Skip to Content

iOS 18.1 Widely Available This Week With First Apple Intelligence Features and More

by

Apple recently confirmed that iOS 18.1 will be widely released to the public this week. The software update includes the first Apple Intelligence features for iPhone 15 Pro models and all iPhone 16 models, a set of hearing health features for the AirPods Pro 2, phone call recording on the iPhone XS and newer, and more.

Generic iOS 18
Ahead of iOS 18.1 being released, Apple is already advertising Apple Intelligence as being "here" in a Reddit ad, hinting at the update's imminent availability.

Here are some of the key Apple Intelligence features coming with iOS 18.1:

  • A few Siri enhancements, including a new appearance with a glowing light that wraps around the edge of the screen, and improved understanding for both follow-up requests and when you stumble over your words
  • Writing tools for rewriting, summarizing, and proofreading text
  • Notification summaries
  • Suggested replies in the Messages and Mail apps
  • A new "Clean Up" tool in the Photos app that can remove unwanted people or objects from photos and use generative AI to fill in the background
  • The ability to create a "Memories" movie in the Photos app by typing a description
  • Transcription summaries for phone call recordings
  • A new Focus mode called Reduce Interruptions that surfaces important notifications only

See our full list of Apple Intelligence features included in iOS 18.1 for even more.

Apple Intelligence will gain more features and support for additional languages on a gradual basis between iOS 18.2 and iOS 18.4. iOS 18.2 is already in beta, and it adds Apple Intelligence features such as Genmoji, Image Playground, Image Wand, and ChatGPT integration for Siri, as well as Visual Intelligence exclusively on all iPhone 16 models. iOS 18.2 is expected to be widely released to the public in December.

iOS 18.1 supports the same iPhone models as iOS 17 does, but Apple Intelligence requires an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 model. On iOS 18.1, Apple Intelligence is available in U.S. English only, with more localized English languages for the U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa coming with iOS 18.2. Additional languages like German, Italian, and Korean will follow next year.

Tag: Apple Intelligence Guide
Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple Released Seven New Products Today

Wednesday March 11, 2026 7:05 am PDT by
Starting today, the seven new Apple products that were announced last week are available at Apple Stores and beginning to arrive to customers. The colorful MacBook Neo and all of the other new products are on display at most Apple Store locations around the world starting today. Apple Stores have inventory of the new products for both walk-in customers and Apple Store pickup, but...
Read Full Article • 23 comments
ios 26 4 yellow

Everything New in iOS 26.4 Beta 4

Monday March 9, 2026 3:50 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to test the iOS 26.4 beta, and the latest update is now available for developers and public beta testers. As testing goes on, there are fewer new features in each beta, but today’s release adds new emoji characters and a few other changes. New Emoji Apple added new emoji characters, including trombone, treasure chest, distorted face, hairy creature, fight cloud, orca,...
Read Full Article • 71 comments
Apple 50 Years of Thinking Different

Apple Announces 50th Anniversary Plans

Thursday March 12, 2026 6:10 am PDT by
Apple today announced that it will celebrate the company's 50th anniversary over the coming weeks, but it has yet to reveal any specific plans. Apple was founded on April 1, 1976, so the company will turn 50 on April 1, 2026. "While Apple is known for looking forward, this milestone offers a special moment to reflect on the journey that has brought the company here, to celebrate the...
Read Full Article • 84 comments

Top Rated Comments

turbineseaplane Avatar
turbineseaplane
18 months ago
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you "Siri"



Source: https://mastodon.social/@stroughtonsmith/113381041394864742

Attachment Image
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Z
zerocharlie
18 months ago
Why is the new Siri glowing light being touted as a feature? If Siri is better, great. But a different animation?!

Ehhh that sounds like marketing language.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Joe Rossignol Avatar
Joe Rossignol
18 months ago

Why they saying this week when it’s today? Technically it’s this week, but the wording of it could have said it releases today instead

So, it went from The Gurmanator saying today to "This week"? Is it today or not? Not that I really care, I just don't see me using much of this at all.
Yes, we expect iOS 18.1 to be released today. We put "This Week" in the headline to play it safe.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
E
endemize
18 months ago

Wow, those are some impressive AI features that you couldn't possibly get anywhere else! /s
But, but, but, integration and whatnot. Whatever helps you sleep at night, I suppose.
Why so cynical about it? It’s free.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
H
Heat_Fan89
18 months ago
I'm glad my iPhone 13 isn't getting any of that useless AI stuff. So tired of the Microsoft Co-Pilot and Google's Gemini AI nonsense.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cjsuk Avatar
cjsuk
18 months ago

Wow, those are some impressive AI features that you couldn't possibly get anywhere else! /s
But, but, but, integration and whatnot. Whatever helps you sleep at night, I suppose.
Late to the party hopefully means done properly.

I reserve judgement however.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments