For users new or upgrading to macOS 18.3, Apple Intelligence will be enabled automatically during Mac onboarding. Users will have access to Apple Intelligence features after setti

If you're on the fence about Apple Intelligence features on your iPhone, just know they'll be automatically installed with the next iOS update. According to Apple's beta developer notes, Apple Intelligence will automatically be switched on when you install iOS 18.

Apple Intelligence is being enabled by default starting in iOS 18.3, a big change that shows Apple’s confidence in the AI features.

In addition, Apple introduces Visual Intelligence, which works similarly to Google Lens but with extra functionality. By pointing your iPhone’s camera at an object, you can ask Siri questions about it, providing instant context or answers about things like landmarks, plants, or everyday items.

Apple Intelligence will only be enabled by default for hardware that supports it. For the iPhone, that's just the iPhone 15 Pro series, iPhone 16 series, and iPhone 16 Pro series. It goes further back on the iPad and Mac—Apple Intelligence works on any model with an M1 processor or newer.

Plus: Google stuffs Gemini into Workspace, with a hidden off switch? Ready or not, generative AI assistants and productivity aids are getting harder to avoid with a growing number of software vendors enabling them by default.