What Apple Intelligence is and whether your device supports it
Apple Intelligence is a set of AI-powered features built into your device that help you write, create images, and understand information faster. These features run partly on your device itself and partly on Apple's servers, but Apple says it does not store your personal data or track what you do.
Apple Intelligence is not available on every Apple device. You need an iPhone 16 or newer, an iPad with an M1 chip or newer, or a Mac with an M1 chip or newer. If your device is older than that, Apple Intelligence will not appear in your settings no matter what you do.
Even if your device is new enough, Apple Intelligence may not be turned on by default. You have to enable it yourself in your settings. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
Key Takeaways
- Apple Intelligence requires an iPhone 16 or newer, iPad with M1 or newer, or Mac with M1 or newer — older devices cannot run it at all.
- On iPhone and iPad, you turn on Apple Intelligence in Settings under Apple Intelligence, then sign in with your Apple ID.
- On Mac, you enable it in System Settings under Apple Intelligence, and you may need to restart your computer for it to fully activate.
- Some Apple Intelligence features require you to be signed into iCloud with two-factor authentication turned on.
- If Apple Intelligence does not appear in your settings, check that your device model is supported and that you have the latest software version installed.
Turning on Apple Intelligence on iPhone
Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Scroll down and tap Apple Intelligence. If you do not see this option, your iPhone is either too old or you have not updated to the latest iOS version yet.
Tap the toggle next to Apple Intelligence to turn it on. Your iPhone will ask you to sign in with your Apple ID. Enter your credentials and follow the prompts. If two-factor authentication is not already turned on for your Apple ID, you may be asked to set it up now — this is required for some features to work.
After you turn it on, your iPhone will download the necessary files in the background. This can take a few minutes. You do not need to do anything while this happens — you can use your phone normally. Once the download finishes, Apple Intelligence features will start appearing in apps like Mail, Messages, and Notes.
Turning on Apple Intelligence on iPad
The process on iPad is nearly identical to iPhone. Open Settings, scroll down, and tap Apple Intelligence. Tap the toggle to turn it on, then sign in with your Apple ID.
Your iPad will download the required files in the background, which may take several minutes depending on your internet connection. You can continue using your iPad while this happens. Once the download is complete, Apple Intelligence features will be ready to use across your apps.
If you have multiple iPads, you only need to turn on Apple Intelligence once per device. Your settings do not automatically sync across devices, so if you want it on a second iPad, you will need to repeat these steps on that device.
Turning on Apple Intelligence on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings. In the sidebar, look for Apple Intelligence and click it. If you do not see it, your Mac either does not have an M1 chip or newer, or you need to update macOS.
Click the toggle next to Apple Intelligence to turn it on. You will be asked to sign in with your Apple ID. Enter your credentials and complete any additional setup steps, including two-factor authentication if needed.
After you enable it, your Mac will download the necessary files. This process runs in the background and can take several minutes. You may want to restart your Mac after turning on Apple Intelligence to ensure all features activate properly. Once that is done, you will see Apple Intelligence options in apps like Mail, Notes, and Safari.
What to do if Apple Intelligence does not appear in your settings
If you cannot find Apple Intelligence in your settings, the most common reason is that your device is too old. Apple Intelligence only works on iPhone 16 and newer, iPad with M1 or newer, or Mac with M1 or newer. If your device is older, there is no way to turn it on.
If your device is new enough, check that you have the latest software version installed. On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings, tap General, then Software Update. On Mac, click the Apple menu, select System Settings, then General and Software Update. Install any available updates and restart your device.
If you have updated your software and your device is supported, but Apple Intelligence still does not appear, try signing out of your Apple ID and signing back in. Go to Settings (or System Settings on Mac), find your Apple ID section, tap Sign Out, then sign back in. This sometimes refreshes the settings and makes Apple Intelligence visible.
Understanding what happens after you turn it on
Once Apple Intelligence is enabled, you will notice new options in several built-in apps. In Mail, you can summarize long messages. In Notes, you can rewrite text in different tones. In Messages, you can create custom emoji. In Safari, you can get summaries of web pages and documents.
Not all Apple Intelligence features are available everywhere at once. Apple has been rolling them out gradually, and some features may not be available in your region or language yet. You do not need to do anything to get these features — they will appear automatically as they become available.
Your Apple Intelligence data is stored on your device by default. For some features, Apple sends information to its servers to process, but Apple says this data is not linked to your identity and is not stored after processing is complete. You can turn off individual features in your Apple Intelligence settings if you prefer not to use them.
Turning off Apple Intelligence if you change your mind
If you decide you do not want Apple Intelligence, turning it off is simple. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap Apple Intelligence, and toggle it off. On Mac, go to System Settings, click Apple Intelligence, and toggle it off.
When you turn it off, your device will stop offering Apple Intelligence features in your apps. The files that were downloaded will remain on your device but will not be used. You can turn Apple Intelligence back on at any time by following the same steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay for Apple Intelligence?
No. Apple Intelligence is included with supported devices at no extra cost. You do not need a paid subscription or membership to use it. You only need an Apple ID and an internet connection to download the initial files.
Will Apple Intelligence work without internet?
Most Apple Intelligence features work on your device without internet once the initial files are downloaded. Some advanced features require a connection to Apple's servers, but basic writing and image tools work offline. Your device will let you know if a feature needs internet before you use it.
Can I use Apple Intelligence on a shared device?
Apple Intelligence is tied to your Apple ID. If multiple people use the same device, each person can turn on Apple Intelligence with their own Apple ID in their own user account. The features will only work when that person is signed in.
What if I do not want Apple to process my data on its servers?
You can turn off individual Apple Intelligence features in your settings. Most basic features like text rewriting work entirely on your device. If you want to avoid server processing altogether, disable the features that require it, and use only the on-device tools.
Does Apple Intelligence work in all languages?
Apple Intelligence currently works in English and is rolling out to other languages gradually. If your device language is not English, some features may not be available yet. You can change your device language to English in Settings to use Apple Intelligence, then switch back if you prefer.