iOS 18.1 with Apple Intelligence arriving in a week: 10 features you must try

iOS 18.1 is expected to debut on October 28 with a limited number of Apple Intelligence features. Notably, the Apple features will only come to selected iPhones.

In Short

• iOS 18.1 is expected to arrive on October 24
• The update will roll-out the first phase of Apple Intelligence
• The total roll-out of Apple Intelligence features will be stretched until 2025

After the launch of iOS 18 with the iPhone 16 series, tech enthusiasts have been eagerly waiting for the next step. At the WWDC 2024, held in July, the company revealed that the features of Apple Intelligence, which was previously meant to come with iOS 18, will debut in this next step. But now the wait is finally over, Apple is eyeing launching iOS 18.1 with Apple Intelligence next week. While the official information is yet to be disclosed, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has been stating that it will be launched on October 28.

That being said, rumours suggest that Indian users will have access to only limited AI-powered tools, and initially, all features will be available only in US English. Apple has announced plans to introduce localised language support in future updates, though support for Indian languages is not expected until next year. As a result, Indian iPhone users may need to wait for full access to Apple Intelligence’s functionalities.

As per the reports, later this month, tech industry will witness the first rollout of Apple Intelligence features. The first roll-out will include only some selected features and the others will be stretched over 2025. The timeline, as per Gurman, is that the iOS 18.2 update will come in December, which will introduce ChatGPT integration, Genmoji, and Image Playground. And early 2025 will bring iOS 18.3 and iOS 18.4, featuring a revamped Siri experience. Here are a few features coming this October 28.

iOS 18.1 with Apple Intelligence: New features

Writing Tools: Apple Intelligence introduces advanced writing tools that proofread text for spelling, grammar, word choice, and sentence structure. These tools can also rewrite content to enhance clarity and adjust the tone without altering the message. Users can select from three tone options: Friendly, Professional, or Concise.

Enhanced Photos App: The Photos app now lets users create Memory Movies by providing a simple description, like “My cat in 2024” or “Orlando in the summer.” The feature automatically selects relevant photos and music. Users can further customise the movie with the Memory Mixes option, selecting a mood to guide the audio or adding specific images and scenes to the prompt.

Clean-Up Tool: A new Clean-Up Tool uses AI to remove unwanted elements from photos without altering the main subject. This tool is similar to Android’s Magic Eraser and offers users precise control over their images.

Revamped Siri UI: Apple is giving Siri a complete redesign, with a new interface launching this month. Unlike previous versions that lit up only part of the screen, the new Siri UI will illuminate all edges. Additional AI-powered features tied to Apple Intelligence will follow in future updates.

Priority Notifications: Apple Intelligence can now analyse notifications and prioritise the most important ones, which will appear at the top of a new Priority Notifications section. It also summarises lengthy or grouped notifications and integrates with Focus Modes to reduce interruptions, ensuring only relevant alerts are shown.

Customisable Control Centre: The Control Centre in iOS 18 is fully customisable. In iOS 18.1, Apple introduces dedicated toggles for individual connectivity options, which were previously nested in a unified widget. A new Reset Control Centre feature in the Settings app allows users to restore the layout to factory defaults.

Call Recording and Transcripts: Apple has extended its call recording and transcription feature to the iPhone XS and newer models, expanding beyond the iPhone 15 and 16. While on a call, users can tap a new icon to start recording, with the other party being notified. After the call, the system generates a transcript. Transcription is supported in English (US, Australia), Spanish (US, Mexico), Mandarin (China Mainland), Cantonese (Hong Kong), and Korean (South Korea).

Camera Control Upgrades for iPhone 16: iOS 18.1 adds a new feature for iPhone 16 users, allowing them to switch to the selfie camera by simply swiping within the Camera Control interface.

Visual Intelligence for iPhone 16: The Visual Intelligence feature allows users to identify objects and locations through the iPhone camera, leveraging Apple Intelligence for real-time learning. This feature is exclusive to the iPhone 16 and can be activated using a dedicated button within the Camera Control interface.