Apple today released the first public betas of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, allowing its public beta testers to test the software ahead of its planned October launch.
Public beta testers now have the choice of opting into the new betas with Apple Intelligence or sticking with the standard beta track. While the new betas are now available for all devices, Apple Intelligence features will still require an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max, a device from the iPhone 16 lineup that will be released tomorrow, or an iPad or Mac powered by an Apple Silicon chip.
Public beta testers who have signed up for Apple’s beta testing program can download the iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia updates by opening the Settings app, going to “General,” then “Software Update,” section and turning on the Public Beta option.
iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 are the first updates that includes Apple Intelligence features.
While some Apple Intelligence features won’t be available until later this year or early next year, several features are available as of today, including Writing Tools, Siri’s revamped design, the option to move between voice commands and typing to Siri, summaries for transcripts and other content, the new Mail categories and smart replies, smart replies in Messages, and more.
Features that are not available today include Image Playground, Genmoji, ChatGPT integration, the option to erase objects in Photos, Priority Notifications, and other Siri capabilities like the ability to do more in apps and on-screen awareness.
All iOS 18.1 users do now have access to phone call recording and transcribing, with recorded calls saved in the Notes app, but phone call summarization from those transcriptions is an Apple Intelligence feature. Today’s update also adds spatial photo capabilities to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
Apple Intelligence will be available to the public later in October after developers have thoroughly tested it.