With iOS 18.2 downloaded on your iPhone, the first thing you’ll want to get set up is Apple Intelligence.
That’s the collective name for Apple’s AI features that can re-write text, whip up custom emojis, and hand over more demanding tasks to ChatGPT, among other things.
But, there are a few caveats you need to know first. Firstly, Apple Intelligence works only on the latest iPhones, including the iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max and the iPhone 16.
It also requires you to join a waitlist (or two) before you can use it — and fiddle with some settings to turn on ChatGPT.
Here’s how to unlock Apple Intelligence and all its AI-powered extras.
How to download iOS 18.2
Before using the sparkly new AI perks, you must update your iPhone to iOS 18.2.
While Apple Intelligence has technically been available since late October, the release of iOS 18.1 required you to change your region to the US.
Thanks to the arrival of iOS 18.2, you can now get the local UK version and not worry about the AI botching your emails with American English.
To download iOS 18.2 manually, head to the Settings area, then select General. Tap Software Update and follow the on-screen prompts to download and install the iOS 18 update.
How to turn on Apple Intelligence
Staying in your settings, go back to the main page, scroll down and tap “Apple Intelligence & Siri.”
Now, select “Join the Apple Intelligence Waitlist” to request access to the AI features, including Writing Tools and the new and improved Siri. Apple will then ask you to confirm your interest in joining.
Once that’s done, you’ll be in the queue for Apple Intelligence, and receive a notification when the AI is ready to be switched on.
To do so, head back to the same place in settings and toggle Apple Intelligence on. Wait times for the AI features can vary from 15 minutes to several hours.
How to turn on Siri’s ChatGPT extension
With ChatGPT working with Siri, you can turn to OpenAI’s AI chatbot when Apple’s assistant doesn’t help.
First, however, you have to activate the ChatGPT extension. Once again, this can be done via settings and the Apple Intelligence and Siri section.
Scroll down and tap the option for ChatGPT. Now, toggle “Use ChatGPT” on to get the AI bot working on your iPhone.
Below that option, you can sign in to your ChatGPT account, which allows you to access your saved chat logs. This enables ChatGPT Plus subscribers to use the latest AI models and features.
Don’t forget, you can also type to Siri with ChatGPT by double-tapping on the bottom of your iPhone screen.
How to turn on Image Playground and Genmoji
There may also be a secondary waitlist for Apple’s AI-powered image creation features, including Genmoji, Image Playground, and the Image Wand tool for iPads. The latter turns your rough sketches or notes into illustrations.
To start using these features, you’ll first need to open the new Playground app on your iPhone, which should have been automatically installed with iOS 18.2.
Now, tap to request access and complete any additional confirmation steps. Like Apple Intelligence, Apple will notify you when Image Playground is ready.
