The wait for Apple Intelligence is over. iOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1 and iPadOS 18.1 can all be installed now, and they all include Apple’s AI-powered features.
“Apple Intelligence introduces a new era for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, delivering brand-new experiences and tools that will transform what our users can accomplish,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook in a press release Monday. “Apple Intelligence builds on years of innovation in AI and machine learning to put Apple’s generative models at the core of our devices, giving our users a personal intelligence system that is easy to use — all while protecting their privacy. Apple Intelligence is generative AI in a way that only Apple can deliver, and we’re incredibly excited about its ability to enrich our users’ lives.”
But that’s not everything coming out of Cupertino today. watchOS 11.1, tvOS 18.1 and visionOS 2.1 went out, too — alongside upgraded iMacs powered by Apple’s M4 chip.
Apple Intelligence launches at last in iOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1 and iPadOS 18.1
Apple Intelligence stole the show at Apple’s developer conference back in June, but the company didn’t release the suite of AI-powered enhancements with iOS 18, macOS Sequoia 15 or iPadOS 18 in September. Instead, the first phase of Apple Intelligence debuted Monday in upgrades for these operating systems. The first phase includes AI-powered Writing Tools, the picture Clean Up tool and much more.
“Apple Intelligence unlocks exciting new capabilities that make your iPhone, iPad, and Mac even more helpful and useful, from Writing Tools to help refine your writing, to summarized notifications that surface what’s most important, to the ability to search for almost anything in your photos and videos by simply describing it,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering. “And it’s all built on a foundation of privacy with on-device processing and Private Cloud Compute, a groundbreaking new approach that extends the privacy and security of iPhone into the cloud to protect users’ information. We are thrilled to bring the first set of Apple Intelligence features to users today, and this is just the beginning.”
Contained within a video unveiling the M4 iMac is a lengthy section demonstrating some of the capabilities of Apple Intelligence.
But there’s an important caveat: Not every Apple device can access the new AI features. The four new iPhone 16 models can, and the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, too. While that’s it for handsets, any Mac or iPad running an M-series chip supports Apple Intelligence.
Photo: Apple
But wait, there’s more
Those who don’t have a device that supports Apple Intelligence weren‘t left out in the cold by Monday’s operating system launches, however. Apple released a firmware update that turns AirPods Pro 2 into hearing aids Friday, and it’s usable now that iOS 18.1 launched.
Anyone not interested in Apple Intelligence should still be aware that the release note for iOS 18.1 says, “This release also includes enhancements to Camera Control, the ability to capture spatial photos, record phone calls, and other features, bug fixes, and security updates for your iPhone.”
Don’t miss the Cult of Mac guide to everything in iOS 18.1 to learn more.
watchOS 11.1, tvOS 18.1 and visionOS 2.1 are smaller updates with no AI capabilities but nevertheless are still worth installing.
How to install iOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1, iPadOS 18.1, watchOS 11.1, tvOS 18.1 and visionOS 2.1
iPhone and iPad users can install the new iOS and iPadOS versions directly by opening the Settings app and going to General > Software Update. Alternatively, you can update your devices by connecting them to a Mac (or to a PC running iTunes).
Anyone with a compatible Mac can download macOS 15.1 now. Go to Apple menu > About This Mac. Then click Software Update. Alternatively, you can install the new version from the App Store. (Note: At the time of this writing, Apple had not yet updated the version of macOS Sonoma in the App Store. But it should happen soon.)
The watchOS update can be installed directly onto an Apple Watch, as long as the wearable is connected to Wi-Fi. From the Settings app, just navigate to General > Software Update. Or you can install it from an iPhone by opening the Watch app and going to My Watch > General > Software Update.
To get the tvOS update, start by navigating to the Settings app on Apple TV. Then click through to System, then click on Software Updates, then click on Update Software.
And Vision Pro users might need the Cult of Mac guide on how to update visionOS.
Even more Apple Intelligence is on the way
This is only the first phase of Apple Intelligence. It’s scheduled to launch in multiple updates over the coming months and into 2025.
Developers can already test phase two. The initial betas for iOS 18.2, macOS Sequoia 15.2 and iPadOS 8.2 went out last Wednesday. The gave beta testers the first opportunity to test the Image Playground app, Genmoji, Visual Intelligence and more.
The next phase should arrive next March, when iOS 18.4 supposedly will bring the debut of a smarter Siri experience.
Source: Apple
