This week is turning out to be monumental for Apple enthusiasts. On Monday, Apple officially launched iOS 18, watchOS 11, and macOS 15 for the general public. Just one day later, sales will commence for the new iPhone 16 lineup, including the iPhone 16 Pro and the Apple Watch Series 10. To top it all off, Apple is starting to roll out its initial public betas featuring Apple Intelligence functionalities.
Beginning today, September 19, anyone can download the public betas for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS 15.1. A major highlight of these public betas is the inclusion of Apple Intelligence features, which were previously exclusive to developer betas for these software updates.
Although the official rollout of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS 15.1 isn’t scheduled until October, this is an ideal opportunity for those eager to test Apple Intelligence without the risks associated with a developer beta.
Once you download these latest public betas, you’ll gain access to an array of Apple Intelligence features, including:
- Writing Tools
- Enhanced Siri functionality
- Natural language search, Clean Up tool, and the ability to create Memory Movies in the Photos app
- Priority messages, email summaries, and Smart Reply options in the Mail app
- Message summaries and Smart Reply in the Messages app
- Transcription summaries in the Phone and Notes apps
We previously tested Apple’s Writing Tools and found it to be a mixed bag. These tools can help you proofread and even rewrite your text in different tones—whether you want to sound friendlier, more professional, or concise. You can access Writing Tools through any app that has a text input field. For iPhone users, simply highlight your text, and in the context menu that appears, select the new Writing Tools option.
The improved Siri included in these public betas features a new design, the option to type your requests, and enhanced knowledge about Apple products. For instance, if you ask Siri, “How do I take a screen recording?” you’ll receive detailed, step-by-step guidance. Siri is also more adept at understanding commands when you misspeak or hesitate. For example, if you stipulate, “Siri, set an alarm for 5:30 … no, actually set an alarm for 6:30,” the assistant will more effectively interpret your request.
However, it’s worth noting that some anticipated features are absent from these public betas. Notably, the integration of ChatGPT with Siri is not included, nor are Siri’s personal context capabilities, which enable the assistant to reference your messages, calendar, and more.
Furthermore, tools for image creation, such as Image Playground and Genmoji, are not available at this time. The much-anticipated Priority Notifications feature is also notably absent. All these functionalities are expected to be rolled out sometime in the coming months or next year, without a specific timeline given.
The Apple Intelligence features can be accessed on all models of the iPhone 16, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. iPads equipped with an M1 chip or newer, as well as Macs with an M1 chip or later, can also utilize these features.
If you’re interested in downloading the public betas for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, or macOS 15.1, head over to the Apple Beta Software Program website, sign in with your Apple account, and follow the prompts. After installing the public beta, navigate to the Settings app, select Apple Intelligence & Siri, and tap on the Join the Apple Intelligence Waitlist button. You should receive access to Apple Intelligence features within a few hours, along with a notification to confirm that you’re able to use them.
Many team members at Digital Trends, myself included, are downloading these public betas immediately and will share more insights shortly. Stay tuned for updates.