App Store users can now get test versions of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 from Apple. People who sign up for these betas can use the first AI tools that Apple has released.Mac says that the test version of Apple Intelligence has changes to Siri's look and the ability to remember the context of multiple requests. It also has new features in Mail, such as smart reply and email highlights, and changes to Photos, such as natural language search.
You can now get the first release of iOS 18.1
People who have signed up to try it can now get the first test build of iOS 18.1. iOS 18.1 hasn't been tested by the public yet, and there's no plan for when it will be. You heard that right—only the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max can get the update. They are the only iPhones that can use Apple Intelligence.
iPad users can now get iOS 18.1 as well. It only works with iPads that have at least the M1 chip.After updating to iOS 18.1, go to Settings, tap on the new Apple Intelligence menu, and then tap on "Join the waitlist." This will let you ask to use Apple Intelligence. You will get a push message as soon as you can take the Apple Intelligence test.
As soon as the main version of a new iOS version came out, Apple would try the x.1 version. We thought that the iOS 18 beta would be out all summer and then the iOS 18.1 beta would come out right away. After that, iOS 18.1 would come out in October, followed by beta testing for 18.2 and so on.
This year, things are very different. You can now start testing iOS 18.1 from Apple more than a month before iOS 18 comes out. Developers could get it on July 29. However, it can only be used on devices that work with Apple Intelligence, such as the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max and M-series iPads. It's not clear yet if or when the public test users will be able to get it.
Find out how to get the Apple Intelligence Beta.
Apps for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac now have Apple Intelligence features in their new developer betas. People who pay Apple a membership fee every year are the only ones who can really use these changes. However, anyone can get a free developer test. To get the test, all you have to do is use your Apple ID to sign in at developer.apple.com on the hardware you want to use.
Once you're logged in, check to see if there are any software changes for your device. In the case of an iPhone, open the Settings app, tap the General menu, and then tap Software Updates. To get the test version of iOS 18.1 for iPhones, iPadOS 18.1 for iPads, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 for Macs, you need to make sure you say so. Normal betas of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia will not have any Apple Intelligence features.
After you load the update, you'll need to ask for permission to join Apple Intelligence beta testing. Here's how Apple controls who can get to the safe computers that some AI tools that run off-device use. On an iPhone, go to Settings and choose Apple Intelligence and Siri to get in line for Apple Intelligence. After that, click on the link. You should get a message in the next few hours telling you that you were accepted.
Be careful with this test program as with any other. You should only sign up for one of these developer betas if you don't mind that the software is still being worked on. There are more bugs and features that aren't finished in a private beta than in a public beta. It's not a good idea to put the test on something you use every day. If you have an extra iPhone, iPad, or Mac, use that instead.
Apple began adding AI-powered features today, July 29. Apple recently put out developer betas for software that works on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. These betas include many of the Apple Intelligence features that were first shown at WWDC 2024 this summer.
Developers who have signed up can now get free betas for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1. There are some changes to Siri on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac with these betas. Photos now has natural language search, Mail now sorts messages in order of importance, and writing tools are added. Not in this release are some tools, like Image Playground and Genemoji. They will likely be added in later ones.
Most of the time, a developer beta with the same features comes out before a general test. It's not clear yet when the public betas for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1 will be out. That will probably happen sometime this summer, though, before Apple's new software comes out in the fall.
Limitations on use
On Monday, Apple released the first test for iOS 18.1 developers. It has Apple Intelligence, which has been a long time coming, and some new AI tools that you can use right away.But keep this in mind: you can only use Apple Intelligence and download the iOS 18.1 dev test if you have an iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max.
Apple Intelligence lets you organize your messages, look at your voice transcripts, make your own emoji, and get your emails and Safari articles summed up. It also lets you manage your emails and other compatible devices, and cut down on delays. Of course, Siri will also use AI to help you more.
If you don't have an iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max, you can still use the test version of iOS 18. Many new features, not AI-based, have been added. These include a redesigned home screen, a control center that you can personalize, locked and secret apps, scheduled text messages, a new password manager app, text messaging via satellite, and a Photos app that has been completely rebuilt.
To become an Apple Developer, you used to need to pay $100 a year. Last year, Apple made a free level of the Apple Developer program. This was based on the iOS 17 developer version. You can get any developer version for free if you have an Apple ID.
