Next month, eligible iPhone users will have the opportunity to experience the full beta version of Apple Intelligence as part of the upcoming iOS 18.1 update. However, this exciting new feature will not be available in the European Union or China for the time being, meaning users in these regions will have to wait longer to access this highly anticipated AI technology.
Which Devices Support Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence is compatible with a limited number of devices. Specifically, it works only on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and all new models (iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max) due to their advanced neural processing unit (NPU) and memory requirements. Users must ensure their devices are updated to iOS 18.1, have at least 4GB of available storage, and have set both the device and Siri to supported languages. Currently, only American English is supported, with plans to add variants for other English-speaking regions in December and support for Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish in the following year.
Regional Restrictions and Workarounds
Even if iPhone and Siri language settings are correctly configured, users with an Apple ID set to an EU country, and those in the EU, will not have access to Apple Intelligence. However, the feature works outside of Europe. Some iOS 18 beta users in the EU have discovered ways to bypass these restrictions, such as changing their Apple ID region to the United States, though this can result in losing iTunes balance and canceling subscriptions. Additionally, switching regions means users will lose access to previously purchased apps in their original stores and will need to download them anew from the new App Store.
In China, the limitations are even stricter. Apple Intelligence cannot run on iPhones purchased in mainland China, even if they were bought elsewhere; as long as the device is in mainland China or the Apple ID is set to China, the feature remains inaccessible.
When Will EU Users Experience Apple Intelligence?
Eventually, iPhones in the EU will support Apple Intelligence, but delays in its rollout are primarily attributed to regulatory issues, particularly the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This legislation requires independent experts to regularly verify that Apple adequately protects user data privacy. According to Apple, when AI features operate server-side, data will be processed through its custom cloud servers, ensuring no user data or images are stored.
The deep integration required with other services may also contribute to delayed launches, as the DMA imposes strict competition and transparency standards that position Apple as a "gatekeeper." Furthermore, issues related to the fees Apple charges developers for core technologies may impact progress.
Currently, Apple is negotiating with EU regulatory bodies to determine the best implementation strategy and has temporarily delayed the release of features like iPhone mirroring and enhanced SharePlay due to similar regulatory challenges. Apple stated, “The interoperability requirements of the DMA may force us to compromise on product integrity, potentially impacting user privacy and data security.”
Features Offered by Apple Intelligence
In iOS 18.1, Apple Intelligence will include the following features, though users in the EU and China will not have access for now:
- Writing assistance tools
- Photo cleanup feature
- Photo memory video generation
- Natural language search
- Notification summaries
- Do Not Disturb mode
- Smart notifications and silencing in Focus mode
- Prioritized messages in email
- Smart replies in emails and texts
- Summary features in email and messages
- Enhanced Siri capabilities, including improved product knowledge, better request handling, a new interface, natural voice interactions, and updated typing and Siri interaction features.
Apple is still discussing the details with relevant agencies, and a formal launch date for Apple Intelligence has not been established.
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