Apple today (July 29) released developer betas for its iPhone, iPad, and Mac software, including many of the Apple Intelligence features first previewed at WWDC 2024 this summer.

Developer betas for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 are now available for download for registered developers, and include writing tools, natural language search capabilities for photos, priority message sorting for email, and several Siri improvements that Other features not included in this release, such as Image Playground and Genemoji, will likely be available in subsequent updates.

Developer betas are usually released before public betas that include the same features, but Apple has not announced when the public betas for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 will be released. However, it is likely to be at some point this summer, before Apple's new software is released in the fall.

Speaking of its full release, the fact that Apple has released separate x.1 betas that include Apple Intelligence features means that these features will not be included in the first release of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, but instead will be included in subsequent Bloomberg's Mark Gurman first reported on Apple Intelligence's release plans over the weekend.

Details on the beta release of Apple Intelligence and the features currently available are as follows.

Apple Intelligence functionality is available through newly released developer betas for iPhone, iPad, and Mac software. These updates are strictly for developers who have paid an annual fee to Apple, but anyone can download the developer beta for free. Simply go to developer.apple.com for the device you are trying to get the beta for and sign in with your Apple ID.

Once signed in, check for software updates for your device. For example, on the iPhone, you can find it by tapping the "General" menu in the "Settings" app and selecting "Software Updates. You will want to specify that you are downloading a beta version with Apple Intelligence features - iOS 18.1 for iPhones, iPadOS 18.1 for iPads, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 for Macs. normal iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia beta versions do not have the Apple Intelligence feature.

After installing the update, you will need to request permission to participate in the Apple Intelligence beta test. This is a process Apple has in place to manage access to secure servers used for some of the AI features outside of the device. For example, on an iPhone, go to "Settings" and select "Apple Intelligence and Siri" and from there tap the link to join the Apple Intelligence waiting list. Within a few hours, you will be approved, in the form of a notification.

The usual warnings about beta software apply here as well. You should only download these developer betas if you are aware that the software is very incomplete. This means that you may encounter bugs or unfinished features. This is even more so with a developer beta as opposed to a beta for the general public. Instead, use a backup iPhone, iPad, or Mac if available.

As a reminder, not all current Apple devices can support the Apple Intelligence feature. In other words, to run any of the betas, you will need an iPhone, iPad, or Mac with sufficient horsepower to run these AI features.

For iOS 18.1, that means either the iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max. iPads with the M1 chip or later will support iPadOS 18.1, and M1 Macs will support macOS Sequoia 15.1.

Initial Apple Intelligence features available in the developer beta will focus on writing tools, Mail improvements, and Siri changes. Other features will appear in subsequent releases, and Apple has indicated that some Siri improvements, such as on-screen recognition, will be rolled out within the next year.

The writing tool, one of the main pillars of Apple Intelligence, promises suggestions on tone and wording, proofreading of work, and text summarization. The iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 beta versions also add transcription capabilities to the recorder built into the Voice Memos app and the updated Notes app, so you can get summaries of transcribed voice recordings.

The transcription feature works not only with Apple's built-in apps, but also with third-party apps that use the standard input text system.

Siri is getting an overhaul at Apple Intelligence, and these first beta versions showcase some of the first changes to Apple's virtual assistant. It starts with a new look for Siri, replacing the circular blob of light on the screen with a glowing light that wraps around the screen to indicate that the assistant is active.

In addition, users will be able to switch from voice commands to typing for those times when they don't want to speak loudly to Siri: a double tap on the bottom of the iPhone or iPad screen will reveal a keyboard for entering Siri queries and commands.

The new developer beta also adds the ability for Siri to understand the context of one query to the next. For example, you can ask Siri to create a calendar event and then a reminder.

The Mail app now displays messages it identifies as priority emails at the top of the inbox. Messages with specific deadlines or calls to action are prioritized.

You will be able to search for videos and photos using natural language." Queries such as "a picture of my daughter eating a cheeseburger" will now generate results that reflect what you just typed. It should be easier to find the exact moment of a particular image or video without having to use generic keywords.

The new Memory Movie feature allows you to enter a specific prompt to turn a photo or video stored in the Photos app into a movie. You can enter your own prompts or use prompts suggested by Apple Intelligence. Finished movies also have their own chapters and themes.