What Is the Release Date for iOS 18.1 and the First Apple Intelligence Features?

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After a brand new main system software program model is launched, the .1 — or “dot-one” — replace is often hotly anticipated. It is the one which fixes bugs and incompatibilities that did not shake out in the course of the beta testing levels. This 12 months’s impending iOS 18.1 launch for iPhone carries much more curiosity, as a result of it is resulting from ship the primary Apple Intelligence options that Apple previewed in the course of the launch of the iPhone 16.

So when can we count on to put in iOS 18.1 and begin utilizing the options? Apple is not but saying, however we are able to make some educated guesses.

When will iOS 18.1 be broadly launched?

Apple mentioned throughout its September occasion that the primary AI options will arrive in beta kind “subsequent month.” Now that we’re midway by way of October, just a few indicators level to a launch earlier than the calendar ticks over to November.

Builders or folks enrolled in Apple’s public beta program can set up prerelease versions of iOS 18.1 proper now and signal as much as check Apple Intelligence. (The expertise will even run on iPadOS 18.1 and MacOS Sequoia 15.1, however I am utilizing iOS 18.1 as shorthand to imply all three. As all the time, be smart about what you’re getting into.)

The newest developer beta is the seventh revision, which often signifies Apple is near launch. The closest piece of particular data is a rumor from frequent Apple watcher Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, who says the first Apple Intelligence features will arrive Oct. 28.

Apple's iPhone 16 Pro Max with Siri's halo glow Apple's iPhone 16 Pro Max with Siri's halo glow

James Martin/CNET

There have additionally been rumors of an Apple {hardware} occasion taking place in late October, however in the identical e-newsletter Gurman now estimates a Nov. 1 date introducing new M4-based laptops, a revamped M4 Mac Mini and an M4 iMac. He additionally tagged that date for a brand new iPad mini, which is what Apple introduced this week and can begin delivery Oct. 23.

The outlier right here is that Apple’s product pages all presently confer with Apple Intelligence coming “this fall,” which could point out that the schedule has slipped out of October. Nevertheless, I’ll stay optimistic and think about October nonetheless an actual risk.

Watch this: The iPhone Wasn’t the Star of the iPhone 16 Occasion

Which units will run Apple Intelligence?

Do not forget that Apple Intelligence will work solely with the next fashions which are geared up with the A17 Professional or later (iPhone and iPad Mini) and M1 or later (Mac and iPad) processors:

  • iPhone 15 Professional
  • iPhone 15 Professional Max
  • iPhone 16
  • iPhone 16 Plus
  • iPhone 16 Professional
  • iPhone 16 Professional Max
  • iPad Mini (Late 2024)
  • iPad Air (M1 and later)
  • iPad Professional (M1 and later)
  • iPad (M1 and later)
  • Mac computer systems with Apple Silicon (M-series)

Learn extra: Earlier than iOS 18.1 arrives, be sure to find out about these 9 hidden iOS 18 features and the best way to remove annoying banners and other distractions in Safari.

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