Using Apple Intelligence starts with a compatible device, current software, and the Apple Intelligence & Siri switch in Settings.
Apple Intelligence brings writing help, visual tools, image creation, live translation, and a steadier Siri into apps you already use. No new workflow. Just the right hardware, an update, and a few quick toggles. This guide gives step-by-step setup, hands-on ideas, and prompts that work.
Feature Map And Where To Try Each One
The table below gives a fast overview so you can jump straight to a task that matters to you.
| Feature | Where To Try It | What It Helps With |
|---|---|---|
| Writing Tools | Mail, Messages, Notes, Pages, system text fields | Rewrite, shorten, proofread, change tone |
| Smart Reply | Mail, Messages | Fast replies that fit the thread |
| Summaries | Mail, Messages, Safari | Condense long emails, threads, and pages |
| Visual Intelligence | Camera, screenshots, on-screen content | Identify items, translate menus, create calendar events |
| Image Playground | Standalone app; also in Messages, Freeform | Make playful images from prompts |
| Genmoji | Keyboard, Image Playground | Create custom emoji from a short description |
| Image Wand | Notes, Freeform (supported models) | Turn rough sketches into images |
| Clean Up | Photos | Remove distractions like power lines or photobombers |
| Photo Search | Photos | Find pictures with natural language |
| Memory Movie | Photos | Auto-build a shareable clip from your picks |
| Live Translation | Messages, Phone, FaceTime, AirPods (supported) | Translate chats and calls in real time |
| Siri Upgrades | Siri everywhere | Type to Siri, better follow-through, product know-how |
| Shortcuts Actions | Shortcuts app | Send text to models, create images, chain tasks |
| Notes Audio Summary | Notes | Summarize recordings with a link to the transcript |
| Voicemail Summary | Phone | Skim voicemails without playing |
| Notification Summaries | Lock Screen, Notification Center | Read the gist without opening every app |
Using Apple Intelligence On Supported Devices
Walk through these steps once. After that, the tools feel built-in.
- Check hardware. iPhone 15 Pro or newer supports these features. iPad and Mac with Apple silicon also qualify. Apple Watch picks up select items when paired with a supported iPhone.
- Update software. Install the latest iOS, iPadOS, or macOS. New releases add features and fixes.
- Turn it on. Open Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri. Toggle Apple Intelligence, or tap Turn on Apple Intelligence.
- Match languages. Set device language and Siri language to the same supported option so features appear across apps.
- Leave room for models. Keep about 7 GB free so on-device models can download. Stay on Wi-Fi and power for a faster first download.
- Give it a minute. If a tool isn’t visible yet, keep the device plugged in on Wi-Fi and check again after the models finish downloading.
- Run a quick test. In Notes, select a paragraph, tap the Writing Tools button, and ask for a shorter version.
Need Apple’s official checklist for devices, versions, and supported languages? See How to get Apple Intelligence on Apple’s site.
Where Your Data Gets Processed
Most requests run on the device. For heavy tasks, the system can send work to Private Cloud Compute, which uses servers built with iPhone-style protections and opens its software for outside review. That design lets larger models help without turning your personal data into a product.
Writing Tools, Visual Intelligence, And Siri
These are the workhorses. You’ll feel the gains across mail, messages, notes, and daily errands.
Writing Tools In Apps
Mail. Turn long mail into a tight summary inside the message view. When a reply is all you need, pick Smart Reply to send a short line that fits the thread.
Messages. Trim a text before you send it, or ask for three rewrites with different tones. Tap the one that sounds like you.
Notes. Record a voice memo and get a linked summary. Tap the summary to jump to the exact moment in the transcript.
Safari. Summarize a page to scan the main points, then open the full article if you need details.
Shortcuts. Add an action that sends any text to Writing Tools, then drops the rewrite back into your app of choice.
Siri That Reads Context
Type when you can’t speak. Ask product questions, move between apps, and act on what’s on screen. Try these patterns:
- “What are the steps to pair AirPods Pro?”
- “Find tonight’s calendar event, text the time to Jenna, then set a reminder at 5 pm if I don’t get a reply.”
- “From this flyer, add the date and venue to Calendar.”
Visual Intelligence For What’s On Screen
Point the camera at a plant, dish, or landmark to get context. Long-press the Action or Camera Control to launch a visual search. Screenshots work too. When the system spots a date or location, you’ll see a card to add an event or map it.
Genmoji And Image Playground
Make custom emoji straight from a short description and drop them in chats. Open Image Playground to mix styles and concepts into a quick graphic for a message, invite, or post.
