Apple’s M4 Macs are here, but you’ll need to install a quick macOS Sequoia update first to unlock all the Apple Intelligence goodness

Unlock Apple Intelligence with a quick macOS Sequoia update for your M4 Mac

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

If you’re rushing to get one ofApple’s freshly-releasedM4 Macs, you’ll need to install a software update immediately upon starting to use it to unlock all of its exciting new capabilities. If you ordered right away and receive yourM4 iMac,Mac mini, orMacBook Proon November 8, you’ll find that these devices are running a unique version ofmacOS Sequoia15.0 (24A8332) made just for these devices, which doesn’t yet includeApple Intelligence.

In order to access macOS Sequoia’s new AI-driven features, including Writing Tools, a smarter Siri with new features and design, smart replies, notification summaries, and health hearing features for theAirPods Pro 2, you’ll then need to update your M4 Mac device to macOS Sequoia 15.1 (build number 24B2083).

If you’re restoring data from a backup of another Mac device that was already running macOS Sequoia 15.1, you’ll still have to update your device’s software as part of the data transfer process to make sure all the new features work seamlessly, according to MacRumors.

macOS Sequoia also introduced the well-receivediPhone Mirroringfeature to desktop and this update adds drag-and-drop capabilities to it.

Will Apple Intelligence be the first AI tool to win users over?

AppleIntelligence is expected to be a pretty significant development both for Apple and for consumer AI products in general. Going by Apple’s rhetoric, it’s invested a lot of time and resources into Apple Intelligence, while taking its time after other consumer AI products have bolted out of the gate to try and capitalize on the hype. Apple makes products that feel sleek and intuitive, and it’ll get people using Apple Intelligence and features powered by it if it successfully creates at least the illusion of easy, responsive AI.

Of course, time will tell if Apple is successful at making its users feel like this. M4 users in particular are well poised to feel the benefit of Apple Intelligence, withthe M4 chips offering AI workload processing times of up to 46% faster than its predecessor, the M3 (according to Apple’s own figures, at least), and I’m eager to see how it impacts the overall macOS user experience along with Sequoia’s new developments.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE…

Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.

Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.

Kristina is a UK-based Computing Writer, and is interested in all things computing, software, tech, mathematics and science. Previously, she has written articles about popular culture, economics, and miscellaneous other topics.

She has a personal interest in the history of mathematics, science, and technology; in particular, she closely follows AI and philosophically-motivated discussions.

Your Mac’s menu bar will finally get a weather widget in macOS Sequoia 15.2 – plus these Apple Intelligence features

Planning to buy Apple’s new USB-C Magic accessories? Make sure you’re running macOS Sequoia 15.1 first

Cybersecurity is business survival and CISOs need to act now