Apple today is releasing the first betas of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 to developers, introducing an early version of Apple Intelligence features. These new betas will be tested alongside existing betas of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia 15.
Developers can choose to opt in to new betas using Apple Intelligence, or stay on the standard iOS 18/iPadOS 18/macOS Sequoia 15 beta track. An iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPad, or Mac with Apple silicon is required to use Apple Intelligence, and only eligible devices will receive updates.
After the update, Apple Intelligence can be turned on in the Settings app. There is an Apple Intelligence queue that developers must sign up for, but they should be granted access within a few hours.
Many Apple Intelligence features are available starting today, including Writing Tools, an updated Siri design, the option to switch between voice commands and typing to Siri, summaries of typed text and other content, new Mail categories and Smart Replies, Smart Replies in Messages, and more.
With Writing Tools, you can rewrite, check spelling and grammar, and summarize text in Messages, Notes, Mail, Pages, and other apps where you write. Summaries also work with text typed in Notes.
Siri’s updated design glows around the edges of the screen when Siri is activated, and tapping at the bottom of the screen lets you type to Siri instead of using voice commands. Siri has everything you need to know about Apple products and Apple’s support database, so you can ask for help, plus the personal assistant can maintain context between requests and better follow you if you stumble over your words or change your mind while talking.
The email app supports message summaries along with smart reply options, with smart reply also available for the Messages app. Focus mode is available to reduce interruptions to filter out unimportant notifications while showing you the ones you need right away, like a flight arrival.
Photos supports Memories, so you can create a slideshow using natural language requests, and there’s natural language for search. Search now includes videos, so you can get right to the video you’re looking for.
Features not available today include Image Playground, Genmoji, ChatGPT integration, the option to scan objects in Photos, Priority Notifications, and other Siri capabilities like the ability to do more in apps and Screen Awareness. New capabilities will roll out over time, with Apple making regular updates.
As of now, Apple Intelligence features are limited to developer betas, and it’s unclear if there will be a public beta for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1. Apple plans to release Apple Intelligence in beta later this fall, and since these features are in a separate beta from the launch versions of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia 15, Apple Intelligence won’t be available immediately when the new software updates first roll out in September.
When Apple Intelligence officially launches this fall, it will still be in beta. Developers planning to install new updates today should be aware that Apple Intelligence is still in the early stages of development.
