Update 31/07/2024 5:56PM: While I originally thought you needed to change your App Store region to get access to Apple Intelligence in Canada, I was wrong. You only need to change your iPhone’s region. You can find a full guide for how to test the feature on your iPhone or iPad in Canada here.
The story below was incorrect since you can test Apple Intelligence in Canada without needing to cancel and resubscribe to your active Apple subscriptions. That being said since Apple Intelligence is slated to launch in the U.S. first, the parts speculating on a full Canadian launch still stand.
The article below has been updated to reflect the changes.
Apple’s elusive AI features are on the horizon with today’s iOS 18 developer beta, but only a handful of Apple Intelligence features are available in the first beta. Sadly for us Canadians, testing these features means more than just changing Siri’s language.
According to 9to5Mac, Apple’s AI writing tools, AI organization in Mail, Siri and more are in the first beta. However, the image generation playground and custom emojis are still unavailable.
Follow this guide to find out how to change your iPhone or iPad’s region to test out Apple Intelligence.
Once the update is downloaded, you’ll see the new Apple Intelligence section in settings, and if you’ve region-swapped your phone, you can join the waitlist. Once you’ve gained access, you’ll get a notification.
Usually, Canada is in the second or third wave of countries whenever Apple globalizes a U.S. feature. There’s no real way to know when Apple Intelligence might come to Canada, but since the feature is on track to have a late start in the USA, I expect it won’t make it here until at least WWDC next year or maybe even iOS 19 in the fall of 2025.
New tools
The tools below are coming in iOS 18.1, but they won’t be available in Canada due to the region locking of Apple Intelligence.
Siri 2.0
- New look with glowing edges.
- Use text or voice to interact with the digital assistant.
- Siri gets a tech support upgrade and can help users with questions about their own iPhones, iPads, Macs, etc.
- Siri holds onto context between queries slightly better in beta 1 and understands if you accidentally fumble a word.
AI-powered Mail app
- AI sorted emails by priority.
- AI summaries instead of seeing the first line of an email in your inbox.
- Smart AI replies for quick responses and identifying questions sent to you.
Writing with AI
- New tools will pop up when you enter a text box that will help you proofread, edit and summarize your text.
Reduce interruptions
- You can use a new Focus mode that uses AI to surface notifications that it thinks you need and nothing else.
Others
- Better natural language search and Memory-making skills in the Photos app.
- You’ll now see summaries for call and voice note transcriptions.
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