iPhone 15 Pro owners can already use Apple Intelligence thanks to the iOS 18.1 beta – here’s how to install it
Apple unveiled the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max during its “It’s Glowtime” event on September 9, where a focus was on the AI capabilities of the latest iPhone line. As Tim Cook said during the livestream, these phones are the “first iPhones designed from the ground up for Apple Intelligence.”
That said, the version of iOS 18 shipping with the iPhone 16 series on September 20 won’t actually include any Apple Intelligence tools. That’s because Apple is delaying the release of Apple Intelligence until October, and even then, some Apple Intelligence features will be further delayed until later in the year.
There is, however, a way for some iPhone users to experience Apple Intelligence features right away, albeit through a beta version of iOS that is intended exclusively for developers.
Ahead of the iPhone 16 lineup, Apple released a new version of iOS 18.1 developer beta 3, bringing iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max users access to early-stage Apple Intelligence features like Writing Tools, notification summaries, Reduce Interruptions, Focus Mode, and Clean Up.
It follows that this beta will also be available on the iPhone 16 family, giving users the option to gain access to Apple Intelligence on launch day. In the meantime, here’s how to install the iOS 18.1 developer beta on an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max.
How to Install iOS 18.1 Developer Beta with Apple Intelligence
First things first: iOS 18.1 developer beta 3, like all developer betas, is an unfinished version of the operating system intended for developers to test new features and update their apps. Developer betas are not recommended for the public, but if you’re interested in getting started with Apple Intelligence right away, you can download the free version from the Apple Developer Program today.
We strongly recommend backing up your iPhone before updating to a beta version, as these builds are prone to bugs and are generally less reliable than stable releases. Check out our guide on how to back up an iPhone for more information.
To install iOS 18.1 developer beta 3, navigate to the aforementioned Apple Developer page and sign in with your Apple ID. If you haven’t already joined the Apple Developer program, you’ll need to read and agree to the Apple Developer Agreement.
After signing in, go to the Settings app on your iPhone. You should find the developer beta update in the General section, under the Software Update tab, the same place you find regular updates.
Once you find this option, you can simply install the beta version just like you would with any other iPhone software update.
If CNET notes, installing the beta this way requires some free storage. If your iPhone is running low on storage, you can also install the beta by connecting it to a Mac.
To do this, download the iOS 18.1 beta restore image from the Apple Developer site. Next, connect your iPhone to your Mac, open Finder and click on your iPhone under the Locations section. Finally, hold down the Option key, click Check for Update and select the iOS 18.1 beta restore image you downloaded.
For the latest iOS updates, check out our coverage of the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. You can also visit our Apple Intelligence Hub for more information on official release dates and confirmed features.
