feature allows your iPhone to intelligently inform you of important notifications and mute unimportant ones.
And the Mail app will get a priority messages feature that sorts important emails at the top of your inbox.
Siri will get a whole swath of upgrades. In addition to the flashy new interface, the digital assistant will be equipped with a new level of intelligence and capabilities to help it perform tasks for you.
The bot will have new product knowledge that allows it to answer questions about your device’s features and settings. You can even ask for help while learning to do something new on your iPhone, and Siri will provide instructions.
It will also be easier to communicate with Siri thanks to a more natural voice and the ability to type requests to the bot instead of relying only on voice activation.
Siri will also be able to remember requests you’ve made in the past, and use them to inform responses to new requests.
These are just a handful of the full suite of Apple Intelligence features that will eventually be coming to iPhones.
Most of the features that have made headlines since Apple first announced the AI in June are still months in the making – with some slated to roll out in 2025.