Apple’s groundbreaking new feature is slated to launch next week, but iPhone users hoping to access the full suite of new AI features will have to get in line.
Due to potentially high demand, people will need to join a waitlist before they can install Apple Intelligence that will be available when iOS 18.1 hits smartphones on October 28.
But tech experts have found a beta version of the software was made available on Monday, which opens the queue earlier.
The tech giant usually releases a beta of its upcoming iOS updates to let developers spot bugs before the final version rolls out.
Users can see if they can download iOS 18.1 RC beta in Settings, which will then create a new option for Apple Intelligence & Siri where they can claim their spot.
The AI-powered product was unveiled in September, revealing a suite of new features for sorting for messages, generative writing and creating unique emojis.
But only those with the high-end iPhone 15 smartphones and new iPhone 16 will have access to the highly-anticipated platform.
Apple Intelligence is slated to launch next week as part of the iOS 18.1 software update, but it will roll out with a waitlist. Here’s how you can skip the line
Apple CEO Tim Cook has said that this marks ‘a new chapter in Apple innovation’.
What this means for you as a customer is that you can expect to find more AI integrated with your apps and devices from now on.
Largely, Apple Intelligence is focused on so-called ‘generative’ AI models, which allow users to create text or images from prompts.
While this pre-launch software should be practically identical to the final version slated to launch next week, it’s important to note that not everyone’s beta software will be entirely bug free.
This is the risk of skipping the waitlist.
Before you download the RC beta, make sure to back up your iPhone just in case something goes wrong.
Then navigate to Apple’s beta program website in your iPhone’s browser and register your device by signing in with your Apple ID and password.
If you’re already signed up, you can skip this step.
Once registered, you should be able to retrieve the public beta from the Software Update section of the Settings app.
Open the Settings app and tap General, then Software Update.
You may immediately see the iOS 18.1 RC beta listed there, but if not, you can tap Beta Updates to open a dropdown list that should display it.
Select the RC beta from the list and then select Back in the upper left corner.
Even people who jump the waitlist won’t have access to the full suite of Apple Intelligence features right away. Some, including Genmojis, won’t be available until the iOS 18.2 launch
Now, the update should be waiting for you on the Software Update screen.
Select Update Now if you want to install the RC beta immediately, or Update Tonight if you’d prefer to have it download over night.
You will be prompted to enter your passcode, and if you have selected Update Now, the download will begin.
Installation may take a while, so make sure that your iPhone is plugged into a power source while you wait for the download to finish.
Once the iOS 18.1 beta is fully installed, you will be able to join the waitlist for Apple Intelligence – even though this isn’t the official version of the software update.
To do this, go into the Settings menu and tap the Apple Intelligence & Siri option. This lets you sign up for the waitlist.
But there’s a catch. When this initial version of Apple Intelligence hits your phone, it still won’t have every feature that Apple has included in the full suite.
The launch version of Apple Intelligence will come with Writing Tools for proofreading and rewriting, Smart Replies to quickly respond to messages, Notification Summaries, Clean Up in Photos, and an initial redesign of Siri, and more.
But certain features – including Genmoji, Image Playground, ChatGPT integration, and Visual Intelligence – are set to arrive as part of iOS 18.2, which should enter beta in the next month or so.
Others will come even later. The fully revamped Siri, for example, won’t be available until sometime in 2025.
Additionally, next week’s release is only compatible with US English, which means countries outside of the US will have to wait until December to be able to use Apple Intelligence in their languages.
