Starting next month, iPhone users with compatible models will be able to access Apple Intelligence (in beta) with the iOS 18.1 update. However, this exciting new feature won’t be available in the EU or China for the time being. You can learn more about Apple’s latest AI-powered features directly on their Apple Intelligence page.
Compatible Devices for Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence requires specific hardware capabilities, including advanced NPU performance and adequate RAM. As a result, only the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max from previous generations will support the feature, alongside all new models: iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max. If you want to learn more about the iPhone 16 series and its features, check out this iPhone 16 Pro article. Additionally, users will need to have iOS 18.1, at least 4GB of free storage, and must set their device language and Siri to a supported language.
At launch, only U.S. English will be supported, though Apple plans to add other English variants by December. In 2024, the company will expand the language options to include Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish.
Apple Intelligence Restrictions in the EU and China
Even with a supported device and language, Apple Intelligence will not function for users with their Apple ID region set to an EU country while physically located in the EU. However, if these users travel outside the EU, the feature will work.
Some EU users have reported a workaround: changing their Apple ID region to a supported country like the U.S. However, this method comes with significant drawbacks. It requires users to clear their iTunes store balance, cancel all Apple subscriptions, and provide a potentially fake address for billing purposes. Moreover, changing the region would mean losing access to apps purchased in the original regional App Store.
In China, the restrictions are even tighter. Apple Intelligence will not be available on iPhones purchased in mainland China, nor will it work if the device is physically located in the country or if the Apple ID is set to a Chinese region.
Why the Delay in the EU?
Apple intends to eventually release Apple Intelligence in the EU, but it is being cautious due to regulatory concerns, particularly the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The DMA requires tech companies designated as “gatekeepers” to follow stringent rules regarding consumer data privacy and fair competition. One of the main points of contention is ensuring that Apple’s handling of customer data, which often runs through its servers, complies with these rules. Apple has emphasized that any data processed off-device will remain secure and private, using Apple’s own servers and chips. You can read more about how the DMA is affecting Apple’s AI rollout in this CNBC article.
However, Apple’s deep integration between its AI services and other Apple products could pose a problem. The company’s insistence on charging developers a Core Technology Fee might also complicate compliance with EU rules.
Ongoing Discussions and Other Affected Features
Apple is reportedly in discussions with EU regulators about how best to introduce Apple Intelligence and other services impacted by the DMA. According to reports, iPhone Mirroring and certain enhancements to SharePlay have also been withheld from EU users for similar reasons. Apple argues that DMA’s interoperability requirements might force the company to compromise its product integrity, potentially risking user privacy and data security.
Features of Apple Intelligence
When Apple Intelligence is launched with iOS 18.1, it will bring a range of advanced features that won’t be available to users in the EU or China, including:
- Writing Tools
- Photo Clean Up
- Memory movie creation in Photos
- Natural language search in Photos
- Notification summaries
- Focus mode enhancements, such as reducing interruptions
- Intelligent Breakthrough & Silencing in Focus
- Priority messages in Mail
- Smart Reply in Mail and Messages
- Summaries in Mail and Messages
- Siri improvements like better product knowledge, more natural responses, a new interface, and more
For now, users in the EU and China will need to wait before they can experience these features firsthand. However, Apple is working toward a resolution that will eventually bring Apple Intelligence to these regions. Learn more about the features Apple Intelligence offers on Apple’s official site.
