How to Use Apple Intelligence on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

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Artificial intelligence has fastly become a central part of our digital lives and Apple has entered the AI race in its own unique way. Unlike meetings that focus mainly on cloud-based generative AI Apple designed its solution with privacy, device amalgamation and personal context in mind. Apple Intelligence isn’t just another talkbot, it’s a system built directly into iPhones, iPads and Macs that hyperbolise everyday delight. From smarter writing tools to an elevated Siri, Apple Intelligence is set to change how millions of users interact with their devices.

What is Apple Intelligence?

Apple Intelligence is Apple’s suite of AI-powered tools integrated into iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS. It is designed to help users write better, boss apps all while protecting user privacy.Key features include:

Writing tools rewrite, summarize and study text in Mail, Notes, or third-party apps.
Image Playground & Genmoji create custom images or emojis on the fly.
Photo editing removing objects improves clarity or generates variations.
Siri upgrade (in progress) more context-aware, able to perform complex tasks across apps.
Live translation translates conversations in real time.
Visual intelligence understands what’s on the screen and acts on it.

Apple Intelligence stands out because it uses on-device processing whenever possible, only reaching out to Apple’s Private Cloud Compute when more power is required.

When Was Apple Intelligence Unveiled?

Apple Intelligence was unveiled on June 10, 2024, at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference .This announcement marked Apple’s formal entry into generative AI, joining Google, Microsoft and OpenAI in shaping how users interact with technology. At WWDC, Apple showcased how its AI could be deeply incorporated into core apps like Messages, Mail and Photos, and how Siri would eventually progress into a much smarter assistant. The bring to light highlighted Apple’s commitment to privacy-first AI, a key differentiator from challengers.

Public representation began later in October 2024 with iOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia updates. Since then, new features have continued to expand across supported devices and sectors with additional updates arranged throughout 2025 and 2026.

Who Gets Apple Intelligence?

Apple Intelligence is not available to every Apple device. Because AI features demand high processing power, Apple limited access to its latest hardware.Apple Intelligence is available only on select Apple devices due to its high processing requirements. Supported devices include the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 series and newer models, iPads powered by the M1 chip or later, and Macs with Apple Silicon. It also runs on the Apple Vision Pro through visionOS updates. In terms of language and regional support, Apple Intelligence initially inaugurated with English and later expanded to English along with German, French, Italian,castellano, Portuguese (Brazil), Japanese, Korean and Simplified Chinese. Apple has confirmed that more languages will be added throughout 2025–26. However, this staged disclosure means that not all users worldwide can access Apple Intelligence just yet, though availability will continue to grow slowly.

How Does Apple’s AI Work Without an Internet Connection?

One of the biggest advantages of Apple Intelligence is that it doesn’t always require an internet connection. Thanks to on-device processing, Apple designed its models to run directly on devices equipped with the A17 Pro or M-series chips, allowing tasks such as rewriting text, summarizing emails, or generating Genmojis to be completed offline. For more demanding requests—like generating detailed images or handling complex personal queries—Apple uses Private Cloud Compute, where data is securely processed in the cloud but never stored, ensuring it is only used for the immediate task. To further strengthen privacy protection, Apple’s cloud servers can be independently verified by security experts. This crossbreed approach offers the best of both worlds: the speed and privacy of on-device processing combined with the flexibility of cloud support when additional computing power is required.

Apple Intelligence with Third-Party Apps

Apple Intelligence isn’t just for Apple apps—it’s designed to extend into the wider app ecosystem.Examples include:Streaks – automatically organizing tasks using Apple Intelligence.
CARROT Weather – providing conversational AI summaries of forecasts. Detail Video Editor turning text prompts into video scripts.Through Shortcuts integration, users can also create custom workflows. For example, you could design an automation that:This tight amalgamation means third-party apps can become much more powerful without developers needing to build their own AI from scratch.

Can Developers Build on Apple’s AI Models?

Yes. Apple has made it possible for developers to build on its AI foundation models.

Foundation Models Access: Apple provides APIs that let developers tap into its on-device models for free.
Custom Integrations: Developers can use Apple Intelligence for text rewriting, summarization, and context understanding directly within their apps.
Privacy by design: Apps automatically benefit from Apple’s on-device and Private Cloud Compute model without developers needing to manage sensitive data.

This opens opportunities for app makers to innovate while still corresponding with Apple’s ecosystem standards. Over time, Apple is expected to spread developer tools further, allowing even richer AI-powered applications.

When Is Siri Getting Its Next Overhaul?

Siri has long been Apple’s most recognizable AI assistant and with Apple Intelligence, it is set to undergo its most important transformation yet. In WWDC 2024, Apple introduced a smarter Siri, which can comprehend personal information like files, emails and calendar events and provide on-screen awareness, by engaging with whatever is being shown, and taking multi-step actions between apps. Much of this revamp has however been postponed with the full upgrade being now expected in the Spring of 2026, presumably accompanied by the issuance of iOS 26.4. After its release, Siri will cease being an elementary voice assistant and evolve into a full-fledged AI companion with the ability to process complex dialogues and processes.

How to Use Apple Intelligence?

In case you have a compatible device, it is easy to start using Apple Intelligence.. After that, access the settings Apple Intelligence and Siri and enable the option. You can start with its features there: experiment with new writing tools in the Mail or Notes app highlighting the text and selecting Rewrite, Summarize or Proofread change Image Playground to create custom images or create GenMoji in Messages or compatible apps; and translate things in real time when conversing in Messages or FaceTime. Photos app has a clean up option that allows you to remove undesirable objects or produce other variations.For fertility, experiment with Shortcuts to build custom mechanizations that combine Apple Intelligence with other apps. And finally keep an eye on Siri, which is set for major updates in 2026 that will spread its functionality even further.

Conclusion

Apple Intelligence represents Apple’s careful but powerful entry into the artificial intelligence era. By combining on-device intelligence with cloud support, it impinges balance between power and privacy. Although it is currently limited to newer devices and select languages, its fastly from smarter writing tools to image generation and real-time translations deform how users interact with technology.

The coming redesign of Siri will likely be the defining moment when Apple Intelligence fully matures, turning Siri into a true personal AI assistant. For developers and users alike, Apple’s ecosystem is opening the door to more intelligent, context-aware and user-friendly experiences.