iOS 18.1 Will Bring a Waiting List to Apple Intelligence. Here's How to Skip the Queue

The first Apple Intelligence features are coming next week in iOS 18.1. If you have an iPhone model that’s compatible with AI, the software update will bring a ton of new features. But not right away — Apple Intelligence will come with a waitlist. Here’s what you can do now to skip the line.

The Process for Unlocking Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1

When iOS 18.1 launches next week, it will be available for a wide range of iPhones. But only the following devices will support Apple Intelligence:

all iPhone 16 and 16 Pro models
iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max

But having a compatible iPhone isn't the only requirement for Apple Intelligence. Apple will also use a waitlist to provide access to Apple Intelligence features.

Once you install iOS 18.1, you'll need to go to Settings ⇾ Apple Intelligence & Siri to join the waitlist.

The length of your waitlist will be determined by demand.

During the beta testing period, users generally didn’t have to wait too long. But that could change when iOS 18.1 hits the masses next week.

But there’s one surefire way to get access to Apple Intelligence early.

>Join the Apple Intelligence Waitlist Today

You can join the Apple Intelligence waitlist today. How? By installing the iOS 18.1 public beta.

Apple just released the iOS 18.1 RC beta today.

RC stands for release candidate, meaning the software will likely be identical to what’s released to all users next week.

But you can join Apple's beta software program for free and get access to the same update a week early.

Top comment from bluetiger20

7 people like it

…..You can also install 18.1 on your iPad. Or 15.1 on your Mac. If any device passes the waitlist, all devices with the same iCloud account will also get Apple Intelligence once their device meets the requirements or gets 18.1 or later.

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More importantly, once you install iOS 18.1 RC, you'll be able to join the Apple Intelligence waitlist without having to wait another day.

That's right: You'll be ahead of the potential millions of iOS 18.1 users who join the waitlist next week. And you'll get the exact same experience with iOS 18.1, with minimal bugs or performance issues.

And hey, if you like Apple Intelligence, you'll also be ready to install the upcoming iOS 18.2 beta with even more useful AI features like Genmoji.

Are you joining the Apple Intelligence waitlist early? Let us know in the comments.