Photos Clean Up And Smart Search
Clean Up removes stray wires, signs, and random walkers so your subject stands out. Photo search accepts plain words like “sunset at the beach last July,” then you can build a memory movie from those picks.
Pro Moves In Mail, Messages, Notes, And Photos
Once the basics feel natural, these small tweaks save time day after day.
- Smart Reply with context. Before sending, tap the reply chip and add one custom line so it sounds personal.
- One-tap summaries. In long email chains, run a summary, then star the few lines you need to act on.
- Meeting notes that stick. In Notes, record the call, then pin the generated summary at the top of the note.
- Cleaner albums. Use Clean Up in Photos right after you snap a picture so you never revisit edits.
- Share better. Turn a search result set into a memory movie and send the clip instead of a pile of images.
Deep Setup Tips For A Smooth Start
A few small tweaks help the first week go better. Language packs can be large, so pick one primary language for both the device and Siri to avoid repeated downloads. If you switch languages, give the device time to finish the new pack before testing features again. When storage runs low, offload seldom-used apps in Settings > General > iPhone Storage and keep photos backed up so the model download has room.
On iPhone, leave the device on power and Wi-Fi overnight after your first update. That window lets the models download and index quietly. On iPad and Mac, keep the screen awake while connected so the process doesn’t pause. If you use Apple Watch, pair it with a supported iPhone so live translation and Workout Buddy appear where available.
If you plan to use the built-in ChatGPT access inside Siri and Writing Tools, wait for the permission prompt and decide case-by-case. You can keep everything on device by skipping that step, or you can allow the hand-off when you want a broader answer. Either way, you’ll see a clear label so you know what helped craft the response.
Quick Prompts And Commands That Work Well
Use the sample lines below as a starting point. Short, plain wording works best.
| Task | Sample Command Or Prompt | App |
|---|---|---|
| Rewrite a paragraph | “Make this clearer and 20% shorter.” | Writing Tools |
| Change tone | “Rewrite this reply in a friendly tone.” | Writing Tools |
| Draft a quick reply | “Suggest three replies that confirm Friday at 2 pm.” | Mail/Messages |
| Summarize a long page | “Give me the main points from this page.” | Safari |
| Turn a flyer into an event | “Create a calendar event from what’s on screen.” | Visual Intelligence |
| Identify a plant | “What plant is this?” | Visual Intelligence |
| Make a custom emoji | “A sleepy cat in a hoodie.” | Genmoji |
| Create a quick graphic | “Poster style, neon colors, weekend market with flowers.” | Image Playground |
| Clean a photo | “Remove the cables behind the subject.” | Photos |
| Find a memory | “Photos of hiking in April near the lake.” | Photos |
| Chain tasks with Siri | “Text Alex that I’ll be 15 minutes late, then set a 5 pm follow-up.” | Siri |
| Build a Shortcut | “Send clipboard to Writing Tools, return the rewrite to Notes.” | Shortcuts |
| Translate a call | “Enable live translation for this call.” | Phone/FaceTime |
| Summarize a voicemail | “Show the voicemail summary.” | Phone |
Troubleshooting: Why A Feature Might Not Show Up
- Device support. iPhone 15 Pro and newer are covered. iPad and Mac with Apple silicon qualify. Apple Vision Pro takes part in many features. Some watch items need a nearby supported iPhone.
- Software level. Features land in waves. Update to the latest build to get new tools and fixes.
- Region and language. Availability varies. Set device and Siri to a supported language. Some items roll out to more regions over time.
- Storage and power. If models won’t download, free space, plug in, and stay on Wi-Fi.
- Managed devices. Work or school profiles can block features. If a setting is greyed out, ask your admin.
- App location. Tools often live inside app menus. In Mail look for Smart Reply; in Photos try Clean Up; in Notes open the transcript summary.
Tips To Use It Daily Without Friction
- Pin the tools. Keep the Writing Tools button on the keyboard shortcut bar for quick access.
- Make a compose Shortcut. One tap sends clipboard text to Writing Tools and drops the rewrite into Notes.
- Use typed Siri in meetings. Quiet, fast, and precise.
- Add control tiles. Place Live Translation and Image Playground in Control Center.
- Keep threads moving. In group chats, Smart Reply keeps pace without sounding robotic.
- Adopt a habit. Any time you write more than five sentences, run one rewrite pass.
Privacy And Controls In Plain English
Most work happens on your device. When bigger models are needed, Private Cloud Compute handles the request with a locked-down design that researchers can audit. You can turn the features off in Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri. Turning them off removes the downloaded models from your device.