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How to sign up for Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18.1

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Apple Intelligence on iPhone 15 Pro.
Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends

One of the biggest features in iOS 18 is Apple Intelligence. However, while the iPhone 16 line launched with iOS 18 out of the box, Apple Intelligence wasn’t ready quite yet. Now, the latest iOS 18.1 update finally brings those AI goodies to your compatible iPhone.

Of course, you may have updated and tried to use those Apple Intelligence features, but can’t seem to get them to work. That’s because you have to sign up for them before they’re available to you.

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Difficulty

Easy

Duration

5 minutes

What You Need

  • A compatible iPhone

  • iOS 18.1 update

Here’s how to sign up for Apple Intelligence on your eligible iPhone. Remember, Apple Intelligence is only available on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the iPhone 16 lineup.

Apple Intelligence & Siri screen on an iPhone 16 Pro
Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends

How to join the waitlist for Apple Intelligence on your iPhone

In order to get Apple Intelligence, you need to make sure you update your iPhone to iOS 18.1. Then do the following:

Step 1: Launch Settings on your iPhone.

Step 2: Select Apple Intelligence & Siri.

Open Settings, select Apple Intelligence & Siri.
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Step 3: Select Join the Apple Intelligence waitlist.

Step 4: Select Join waitlist.

Select Join Apple Intelligence Waitlist, then Join Waitlist.
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Step 5: Once you are on the waitlist, you will receive a notification once it’s ready.

Apple Intelligence Summaries on an iPhone 16 Pro
Notification Summaries in Apple Intelligence on the iPhone 16 series Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends

How to turn on Apple Intelligence

Once you are off the waitlist, you still have to manually turn Apple Intelligence on.

Step 1: Launch Settings on your iPhone.

Step 2: Select Apple Intelligence & Siri.

Step 3: Select Turn on Apple Intelligence.

Step 4: Select Continue.

Step 5: Select Summarize all notification previews if you want, or Not now if you don’t.

Step 6: Select Continue on the Siri screen.

Select Continue, select Summarize All Notifications or Not Now, select Continue.
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Step 7: Select Continue again.

Step 8: Select Continue on the Type to Siri screen.

Step 9: Make sure the toggle for Apple Intelligence is set to On. If you change your mind, just turn it off.

Select Continue, select Continue, then make sure the Apple Intelligence toggle is ON. Change it to off if you don't want to use it.
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Christine Romero-Chan
Christine Romero-Chan
Former Staff Writer, Mobile
Christine Romero-Chan has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade. She graduated from California…
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