Apple has just dropped iOS 18.1 for iPhone, iPadOS 18.1 for iPad and macOS Sequoia 15.1, introducing its first set of Apple Intelligence features for those with an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, or iPad and Mac with M1 or later.
For Canadians, Apple Intelligence is only available when you change settings to US English. Official support for Canada English is coming in December. So how to get started? Change both the “Apple Intelligence & Siri” settings and the system language (Settings > Language & Region) to U.S. English. You’ll need to join the Apple Intelligence waitlist.
iOS 18.1 is version 22B83, which is different from iOS 18.1 Release Candidate, version 22B82.
Here are the release notes for iOS 18.1:
Apple Intelligence (All iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max)
Writing Tools
- Available nearly everywhere you type
- Features:
- Rewrite: Offers different text versions to improve flow and wording
- Proofread: Suggests grammar and language improvements
- Summarize: Generates summaries of selected text
Siri
- New visual design with a glowing light that wraps around the screen edge
- Lets you keep scrolling or typing while talking
- Type to Siri: Double tap the bottom of the screen to type instead of speaking
- Richer language understanding: Handles pauses or mid-sentence changes
- Conversational context: Follows the flow of your conversation over a session
- Product knowledge: Answers questions about Apple product features and settings
- Voice enhancements: Makes Siri sound more natural and expressive
Photos
- Photos search: Find photos and videos by describing them
- Clean Up: Removes distractions from photos
- Memory movies: Create stories by describing the narrative you want
Notifications
- Notification summaries: Provides important information at a glance
- Reduce Interruptions: A new Focus mode allowing urgent notifications only
- Smart Reply: Suggests quick responses in Mail and Messages
- Priority messages in Mail: Highlights messages requiring attention
- Transcription summaries in Notes: Creates summaries from audio or call recordings
Phone
- Call recordings and transcriptions: Record calls with transcription in Notes, with an automatic announcement
Camera
- Camera Control: Quick switch to front TrueDepth Camera on iPhone 16 models
- Spatial photo and video capture: New Spatial camera mode on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max
AirPods
- Hearing Test: Provides scientifically-validated hearing results at home (for users 18+)
- Hearing Aid: Offers personalized sound adjustments for mild to moderate hearing loss (for users 18+)
- Hearing Protection: Minimizes loud noise exposure in listening modes (available in the U.S. and Canada)
- Requires AirPods Pro 2 with firmware version 7b19 or later
Other Features and Bug Fixes
- Control Center: New options to add individual connectivity controls and reset configuration
- RCS Business Messaging: Connect with businesses over RCS (requires carrier support)
- App Store search: Use natural language to search more effectively
- Game Center invites: Send friend invites from Contacts, with suggestions and inbox notifications
- Podcast issue fix: Resolves unplayed episodes being marked as played
- Video playback fix: Fix stuttering in 4K 60 FPS video playback when the device is warm
- Car key issue fix: Addresses digital car key failures after restoring from backup or transferring devices
- Unexpected restart fix: Fix random restarts on iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models
changed the language under Settings – Apple Intelligence & Siri to US English and I had to join the waitlist. So… we might really have to wait until December?
Mine took about 30 minutes
Same (keeping in mind that you have to change both the "Apple Intelligence & Siri" language and the system language [found under Settings > Language & Region] to US English). You don't have to change the Region to US, just make US English your top 'preferred language'.
I changed my Siri language to US English, but forgot to change my system language before I tapped to “join the wait list”. I have since updated my system language. Any idea if this will be an issue? How were you notified that you were “off” the wait list and the feature was active?
For me I didn't get a notification, but on the Apple Intelligence page where you can join the waiting list it switched to "Preparing" and noted the percentage completed. If it's done that, you're probably good.
Thanks! Quick update… I just received a pop-up notification on my phone that said Apple Intelligence is ready. I’ve tested it, and it seems to be working. But I would suggest to others reading this that they switch both settings to US English before they join the wait list just to be on the safe side. Thanks again!