Here's When to Expect Apple Intelligence to Launch on the New iPad Mini

Just like iPhone 16 models, the new iPad mini is likely to launch without Apple Intelligence, but the features should be available on the device soon.

ipad mini 7 feature
Geekbench results for the iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip list the device as running iPadOS 18.0, instead of iPadOS 18.1 with Apple Intelligence.

Last month, a private account on social media platform X with a proven track record of sharing upcoming iOS versions mentioned a special build of iPadOS 18.0 for the iPad mini 7, and it appears that the device will indeed come preinstalled with iPadOS 18.0 out of the box when it begins arriving to customers on Wednesday, October 23.

Fortunately, new iPad mini owners shouldn't have to wait too long for Apple Intelligence. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman this week reiterated his expectation that iPadOS 18.1 will be released on Monday, October 28, so Apple Intelligence should be available on the new iPad mini merely five days after the device launches.

Apple's press release for the new iPad mini had already mentioned that the first Apple Intelligence features would be available on the device starting with an iPadOS 18.1 software update this month, and now the situation is fully clear.

The first Apple Intelligence features include writing tools, notification summaries, and more.

Related Roundup: iPad mini
Buyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

iOS 26 Battery Glass Feature

iPhone 16 Pro Max 80% Charge Limit: One Year Later, Was It Worth It?

Wednesday September 24, 2025 3:58 pm PDT by
With the iPhone 15 series, I did an experiment and kept my iPhone's Charge Limit set at 80 percent for an entire year. It provided an interesting look at the impact of charge limits on battery longevity, so I decided to repeat it for the iPhone 16 line. Since September 2024, my iPhone 16 Pro Max has been limited to an 80 percent charge, with no cheating. As of today, my battery's maximum...
Home Hub Command Center with Dome Base Feature

Apple Working on All-New Operating System

Thursday September 25, 2025 1:11 pm PDT by
Apple is developing an all-new operating system codenamed "Charismatic," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple smart home hub concept based on rumors This is likely Apple's long-rumored "homeOS" operating system. In a report last month, Gurman said both Apple's rumored smart home hub in 2026 and tabletop robot in 2027 will run the new operating system. He said the software platform ...
AirPods Pro 3 Newsroom

Apple's 'Back to School' Offer Ends Soon, Now Applies to AirPods Pro 3

Wednesday September 24, 2025 7:20 am PDT by
Apple's annual "Back to School" promotion for students ends soon, so act fast if you want to score free AirPods with the purchase of an eligible new Mac or iPad. Until Tuesday, September 30, college students and qualifying educational staff in the U.S. can receive free AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation when they purchase an eligible new Mac or iPad from Apple. This is a $179 value. ...
iOS 26

iOS 26.0.1 Update for iPhones Coming Soon — Here's What to Expect

Thursday September 25, 2025 12:40 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 26.0.1, according to a private account on X with a proven track record of sharing information about future iOS versions. MacRumors has also seen evidence of iOS 26.0.1 in its visitor logs in recent days. It is likely that iOS 26.0.1 will fix a camera-related bug on the new iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models. In his iPhone Air review, CNN Underscored's...
iPhone 17 Pro Colors

Skipped the iPhone 17 Pro? Here's What is Rumored for iPhone 18 Pro

Tuesday September 23, 2025 8:55 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are still a year away, there are already a few rumors about the devices that offer an early look ahead. Below, we have recapped some of the early iPhone 18 Pro rumors so far. This story was published previously, and it has been updated to reflect the latest rumors. Many early rumors prove to be true, but nothing is confirmed yet, and Apple's...
iOS 26

Everything New in iOS 26.1 Beta 1

Monday September 22, 2025 12:44 pm PDT by
Apple released the first beta of iOS 26.1 today, just a week after launching iOS 26. iOS 26.1 mainly adds new languages to Apple Intelligence, but there are a few other features that are worth knowing about. New Apple Intelligence Languages Apple Intelligence is now available in Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Chinese (Traditional), and Vietnamese. AirPo...
apple tv 4k new orange

