Over the weekend, it was revealed that Apple Intelligence, Apple’s branded generative AI features, will not be launching with iOS 18 as initially expected. Instead, it will debut with iOS 18.1. While the official rollout of Apple Intelligence is set for later this fall, these AI features aren’t entirely off-limits until then—you can try them out now, but there are significant caveats.
On Monday, Apple released the first developer beta for iOS 18.1. This beta version is designed for registered developers to test the new software with their apps and services to ensure there are no critical issues. Although access to developer betas used to cost $99 per year, Apple has since opened it up to anyone interested. This means you can install the iOS 18.1 developer beta on your iPhone, even if you’re not an official iOS developer.
Apple Intelligence Is Limited to Certain Devices
However, there are some restrictions: Apple Intelligence is only available on the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, or iPads with an M1 chip or newer. If you have an older iPhone or an iPad without the M-series chip, you won’t be able to access these AI features. Additionally, simply installing the iOS 18.1 beta won’t give you immediate access to Apple Intelligence. You’ll need to sign up for a waitlist to use the service first. The wait time can vary—some users were approved instantly, while others reported waiting around 30 minutes.
As expected, this early version of Apple Intelligence is still in the testing phase, meaning not all the features Apple showcased earlier this year are available yet. Features like Genmoji, Image Playground, and ChatGPT integration aren’t live at the moment. However, you can try out some key AI tools, such as Apple’s AI writing features, new AI enhancements in apps like Mail and Photos, and some AI upgrades to Siri.
Important Considerations Before Installing the Beta
It’s important to remember that iOS 18.1 is still in beta, which means it’s not fully polished and could contain bugs or other issues that might affect your device’s normal functioning. If you don’t have a spare Apple device for testing, be sure to back up your iPhone or iPad before installing the iOS 18.1 beta.
How to Install Apple Intelligence on Your iPhone
If you have a compatible iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, then navigate to General > Software Update. Wait for the page to load, then select Beta Updates. Choose iOS 18 Developer Beta, then go back to the Software Update page. You should see an option to upgrade to iOS 18 under “ALSO AVAILABLE.” Tap this option, which will take you to the iOS 18.1 update screen. From here, select Update Now and follow the on-screen instructions to install the update.
After updating to iOS 18.1, go back to Settings. You should now see an Apple Intelligence option. Tap on it, select Join the Apple Intelligence Waitlist, then confirm by tapping Join Waitlist in the pop-up.
