Can't find Apple's AI features after upgrading to iOS 18.1? Do this

As someone who tests artificial intelligence (AI) for living and has been stuck in Apple’s walled garden for years, I decided last night to update my phone to iOS 18.1 so that when I woke up, I could start tinkering with the features. However, to my disappointment, I could not find them. 

That is because I did not take the required extra step to join the Apple Intelligence waitlist. Don’t let the term “waitlist” put you off, though; it only took minutes for another ZDNET writer and me to get off the waitlist. 

Also: iOS 18.1 with Apple Intelligence is here. Try these 5 AI features first

To join the waitlist, click on Settings > Apple Intelligence and then Siri > Join the Apple Intelligence Waitlist. Once you are off the waitlist, you will be notified that Apple intelligence is ready to be activated for your device. 

This does not mean your device will be automatically updated to include Apple Intelligence when you are off the list. Instead, you have to go back into the Settings tab and click on “Turn on Apple Intelligence,” which will show up where the “Join the Apple Intelligence waitlist” prompt previously was. 

The waitlist is likely a precaution because the new AI features supported by Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1 are still in beta, prone to mistakes, and not entirely accurate. Since the features aren’t entirely ironed out yet, Apple may want to ensure that only people who really want to try them are exposed to them for now.

Also: My biggest regret after updating my iPhone to iOS 18 (and I’m not alone)

Apple even warns that “Apple Intelligence is currently in beta. Apple Intelligence uses generative models, and outputs may be inaccurate, unexpected, or offensive. Check important information for accuracy.” 

Once you turn it on, you can access various AI features, including Writing Tools, Notification Summaries, recording and summarizing calls and other audio in Notes, and a revamped Siri. 

Also: How iOS 18 turned my Apple Watch into the productivity tool of my sci-fi dreams

Many of the features Apple introduced at WWDC are still missing, including the highly anticipated Genmoji, Image Playground, ChatGPT Integration, and, perhaps the most helpful of them all, Personal Context, which allows AI to use all of the information it knows about you to provide more comprehensive assistance.