Apple Intelligence is now official: Apple releases iOS 18.1 beta 1 for developers

Apple releases first beta of iOS 18.1 for developers, includes its long-awaited native AI model
iPadOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1 have also been released with identical features

Almost two months after it was first introduced, Apple Intelligence is now official. It is the Californian company’s new set of artificial intelligence models, which, among other things, means having a new and powerful Siri that meets the demands of today.

It had been announced that it would arrive with iOS 18, although no dates were confirmed. It was already known that it was not in the first public and developer betas. The mainstream was pointing out that it could be delayed until 2026, but it has finally arrived with the unusual iOS 18.1 beta 1. And we say unusual because, although it had already been leaked, it is not normal for Apple to launch a beta of a next version with the previous one not yet stable.

iOS 18 hasn’t arrived yet, but there’s already a beta of iOS 18.1

iOS 18 is expected to officially arrive in September for all those who have an iPhone XS or a later model. All of them will enjoy many new features, although not all of them. This first version will not bring Apple Intelligence even to the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, which will be the only ones compatible with this AI (apart from the future iPhone 16).

The new betas are only available on iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, as well as iPad and Mac with the ‘M’ series chip

The fact is that this version, iOS 18.0, has been in beta for developers since June and in public beta since July. It will continue like this until September, but Apple has already released iOS 18.1 for iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. The objective is none other than to bring the first sample of Apple Intelligence. It is a bit strange, since they could have waited for iOS 18.0 to be released or even put it directly in 18.0.

However, Apple intends to give a wider margin to receive feedback from Apple Intelligence. It is the key to any beta, in order to find bugs and correct them. Hence, at least for now, this is going to be a public beta aimed exclusively at developers.

When and how Apple Intelligence finally arrives

iOS 18.1 is expected to arrive in mid-October, which is usually the period in which Apple releases the first of its intermediate system updates. iOS 18.0.1 or iOS 18.0.2 may arrive earlier, but these would only be to correct specific errors and bring security patches.

Once iOS 18.1 arrives, this long-awaited Apple Intelligence will also arrive. However, the plans regarding availability do not change. It will continue to be exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max and, at that point, also to the entire iPhone 16 series (unless there is a major surprise, all of them will have compatibility).

Likewise, these features are available in US English throughout the world except for the European Union and China. As far as we know, there is no way to bypass this restriction in any way (not even having a US Apple ID). In any case, it was already known that Apple Intelligence will not be in Spanish until 2026. What’s more, there are still doubts about whether it can reach Europe, although important steps have recently been taken towards this.