Unlocking Apple intelligence in the EU: A step-by-step guide

Top 3 Key Points:

1. Apple Intelligence is now accessible in the EU for iOS 18.1 beta 2 users.
2. Only specific iPhones and iPads support these AI features.
3. Users need to change language and region settings to access Apple Intelligence.

With the rollout of iOS 18.1 beta 2, Apple has enabled access to its Apple Intelligence features for English speakers in the European Union, a capability that wasn’t available in earlier versions.

Previously, Apple limited the availability of Apple Intelligence to the U.S., partly because it only supported U.S. English. Another reason for the restriction was regulatory concerns related to the EU’s Digital Markets Act. These issues still seem unresolved as iOS 18.1’s official release approaches in October. However, if you have a U.S. App Store ID and a compatible device, you can now test Apple Intelligence in the EU using the beta version.

Compatible Devices

Apple Intelligence offers a suite of advanced features, such as text and email composition, app automation, image generation, and document summarization. However, these functions demand substantial on-device processing power. To use Apple Intelligence, iPhone users must have either an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max. For iPad users, only those with M1 or newer Apple silicon processors are supported.

How to Install iOS 18.1 Beta and Enable Apple Intelligence

If your device meets the compatibility requirements, begin by installing the iOS 18.1 developer beta. Once your device is running the latest beta, follow these steps:

1. Adjust Language & Region Settings:
   • Go to Settings > General > Language & Region.
   • Tap Add Language… and select English (US).
   • Under Region, choose the United States. (This won’t affect your App Store region or purchases.)
2. Enable Apple Intelligence:
   • Return to the main Settings menu and tap Apple Intelligence & Siri.
   • Select Language and choose English (United States).
   • You will now see an option to join the Apple Intelligence waitlist. Tap Join Waitlist.
   • After a short wait, the option to Turn On Apple Intelligence will appear. Tap it to activate the AI features on your device.

Additional Information

Some user reports suggest that signing in with a U.S. App Store ID might be necessary for this method to work. Once enabled, you can explore the Apple Intelligence features available in the iOS 18.1 beta, although some new additions won’t arrive until later next year.

By following these steps, EU users can now experience Apple’s advanced AI capabilities, bridging the gap that previously restricted access to U.S. regions only.