Next Apple TV Expected to Launch This Year With These New Features

Monday September 22, 2025 10:00 am PDT by
The next Apple TV is expected to be released later this year, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the next Apple TV, according to rumors. Likely Features N1 Chip With Wi-Fi 7 Last year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the next Apple TV would be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, which is...
Apple More Personal Siri Ad

Apple Responds to U.S. Class Action Lawsuit Over Delayed Siri Features

Friday September 26, 2025 6:57 am PDT by
In March, Apple delayed the launch of its personalized Siri features, and soon after the company was hit with multiple class action lawsuits over the situation. The plaintiffs said they never would have purchased an iPhone 16, or would have paid less, had they known Apple's marketing about the Siri features was false. In the U.S., all of the complaints were consolidated into one class...

Top Rated Comments

abatabia Avatar
12 months ago
I’m going to be harsh here but this is just embarrassing at this point with the “rollout” of AI. Why the rush to release this iPad if it was just a press release? Wait until the end of the month when 18.1 is supposed to release. It’s been three years, would two more weeks really matter? Or, don’t advertise how it’s “built for apple intelligence” when it’s not here yet. Just silly.

Your opinion may differ.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
12 months ago

Hard disagree. I want a better Siri ASAP!
"something went wrong"
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iamgalt Avatar
12 months ago

I’m going to be harsh here but this is just embarrassing at this point with the “rollout” of AI. Why the rush to release this iPad if it was just a press release? Wait until the end of the month when 18.1 is supposed to release. It’s been three years, would two more weeks really matter? Or, don’t advertise how it’s “built for apple intelligence” when it’s not here yet. Just silly.

Your opinion may differ.
"wait till the end of the month when 18.1 is released" mean's that's when they would be able to load the OS onto the iPads, then they'd have to package them, then ship them out all over the world, and then put on sale. If they waited till they could release them with 18.1, it would be a delay of at least a month, if not more. Releasing it now, gets a little bit of buzz happening and raises some excitement for the new features. While I see where you're coming from with the "built for apple intelligence" phrase, I think it's pretty clear that they mean it's "apple intelligence ready" for when it does come out, unlike many iphones, ipads, and macs. Plus there are some people who don't want to upgrade to 18.1 because they don't want AI stuff. Not that Apple is catering to this group specifically, but more people may buy it knowing they don't have to have the AI features on the latest iPad Mini.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MNWildFan Avatar
12 months ago

Exactly. Just release it all at once. This isn’t working.
I agree

I absolutely hate how in recent years Apple has adopted the strategy of announcing features but releasing them in phases

If you've had all the time to conceptualize of all them, then why not just spring them all on us at once???
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Spock Avatar
12 months ago
This is really getting old, they are selling these new devices like the lackluster iPhone Pro without the feature they are using to sell the things.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
paradox00 Avatar
12 months ago

I’m going to be harsh here but this is just embarrassing at this point with the “rollout” of AI. Why the rush to release this iPad if it was just a press release? Wait until the end of the month when 18.1 is supposed to release. It’s been three years, would two more weeks really matter? Or, don’t advertise how it’s “built for apple intelligence” when it’s not here yet. Just silly.

Your opinion may differ.
My opinion differs. I give Apple credit for one thing: knowing how to make the most money possible. If they believe a staggered release ahead of Apple AI will make them more money, they are probably right.

Most people aren't following as closely as those here, and staggered releases keeps Apple in more press cycles and the iPad mini doesn't get lost in the news about new Macs or AI coming to iPhones. Losing 2+ weeks of pre-christmas sales more than offsets any "embarrassment" they may feel. Even as a consumer, it's better they release them now. If you want to wait for AI before buying one, you're free to do so, but there's no need to make everyone else wait too.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)