How do I get iOS 18.1 beta?
Users will need to have an iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max and sign up for a waiting list in the Apple Settings app after updating in order to use the service. To do this, more complicated requests are sent to Apple computers. After getting the test update, make a new copy of your iPhone or iPad in case you want to drop again.
If you want to get iOS 18.1 beta, you first need to get iOS 18 beta. Once iOS 18.1 beta is up and running, go to Settings and press the new Apple Intelligence & Siri button, which is right below Accessibility.
When will Apple Intelligence come out?
When iOS 18 10.0 comes out in September with new iPhones, Apple Intelligence will not be in it. It will be added in a separate update called iOS 18.1, which should come out a few weeks after iOS 18.
Developers who have signed up can now get free betas for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1. There are some changes to Siri on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac with these betas. Photos now has natural language search, Mail now sorts messages in order of importance, and writing tools are added. Not in this release are some tools, like Image Playground and Genemoji. They will likely be added in later ones.
Most of the time, a developer beta with the same features comes out before a general test. It's not clear yet when the public betas for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1 will be out. That will probably happen sometime this summer, though, before Apple's new software comes out in the fall.
Apple began adding AI-powered features today, July 29. Apple recently put out developer betas for software that works on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. These betas include many of the Apple Intelligence features that were first shown at WWDC 2024 this summer.
Needs for hardware
Just so you know, right now not all Apple devices can use Apple Intelligence features. To put it another way, you'll need an iPhone, iPad, or Mac with enough power to run these AI tools to try out any of them.
For iOS 18.1, that's either an iPhone 15 Pro or an iPhone 15 Pro Max. It's the same for Macs: any Mac with an M1 chip can run macOS Sequoia 15.1. Any iPad with at least an M1 chip can too.
Get the developer version for iOS 18.1 here.
People who make apps can test them on new versions of iOS with early developer betas like this one. In this way, developers can also find bugs and share them. This helps Apple improve the software before it goes public. This is a main reason why you might not want to install iOS 18.1 on your phone: it has loads of bugs.
Something might be wrong with your phone and make it not work right. Some of your favorite apps might not work, and if they do, they might crash for no reason. Your phone might not work as well as it should because of the developer version. It might run slower, drain the battery faster, or even get too hot.
Deal with Apple Products
I've had developer betas on my iPhone for ten years now, and I haven't had any major issues. It's annoying when apps crash or batteries die quickly, but I've always been able to handle it.
If you have an extra iPhone, you should test iOS 18.1 on that one. The first iPhone won't be something you use every day, so any bugs or other issues won't bother you as much. You can use your main phone to run the iOS 18.1 developer test if you don't have a separate one.
If you don't want to deal with the developer version, you can still get iOS 18. Now that iOS 18's general test is out, it's much more stable. But there isn't a public test of iOS 18.1 yet; there is only one for iOS 18, which doesn't have the AI tools.
Get the developer version for iOS 18.1 here.
Before you get the iOS 18.1 developer version, you should know a few things.It works with phones. You can only get iOS 18.1 on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. After the XS, you can use iOS 18 on your iPhone.
Get a new phone. If you want to switch to a developer test, you should first get the most recent public version. iPad and iPhone users can now get iOS 17.5.1. Your phone must be running at least iOS 16.4 to get the iOS 18.1 developer test over the air.
Also, make a copy of your iPhone. You can't just back this up normally. You should keep a copy on your machine. A backup that has been saved can't be changed or removed on its own. Use your Mac to set up your iPhone. In Finder, select your iPhone and click "Back Up Now." Next, go to "Manage Backups," right-click the backup you just made, and choose "Archive." The steps are the same on Windows, but the iTunes app is used instead.
How do I get iOS 18.1 beta?
Users will need to have an iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max and sign up for a waiting list in the Apple Settings app after updating in order to use the service. To do this, more complicated requests are sent to Apple computers. After getting the test update, make a new copy of your iPhone or iPad in case you want to drop again.
If you want to get iOS 18.1 beta, you first need to get iOS 18 beta. Once iOS 18.1 beta is up and running, go to Settings and press the new Apple Intelligence & Siri button, which is right below Disabled.
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