Apple Intelligence waitlist – sounds intriguing, doesn’t it? Apple has just rolled out developer beta 1 for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1. However, there’s a twist.
Even if you install these updates, you won’t get immediate access to Apple Intelligence features. Instead, you’ll find yourself joining a waitlist. Let’s dive into what this means and how you can get on that list.
How to join the Apple Intelligence waitlist
After installing the iOS 18.1 beta, you might not see any immediate changes. Apple Intelligence features are not available right off the bat. Here’s how you can join the waitlist and eventually access these exciting new capabilities:
- Open “Settings”: Navigate to the settings on your device running iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, or macOS 15.1.
- Apple Intelligence & Siri menu: Go to this menu and you’ll see the option at the top.
- Join the waitlist: Click on ‘Join the Apple Intelligence Waitlist’ and then hit the blue ‘Join Waitlist’ button on the pop-up.
Once you’ve joined, your wait begins. Some early beta users reported minimal waits, but as more people join, expect longer delays. It’s a first-come, first-served kind of deal.
How to install iOS 18.1 beta to test the Apple Intelligence beta
Warning: iOS 18.1 is designed for developers and test iPhone devices. Apple Intelligence is in very early beta testing.
- Requirements: An iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max is necessary to install this beta. A paid Apple Developer account is not required, but you might need to sign in with your Apple ID at developer.apple.com if you haven’t before.
- Preparation: Make a fresh backup of your iPhone or iPad. This is important in case you want or need to downgrade. Apple recommends doing a backup on a Mac or PC.
- Installation steps:
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. If you aren’t running an iOS 18 beta build yet, you may need to upgrade to that first.
- Tap General > Software Update.
- Choose the Beta Updates button.
- Select iOS 18.1 Developer Beta (at the bottom).
- If you need to change your Apple ID associated with the beta, you can tap that at the bottom.
- Choose Back when done.
- Look for iOS 18.1 Developer Beta to appear, then choose Download and Install.
- Troubleshooting: If you’re not seeing the option to turn on beta updates or iOS 18.1 appear:
- Try quitting and relaunching the Settings app.
- Double-check that you’re running the iOS 18 beta.
- Sign in with your Apple ID at developer.apple.com for free and try the above steps again.
How to turn on the Apple Intelligence beta
- After installing the iOS 18.1 beta:
- Open Settings.
- Tap the new Apple Intelligence & Siri button (just below Accessibility).
- Choose to Join the Apple Intelligence Waitlist at the top.
- It may take some time before the available Apple Intelligence beta features are enabled on your device.
Keep in mind this is the very first look at some of the initial features in the Apple Intelligence beta. Learn how to enter the Apple Intelligence waitlist and much more with this guide.
What happens after you’re on the list?
Now that we know how to enter the Apple Intelligence waitlist, let’s dive a little deeper. Once you get the green light, the magic starts to happen. Your device will need to download specific models to enable various Apple Intelligence features. The good news is you only need to request access on one device. Once granted, your other devices will also be ready to roll after downloading the necessary models.
Early adopters have noted some quirks. For instance, one user got access to their iPad before their iPhone, even though they requested the latter. It’s all part of the beta experience!
The future of Apple Intelligence: What’s next?
While the current beta offers a taste of Apple Intelligence, it doesn’t include the full suite of features. Missing from this initial release are integrations like ChatGPT, and image generation tools such as Image Playground and Genmoji.
Apple Intelligence is shaping up to be a major update, enhancing how we interact with our devices. For now, though, it’s all about patience and being on the Apple Intelligence waitlist. Keep your devices updated and stay tuned for more features as they become available.
The Apple Intelligence waitlist is a new approach for Apple, ensuring a smooth rollout of their advanced AI features. While it may require some patience, the process is straightforward and promises exciting capabilities for those who join. Keep an eye on your settings and be ready to explore the future of Apple Intelligence as it unfolds.
Featured image credit: Apple
