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Get Apple Intelligence on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Vaseline October 28, 2024

Apple Intelligence is finally available on the best iPhones, the best iPads, and the best Macs. Apple’s AI brings exciting tools to your devices, like writing tools, cleaning, notification overviews, and a new, redesigned Siri.

Just updated the latest software, but can’t find Apple Intelligence? This guide shows you how to get Apple Intelligence working on a compatible device so you can start using the new era of AI-powered Apple software.

Here’s how to get Apple Intelligence on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Compatibility with Apple Intelligence

Apple Intelligence works with the latest iPhones, iPads and Macs. Before you try to enable Apple Intelligence, make sure you own one of the compatible devices below:

Quick steps

Make sure your device is updated to iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, or macOS Sequoia 15.1
Open Settings, select Apple Intelligence and Siri, enable Apple Intelligence
Wait until you are off the waiting list

How to Get Apple Intelligence

1. Update to the latest software

Update the iPhone for Apple Intelligence

(Image: © Future / Apple)

To get Apple Intelligence, you’ll first need to update to iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, or macOS Sequoia 15.1.

To do this, simply open on iPhone or iPad Settings, then General and tap Software Update. For Mac users: click the Apple logo in the menu bar, then System Settings, followed by Software Update.

If you need a more detailed explanation on how to update your devices, check out our guides on how to update a MacBook or how to update an iPhone.

Now that you’ve confirmed that your device is compatible with Apple Intelligence and has been updated to the latest software, it’s time to enable its AI features. The process is slightly different for iPhone and iPad than for Mac, so we’ll cover these separately.

It’s also worth noting that your device currently needs to be American English to use Apple Intelligence. If not, you can wait until your language is updated to take advantage of AI, or check out our guide on how to enable Apple Intelligence in the UK, which covers every country outside the EU or China.

2. How to Get Apple Intelligence on iPhone or iPad

How to Get Apple Intelligence iPhone

(Image: © Future / Apple)

Open Institutionsand then navigate to Apple Intelligence & Siri. From there, Turn on Apple Intelligence. You will be added to the waiting list and your iPhone or iPad will notify you when Apple Intelligence is ready to use. In our tests, this process only takes a few minutes.

3. How to Get Apple Intelligence on Mac

Apple Intelligence settings on a MacBook

Click System Institutionsand then navigate to Apple Intelligence & Siri. From there, click Turn on Apple Intelligence. You will be added to the waiting list and your Mac will appear with a notification when Apple Intelligence is ready.

Get started with Apple Intelligence

Apple Intelligence

(Image credit: Apple)

That’s all there is to it. You’ve now enabled Apple Intelligence and are ready to enter the world of AI tailored to Apple devices. These new features are Apple’s first foray into generative AI, so give them a try and see what you think.

Our guide to all the features of Apple Intelligence covers everything the new tools have to offer. If you want to know our thoughts on Apple Intelligence or perhaps are looking for a new iPhone to take advantage of AI, check out our iPhone 16 Pro review.