(NEXSTAR) — Apple made waves when it rolled out iOS 18 in fall, bringing a host of AI-powered features to iPhones thanks to Apple Intelligence.
Initially, you had to opt into Apple Intelligence features. The latest update, iOS 18.3, is changing that. According to Apple’s release notes, “For users new or upgrading to iOS 18.3, Apple Intelligence will be enabled automatically during iPhone onboarding.”
If you previously opted into Apple Intelligence, you will not be impacted. You’ll notice some changes, but more on that in a moment.
Here’s what to know if you haven’t used Apple Intelligence yet — and how to turn it off after updating.
What is Apple Intelligence?
Billed as “AI for the rest of us,” Apple Intelligence puts AI directly into your hands. It’s like Siri but with more capabilities and features.
It can be used to help you write texts and emails, summarize long texts and other notifications, and create your own emojis. Using “your personal context,” Siri can also better assist you “in ways that are unique to you.”
Apple says that while Apple Intelligence on your device is meant to be tailored specifically to you, it does not collect your personal information, it’s only “aware” of it.
It’s worth noting that Apple Intelligence is only available on iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
How can I turn it off?
While Apple Intelligence will automatically turn on after updating to iOS 18.3, you can turn the feature off.
In the Settings menu, you’ll find a section called “Apple Intelligence & Siri” (if you don’t see it right away, try searching it at the top of the Settings screen).
Once you tap on that, you will see a toggle next to Apple Intelligence. If it is green, tap it to turn the feature off. Should you want Apple Intelligence back on, you can switch the toggle back to green.
You can also make other changes to Apple Intelligence and Siri on this screen.
What new features are coming to Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.3?
If you already have Apple Intelligence on your device, you may notice some changes after updating to iOS 18.3.
Apple will reportedly disable notification summaries for News & Entertainment apps. The temporary change comes after multiple reported instances of incorrectly summarized notifications — in one, the BBC reports that Apple Intelligence falsely claimed a push notification from its app said Luigi Mangione, accused of fatally shooting United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, had shot himself.
That update is not listed in Apple’s iOS 18.3 release notes.
If you have an iPhone 16, you’ll also see updates to Visual Intelligence: you can add events to your calendar by taking a picture of a poster or flyer, and it can better identify plants and animals (something iPhones are already largely capable of doing).
What else is in the update — and who can get it?
Like other Apple updates, iOS 18.3 also has multiple security updates. Among those are fixes that block attackers from causing unexpected system termination or corrupting process memory using the local network and unexpected app termination via remote access.
Also, in the Calculator app, a mathematical operation can now be repeated by tapping the equal button again.
If you were able to download iOS 18 when it was released, this update should be available to you now. If you have not yet updated to iOS 18, you’ll need to do that first. Any iPhone 8 models and older are not be able to get iOS 18.
