Apple Intelligence has a waitlist, but you can join it early today - here’s how to skip the queue
Jump the line
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Did you knowAppleIntelligence has a waitlist? Crazy right? Especially considering you’ve probably been waiting since you bought your iPhone 16 over a month ago to access Apple’s AI features.
That said, theApple Intelligencewaitlist seems pretty smooth at the moment and you normally only need to wait a few minutes. However,Apple Intelligence releases next weekand the waiting times to gain access to AI might take longer than we’ve experienced in the iOS 18.1 beta.
But you don’t have to wait untiliOS 18.1becomes available to join the Apple Intelligence waitlist. Not only can you jump the queue today, but you’ll also be able to access Apple Intelligence early by following these simple steps.
Here’s how to join the Apple Intelligence waitlist and skip the inevitable waiting times when Apple AI launches next week.
Apple Intelligence compatibility
Apple Intelligenceworks with all the latest iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Before trying to enable Apple Intelligence make sure to double check you own one of the compatible devices below:
Quick steps
How to get Apple Intelligence
1. Update to the Apple Intelligence Release Candidate
To get access to Apple Intelligence early, you must first update to iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 or macOS Sequoia 15.1 Release Candidate.
To do so, you’ll first need to join Apple’sBeta Software Programfor free. Once you’ve done so, on iPhone or iPad simply openSettings, thenGeneral, and tapSoftware Update. Now selectBeta Updatesand chooseiOS 18/iPadOS 18 Developer Beta.
For Mac users, click theApple logoin the Menu Bar, then selectSystem Settings, followed bySoftware Update. Now selectBeta Updatesand choosemacOS Sequoia 15.1 Developer Beta.
If you need a more detailed explanation of how to update your devices, check out ourhow to update a MacBookorhow to update an iPhoneguides
Now that you’ve confirmed your device is compatible with Apple Intelligence and updated to the Release Candidate, it’s time to join the Apple Intelligence waitlist. The process is slightly different for iPhone and iPad compared to Mac, so we’ll cover these independently.
It’s also worth noting that your device must be set to US English to use Apple Intelligence at the moment. If it’s not, you can either wait until your language is updated to take advantage of AI, or change your device language and Siri language to US English by following these steps:
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How to join the Apple Intelligence waitlist early on iPhone or iPad
OpenSettings, then navigate toApple Intelligence & Siri. From there, toggle onApple Intelligence. You’ll be added to the waitlist and your iPhone or iPad will send a notification when Apple Intelligence is ready to go. In our testing, this process took just a few minutes.
Now that you’ve joined the waitlist, you won’t need to go through the process again when Apple Intelligence launches next week.
How to join the Apple Intelligence waitlist early on Mac
ClickSystemSettings, then navigate toApple Intelligence & Siri. From there, clickTurn on Apple Intelligence. You’ll be added to the Waitlist and your Mac will pop up with a notification when Apple Intelligence is ready.
Get Started with Apple Intelligence
Many users will be shocked to see a waitlist when they install iOS 18.1 and look to access Apple Intelligence for the first time next week. As said above, the process has been incredibly smooth so far, although who knows what will happen when the general public start to jump on the Apple AI train.
The best thing about using the Release Candidate, barring any major bugs, is that it’s the exact release Apple will ship to consumers next week, so not only can you skip the waitlist and not worry when everyone and their gran tries to use Apple Intelligence breaking the servers, but you can use these awesome features early.
Our guide covering all theApple Intelligence featuresbreaks down everything the new tools have to offer. If you’d like to check out our thoughts on Apple Intelligence or maybe you’re in the market for a new iPhone to take advantage of AI, check out ouriPhone 16 Pro review.
John-Anthony Disotto is TechRadar’s Senior Writer, AI, ensuring you get the latest information on Tech’s biggest buzzword. An expert in Apple, he was previously iMore’s How To Editor and has a monthly column in MacFormat. Living in Scotland, where he worked for Apple as a technician focused on iOS and iPhone repairs at the Genius Bar, John-Anthony has used the Apple ecosystem for over a decade and is an award-winning journalist with years of experience in editorial.
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