Apple Intelligence runs on iPhone 15 Pro models and all iPhone 16 or later; newer iPads and Macs with Apple silicon also qualify.
If you’re weighing an upgrade, the first thing you want to know is which handsets actually run Apple Intelligence. This guide spells it out in plain terms, then shows you how to check your phone, flip the right switches, and fix the common hiccups that stop features from showing up.
You’ll see a clean list, quick rules of thumb, and a simple checklist. No fluff—just what matters so you can decide fast today.
Phones That Run Apple Intelligence: Full Compatibility List
Apple ties these features to newer chips and memory budgets. In short, phones with A17 Pro or newer silicon make the cut, and that starts with the 2023 Pro line. Here’s the at-a-glance list you came for.
| iPhone Model Group | Release Year | Apple Intelligence |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max | 2023 | Supported |
| iPhone 15, 15 Plus | 2023 | Not supported |
| iPhone 16, 16 Plus | 2024 | Supported |
| iPhone 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max | 2024 | Supported |
| iPhone 17 family and newer | 2025+ | Supported |
Why Only These iPhones Qualify
The feature set leans on an on-device language model, a beefy Neural Engine, and extra memory headroom. That stack lets the phone generate images, rewrite text, summarize mail, and pull context across apps while keeping private data on the device whenever it can. Older handsets can run the base OS, but they don’t have the horsepower for this workload at a good speed and battery draw.
One more note: feature packs arrive in waves. Some parts launch on day one, while others land in point releases. So two people on the same phone and OS may see a slightly different menu for a short time.
How To Check If Your iPhone Is Eligible
Use three quick checks. You can do all of them in under a minute.
Step 1: Confirm The Model
Open Settings > General > About. Check the model name. If you see 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max, you’re in. Any 16 series phone works. Newer lines do as well.
Step 2: Update iOS
Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Install the latest build. Many Apple Intelligence features ship in staged waves tied to point releases, so staying current matters for rollout speed and bug fixes.
Step 3: Check Language And Region
Some features expand country by country. Set Language & Region to a supported set if needed, then restart. If you still don’t see the toggle, wait a day and try again—a staggered rollout can take a bit to reach every device.
Phones Supporting Apple Intelligence: Simple Rules
Here’s the short rule set people use when cross-checking eligibility at a glance.
- Pro line from 2023: works.
- Standard 2023 line: doesn’t.
- All 2024 phones: works.
- Newer lines from 2025 and beyond: works.
For the official wording and caveats, see Apple’s device requirements. That page also spells out support by platform, including iPad and Mac, and calls out watch pairing rules for select features.
What About iPads, Macs, And Watch?
The question here is phones, but many buyers plan across devices. The short version: iPads and Macs with Apple silicon handle the feature set, and Apple Watch can join the party for select actions when paired to an eligible phone. That pairing piece matters if you rely on wrist input and voice.
To scan the cross-device view, Apple’s Apple Intelligence overview lays out platforms, feature demos, and privacy notes in one place.
Feature Rollout And Why You Might Not See It Yet
You meet the model and OS rules, yet the menu still looks bare. A few common reasons explain this gap, and all of them are quick to test.
Reason 1: Staged Distribution
Apple turns on servers across regions in batches. When a wave moves, devices pick up toggles and downloads in the background. Keep the phone on Wi-Fi, plug it in for a while, and recheck later.
Reason 2: Language Pack Availability
Many features launched in U.S. English first, then grew to more languages. If you need a different set, you might wait a short while for the pack to ship.
Reason 3: Pending Downloads
Some parts arrive as on-demand downloads. Open Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri to see if the system is still preparing files.
Reason 4: Company Restrictions
On managed phones, admins can limit new features. If your device uses a work profile, ask your admin if any new policy blocks these tools.
