After a new major system software version is released, a .1 (“dot one”) update is usually eagerly anticipated. This fixes bugs and incompatibilities that were not resolved during the beta testing stage. This year’s upcoming iOS 18.1 release for the iPhone is even more exciting as it will bring the first Apple Intelligence features previewed by Apple. iPhone 16 launch.
So when can you install iOS 18.1 and start using its features? Apple hasn’t said yet, but we can make some educated guesses.
When will iOS 18.1 be widely released?
Apple said at its September event that the first AI features would arrive in beta “next month.” We’re halfway through October, and there are some signs pointing to a release happening before the calendar flips to November.
If you’re a developer or someone enrolled in Apple’s public beta program, you can sign up to install a pre-release version of iOS 18.1 and test Apple Intelligence today. (This technology also runs on iPadOS 18.1 and MacOS Sequoia 15.1, but I’m using iOS 18.1 as an abbreviation to mean all three.) As always, be smart about what you’re doing. Please be.)
The latest developer beta is the seventh revision, which usually signals that Apple is getting closer to release. The closest thing to concrete information is a rumor from frequent Apple Watch follower Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, who says the first Apple Intelligence features are coming. October 28th.
There are also rumors that an Apple hardware event will be held in late October, but in the same newsletter Garman said that currently, November 1st Today we announced new M4-based laptops, the improved M4 Mac Mini and M4 iMac. He also added the date for the new iPad mini, which Apple announced this week and will start shipping on October 23rd.
The outlier here is that all of Apple’s product pages now mention Apple Intelligence coming “this fall.” This may indicate that the schedule has shifted from October. But I’m being optimistic and think October is still a possibility.
Look at this: iPhone wasn’t the star of the iPhone 16 event
Which devices run Apple Intelligence?
Note that Apple Intelligence only works on the following models with A17 Pro or newer (iPhone and iPad Mini) and M1 or newer (Mac and iPad) processors:
- iPhone15 pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone16
- iPhone16 plus
- iPhone16 pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPad Mini (late 2024)
- iPad Air (M1 or later)
- iPad Pro (M1 or later)
- iPad (M1 or later)
- Mac computers with Apple Silicon (M series)
read more: Before iOS 18.1 arrives, be sure to know about 9 hidden features of iOS 18 and how to remove annoying banners and other distractions in Safari.
