Apple Intelligence has finally landed in the UK with this huge upgrade from the US technology giant aimed at making your device a whole lot smarter. This blockbuster free software boost was first announced all the way back in June at Apple’s WWDC Developers Conference in Cupertino, California. Since its grand unveiling at Apple Park, millions of UK iPhone owners have been waiting patiently to see it land on their handsets, and today is the day when it officially becomes available.
As long as you have a compatible iPhone, you should now see iOS 18.2 in your Software Updates. Once downloaded, it will add a slew of clever features aimed at making life a little easier.
These include smart new writing tools that can edit your emails, change the tone of your chats or even write a whole message for you. If you have a long thread of emails, Apple Intelligence can summarise things automatically to save you from having to trawl through endless messages, and Smart Replies can write a quick message without you lifting a finger.
Along with those writing tools, there are plenty more things to be discovered inside Apple Intelligence.
This smart update can also remove annoying objects from photos with just one tap using the new Clean Up tool. Apple is keen to point out that this editing feature is only meant for tidying things up rather than changing the whole context of a photo.
READ MORE: What is Apple Intelligence? Release date, features and how to get it
There are big improvements to Siri as well, with Apple’s personal assistant now being more resilient when asking questions – that means if you stumble, pause or change your mind, Siri will still understand your question.
ChatGPT access has also been added in a bid to improve answers along with offering additional writing tools. ChatGPT can be turned off if it’s not something you want your iPhone accessing.
Other nice extras include the ability to make and send unique emojis – called Genmojis – to friends and family and a service called Image Playground has also been added which lets you create art just by typing in a description.
If you’ve dreamed of being an artist but your drawing skills don’t quite match your imagination, then Image Wand comes included and will transform a rough sketch into something more gallery-worthy.
Apple Intelligence also makes it easier to find photos in your library and create instant movie memories just by searching for events, people or places.
Finally, there’s Visual Intelligence, which lets you scan documents, translate text and even find what an object is just by pointing the camera at it.
It’s a big upgrade from Apple but sadly, it’s only available on certain devices including all of the latest iPhone 16 range along with the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
If you have one of those new call makers in your pocket, you should find iOS 18.2 available to download now. Just head to Settings > General > Software Updates and tap Download and Install.
Once loaded onto your device you can easily switch Apple Intelligence on. Just head to Settings, and tap or click Apple Intelligence & Siri. Generative models will begin to download after users start this setup.
“We’re thrilled to introduce a new chapter in Apple innovation. Apple Intelligence will transform what users can do with our products — and what our products can do for our users,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO during WWDC back in June.
“Our unique approach combines generative AI with a user’s personal context to deliver truly helpful intelligence. And it can access that information in a completely private and secure way to help users do the things that matter most to them. This is AI as only Apple can deliver it, and we can’t wait for users to experience what it can do.”