Second Table: Quick Requirements And Where To Check
Use this table as a one-screen checklist while you set things up.
| Requirement | Where To Check | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible iPhone model | Settings > General > About | Look for 15 Pro, any 16 line, or newer. |
| Latest iOS build | Settings > General > Software Update | Install updates; many features land in point releases. |
| Language & region fit | Settings > General > Language & Region | Pick a supported set, then restart. |
Upgrade Paths If Your Current Phone Misses Out
If you’re sitting on a 2023 standard model or anything older, you have three smart routes. Each path hits a different budget and lifespan target.
Path 1: Step Into The 2024 Line
The base 2024 handsets bring the right chip and will receive long software support. Battery life and cameras also see steady gains over older models, which helps day to day.
Path 2: Grab A 2023 Pro
Last year’s Pro units often land at friendly prices on the refurb shelf. You still get the needed chip, fast screens, and the stainless-or-titanium build many people like.
Path 3: Buy New For The Longest Run
The newest line gets the longest runway for updates. If you upgrade rarely, this path stretches your spend across more years of feature drops.
Privacy, Cloud Help, And How The System Handles Data
Apple routes many requests on the phone itself. When a task needs extra power, Private Cloud Compute can handle the job on Apple silicon servers with a design that rejects data harvesting. In plain terms, your device keeps control, and requests get stateless handling when they leave your phone.
Apple outlines which tasks stay on the device and which call out to its privacy-tested servers, along with new features that roll in over time on iPhone and iPad.
Troubleshooting Checklist When Features Don’t Appear
Run through these steps in order. Stop when the menu shows up.
- Install the latest point release.
- Toggle Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri off and on.
- Change Siri to U.S. English, then restart.
- Sign out of iCloud, sign in again, and wait ten minutes on Wi-Fi.
- Reset Network Settings, then reconnect to a steady network.
- If managed by work, ask IT about any new device policy.
- Back up, then run an in-place restore with the latest OS image.
Buying Tips For Shoppers
When you compare models, look first at chip class and base storage. The AI tools like room to breathe, and 128 GB can fill up fast if you produce lots of images or save long audio captures. Next, match screen size and battery life to your day. City commuters often prefer the smaller body, while travelers love the larger pack.
Carrier promos can swing the math but read the fine print. Lock-in, upgrade fees, and trade-in values vary a lot. If you plan to jump every year, a carrier plan can work. If you hold a phone for years, SIM-free pricing plus a light MVNO plan can save more.
Time-Saving Features You Get On A Supported Phone
Writers love the rewrite tools. Tap and hold in Mail, Notes, or a text box, then pick a tone that fits the moment. You can shorten, expand, or clean up rough lines in seconds. It feels a bit like having an editor on call inside every app.
Image Playground brings quick concepts to life. Type a prompt, pick a style, and drop the result into a message or a doc. Genmoji turns a few words into an emoji-style graphic that lands well in group chats.
Siri gets sharper on these phones. Ask follow-ups in a row without repeating context. Point at an on-screen item and ask a question about it. You can say, “Send this to Dad,” while a photo is open, and the assistant understands what “this” means.
Live Translation helps when you speak with someone who uses a different language. Both sides view a rolling transcript on the screen, and the phone speaks lines aloud so the chat keeps moving.
Notification summaries condense long feeds so you see the point faster. You can open the full item when needed, but many people act based on the short digest and save time every day.
When Waiting Makes Sense
If your daily flow doesn’t lean on text drafting, translation, or image tools, you can hold for a year. Security fixes and core apps still run well on recent phones. Watch the feature set grow with point releases, then pick up the next line when prices settle. That path stretches value without losing the perks that matter day to day. Battery life stays steady too overall now.
Bottom Line On Compatibility
If your phone is a 15 Pro, any 16, or anything newer, you’re set. Older lines can still run the current OS and stay secure, but they won’t get this feature stack. Use the tables above to check your gear, run the quick setup steps, and you’ll be ready for text rewrites, image fun, smarter Siri prompts, and handy summaries across apps.