With the release of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, Apple has introduced a powerful new suite of artificial intelligence features called Apple Intelligence. Built directly into your iPhone and iPad, Apple Intelligence is designed to enhance your daily interactions with your device using on-device AI, personal context, and private cloud computing — all while keeping your data secure.
If you’ve recently updated your device and want to explore or control these AI-powered features, this blog post will walk you through how to manage Apple Intelligence settings effectively on supported iPhones and iPads.
What Is Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence is Apple’s native AI system that powers new smart tools across iOS and iPadOS. Unlike third-party AI assistants, Apple Intelligence is deeply integrated, context-aware, and built with privacy-first architecture.
Key Features of Apple Intelligence:
- AI Writing Tools (Rewrite, Proofread, Summarize)
- Image Playground (Generate AI images)
- Genmoji (Personalized emojis using AI)
- Smarter Siri with contextual understanding
- On-device & Private Cloud Compute processing
Which Devices Support Apple Intelligence?
Not all iPhones or iPads are compatible. As of iOS 18, Apple Intelligence is available only on:
- iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPad Air and iPad Pro with an M1 chip or later
- Devices must be running iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 (or later)
If your device isn’t listed, you won’t see these features in your Settings.
How to Manage Apple Intelligence on iPhone or iPad
Managing Apple Intelligence is easy once you know where to look. Here’s a complete guide:
1. Open the Settings App
Start by launching the Settings app from your home screen.
2. Navigate to Apple Intelligence Settings
Go to:
Settings > Privacy & Security > Apple Intelligence
(Note: The name of this menu may vary slightly depending on beta or final releases, such as “Intelligence Features” or “AI Features.”)
3. Customize Individual AI Features
Once inside the Apple Intelligence settings panel, you can toggle various features based on your needs:
✍️ AI Writing Tools
- Enable/disable Rewrite, Summarize, and Proofread
- Customize their behavior in supported apps like Notes, Mail, and Safari
🖼️ Image Playground
- Allow or restrict AI-generated image features
- Control which apps can access this tool
😊 Genmoji
- Enable the ability to create custom emojis using AI prompts
- Disable if you prefer the traditional emoji experience
🎙️ Siri with Apple Intelligence
- Go to Settings > Siri & Search
- Choose how much personal context Siri can use (e.g., calendar, messages)
- Manage voice response, on-screen results, and third-party app interactions
4. Manage Privacy & Data Sharing
Apple gives you granular control over what data is used by Apple Intelligence:
- Go to:
Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements - Here, you can:
- Disable Share with Apple (for AI improvements)
- Limit how much personal context is used for personalization
- Review app-specific AI access
Apple’s Private Cloud Compute ensures your data is not stored or viewed by Apple, even if AI processing temporarily happens in the cloud.
5. Control AI Access for Specific Apps
You can manage which third-party apps have access to Apple Intelligence:
- Navigate to:
Settings > [App Name] > Apple Intelligence (if available) - Toggle on/off based on your privacy preferences.
Is Apple Intelligence Safe?
Yes – Apple designed its AI platform with security and privacy as foundational elements. Here’s how it protects your data:
- Most requests are processed directly on your device
- If offloading is needed, it uses Private Cloud Compute (encrypted, temporary, never stored)
- You can choose what data gets shared, or keep everything local
In short, you’re always in control of your information.
Why You Should Customize Apple Intelligence
Customizing Apple Intelligence ensures you’re getting value from AI – on your terms. Whether you want full automation or prefer minimal assistance, these settings allow you to:
- Stay productive with smart writing tools
- Personalize communication using Genmoji
- Maintain privacy without missing out on innovation
Final Thoughts
Apple Intelligence brings a powerful, privacy-conscious AI system directly to iPhones and iPads — no subscriptions, no third-party apps needed. With a few taps in your Settings, you can fully manage and personalize your Apple Intelligence experience.
As Apple continues to roll out even more features in future updates, staying informed and in control will ensure you get the best of what AI has to offer — without compromising privacy or performance.