iPhone users who install iOS 18.3 after the upgrade launches next week will find that Apple Intelligence is now on by default for those who use a compatible handset.
Previously, using the suite of AI-powered functions required opting in, but no longer. It’s a seemingly subtle but important change.
Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.3 to be enabled by default
When the first phase of the Apple Intelligence rollout began with iOS 18.1 in October of last year, not only did iPhone users have to manually request access to the AI features, they even had to go onto a waiting list before being granted access to the new Writing Tools. The same was true when iOS 18.2 brought Genmoji, the Image Playground and more in December.
But iOS 18.3 will change that. Apple’s official notes for the release candidate that went to developers on Tuesday say, “For users new or upgrading to iOS 18.3, Apple Intelligence will be enabled automatically during iPhone onboarding. Users will have access to Apple Intelligence features after setting up their devices.”
Apple sees its new AI-powered features as a benefit to iPhone owners, but that won’t happen if people don’t actually use them. And forcing everyone to opt-in to use Writing Tools or the Image Playground is apparently now considered an unnecessary block to adoption.
iOS 18.3 is expected to fully launch on Tuesday, January 21. That’s a week after the release candidate went to developers.
Those running iOS 18.1 or later and ready to create their own emoji, or want to be able to check the grammar of their emails, can opt into Apple’s AI features now. Of course, one of the iPhone 15 Pro models or anything from the iPhone 16 series is required. But for those that meet these criteria, just go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri and toggle on Apple Intelligence.
Passing on AI?
Not everyone is a fan of artificial intelligence. Concerns about privacy are not unusual. But Apple Intelligence uses on-device processing as much as possible, meaning that many of the models that power it run entirely on the iPhone. When a larger model is required, Apple created Private Cloud Compute with the goal of offering privacy and security to the cloud. The company promises that users’ data is never stored or shared with Apple from these servers.
Still, those who don’t want to use Apple’s AI can deactivate it.
“To disable Apple Intelligence, users will need to navigate to the Apple Intelligence & Siri Settings pane and turn off the Apple Intelligence toggle,” said the iPhone maker.
