Apple Releases iOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1 Featuring Apple Intelligence
The phased public rollout of Apple’s AI suite has officially begun.
Today, Apple released iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1, tvOS 18.1, visionOS 2.1, and watchOS 11.1. The updates for iPhone, iPad, and Mac introduce the first wave of AI-powered features branded as “Apple Intelligence.”
After updating, users with supported devices in eligible regions can join a waitlist to access Apple Intelligence features, which include writing tools, notification summaries, and the "reduce interruptions" focus mode.
Several apps gain new AI-driven capabilities. Photos now supports natural language search, the ability to create memories (short video sequences) from text prompts, and a tool for removing objects from photo backgrounds. Mail and Messages now offer summaries and smart replies, which generate contextual responses automatically.
Apple notes that additional Apple Intelligence features will roll out in a December update, including Genmoji, Image Playground, ChatGPT integration, visual intelligence, and more. Certain features, such as Siri’s on-screen awareness, are expected in later releases.
Apple Intelligence requires devices with an A17 Pro, A18, A18 Pro, or M1 chip or later, and there are some regional restrictions. While U.S. users can access Apple Intelligence features on all supported devices immediately, users in the EU will initially have access on macOS only, in U.S. English. Apple plans to expand availability to EU iPhone and iPad users in April.
Beyond Apple Intelligence, these updates also deliver new features for AirPods Pro (second generation and later), including Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, and Hearing Protection.
Apple Intelligence is a moving target, so things will keep changing and hopefully also improving. Meanwhile, here are Apple’s complete iOS 18.1 release notes:
iOS 18.1 Release Notes
Apple Intelligence (Available on all iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max)
Writing Tools
Writing Tools are available in nearly any app, allowing you to rewrite, proofread, and summarize text within the app.
Rewrite suggests alternative versions of your text, giving you options to fine-tune flow and wording.
Proofread highlights potential improvements, including grammar corrections and language refinements.
Summarize lets you select any text and generate a high-quality summary.
Siri
A new visual design includes a glowing light that wraps around the screen's edge, animating responsively as you speak, while allowing you to keep scrolling or typing.
Type to Siri lets you initiate a request without speaking by double-tapping at the bottom of the screen.
Enhanced language understanding helps Siri interpret requests, even if you pause or change your wording mid-sentence.
Conversational context is now retained throughout a session, allowing you to refer naturally to previous requests or Siri’s recent responses.
Product knowledge offers answers to thousands of questions about features and settings across your Apple devices.
Voice enhancements make Siri sound more natural, expressive, and clear.
Photos
Search lets you find photos and videos simply by describing what you’re looking for.
Clean Up allows you to remove unwanted distractions from your photos.
Memory Movies can be generated by describing the storyline you want to see.
Notifications
Notification Summaries provide an at-a-glance summary of the most important information in your notifications.
Reduce Interruptions is a new Focus mode that prioritizes urgent notifications while silencing potential distractions.
Smart Reply in Mail and Messages offers quick responses with suggested replies.
Priority Messages in Mail identifies messages requiring attention and displays them at the top of your inbox.
Transcription Summaries in Notes create an intelligent summary of transcripts from audio recordings or calls.