How to Use Apple Intelligence in iOS 18: Unleash AI Tools & Latest Features (2025 Guide)
Apple Intelligence, the AI-driven suite integrated into iOS 18, has transformed how iPhone users interact with their devices. From generating custom emojis to summarizing emails, this guide covers everything you need to know about leveraging Apple Intelligence in 2025—including the latest iOS 18.3 updates and upcoming features.
Table of contents
What You Need to Get Started
Apple Intelligence requires:
- Compatible Devices: iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max, iPhone 16 series, or iPads/Macs with A17 Pro/M1+ chips .
- iOS 18.1 or later: Ensure your device runs iOS 18.3 (released January 27, 2025), which enables Apple Intelligence by default.
- Language Settings: Set device and Siri to English (U.S., U.K., etc.). Expanded language support (Chinese, Spanish, etc.) arrives in April 2025.
- 7GB Storage: Free up space for on-device AI models.
Step-by-Step Setup Guide
Time needed: 1 minute
Getting started with Apple Intelligence in iOS 18 is straightforward—just follow these three essential steps.
- Update to iOS 18.3:
Go to Settings > General > Software Update to install the latest version, which auto-enables Apple Intelligence.
- Enable Apple Intelligence:
If not auto-activated, navigate to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri > Turn On Apple Intelligence.
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- Download AI Models:
Connect to Wi-Fi and power. Models for Image Playground, Genmoji, and Writing Tools will install automatically.
Key Apple Intelligence Features & How to Use Them
1. Writing Tools: Rewrite, Proofread, Summarize
- In-App Use: Highlight text in Mail, Notes, or Safari. Tap Writing Tools to access options like Proofread, Summarize, or Rewrite in a Formal Tone.
- ChatGPT Integration: Enable in Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri > ChatGPT for advanced text generation (e.g., drafting emails or party plans).
2. Image Playground & Genmoji
- AI Art Generation: Open the Image Playground app (white kitten icon). Enter prompts like “sci-fi cityscape” to create illustrations or animations.
- Genmoji: Tap the wand icon on the emoji keyboard. Describe an emoji (e.g., “panda wearing sunglasses”) to generate custom designs.
3. Smart Summaries
- Emails: Pull down an email in the Mail app to reveal the Summarize button. Adjust summary length in Settings > Mail > Preview.
- Webpages: In Safari, tap the sparkle icon next to the address bar for AI-generated summaries.
4. Siri Upgrades
- Contextual Awareness: Ask Siri follow-up questions (e.g., “What’s the weather tomorrow?” followed by “Will it rain during my hike?”) .
- Visual Intelligence (iPhone 16 only): Hold the Camera Control button to scan objects (e.g., foreign text or plants) for instant info .
iOS 18.3 Updates & Fixes
- Auto-Enabled AI: Apple Intelligence now activates by default post-update .
- News Summary Pause: AI summaries for news/entertainment apps are disabled due to inaccuracies (e.g., misreporting headlines) .
- Privacy Enhancements: Data processed locally; no cloud uploads .
Tips to Optimize Apple Intelligence
- Free Up Storage: Delete unused apps or media to ensure smooth AI model updates .
- Use ChatGPT Sparingly: Free users get limited queries; subscribe to ChatGPT Plus for unlimited access .
- Regional Workarounds: EU/China users can bypass restrictions by changing device language and region .
Upcoming Features in iOS 18.4 (April 2025)
- Siri Screen Awareness: Siri will analyze screen content (e.g., suggest calendar events from a photo) .
- Multilingual Support: Chinese, Spanish, and 10+ languages added .
- Enhanced Privacy: On-device processing for voice and image data .
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Missing Features? Ensure your device is compatible and updated to iOS 18.3.
- Inaccurate Summaries: Disable notification summaries in Settings > Notifications.
- Slow Performance: Keep your iPhone charging during AI model downloads.
FAQ
Yes! Core features like Writing Tools and Genmoji operate offline using on-device processing.
No—it’s exclusive to Apple devices with iOS 18.1+.
ChatGPT interactions are anonymized; Apple doesn’t store queries.
Source: How to get Apple Intelligence
