What to Know

• Upgrade to iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, or macOS 15.1 and join Apple's Intelligence waitlist.
• Once notified, selectSet Up Apple Intelligence>Continueto enable Siriwith Apple Intelligence.
• Ask Siri how-to questions about your device and contextual questions to perform actions across apps.

With iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS 15.1 (Sequoia), Siri gains even more capability than before with the help of Apple Intelligence.Siri understands conversational language more easily, is more customizable, and can help you figure out how to use your Apple gadgets. 

This article explains how to enable and use Siri with Apple Intelligence.

Apple Intelligence is available on select newer devices, including Macs with M1 chips or later operating macOS 15.1, iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, iPhone 16 models running iOS 18, and iPads with an A17 chip and later running iPadOS 18.1.

How to Turn On Siri With Apple Intelligence

To take advantage of Apple Intelligence, you must first update your operating system to iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, or macOS Sequoia (macOS 15.1) and then join the waitlist.

Screenshots and instructions display Siri in action with Apple Intelligence on macOS Sequoia.The experience and interactions are similar on iPadOS 18 and iOS 18.

1. SelectSettings>General>Software Update>Update NoworUpgrade Now.

   

2. Once you've finished updating your operating system, join the waitlist to activate Apple Intelligence.

   This step is necessary since Apple Intelligence is still in beta. You'll receive a notification when Apple Intelligence is ready on your machine.

3. SelectSet Up Apple Intelligence.

   

4. ClickContinueto proceed through the guided setup.

   

5. SelectContinueagain to review the Speak to Siri options.

    If you want to disable Apple Intelligence with Siri at any time, go toSettings>Apple Intelligence & Siriand move the toggle to the left/off position beside Apple Intelligence.

   

6. One final step if you're on a Mac, enterCommandtwice on your keyboard and then selectEnable Shortcutin the dialog box to allow theType to Sirishortcut.
   

   

How to Use Siri With Apple Intelligence

With Apple Intelligence for Siri turned on, you can make several new types of requests from your supercharged digital assistant. Here are a few main enhancements to know.

Type to Siri

Previously, the only way to ask Siri questions was to ask it aloud. With Apple Intelligence, you can also type your queries. Here's how.

1. On iPhones and iPads, double-tap the bottom of the display.  On a Mac, press theSiri buttonif you have a Touch Bar or the Siri icon from the Menu Bar. Alternatively on a Mac, pressCommandtwice.

    If you don't see the Siri icon on your Mac, it go toSystem Settings>Control Center>Menu Bar Only>Siri >Show in Menu Bar.

2. In the Siri request bar, input your question.

   

3. Siri's responses will appear in the upper-right corner, and you can type additional queries without closing the interface.

Ask for Help About Apple Products

Another time-saving feature of Siri with Apple Intelligence is the ability to ask Siri questions about how to do things with your Apple products.

Rather than having to manually go to Settings to make adjustments to Display and Brightness or text size, you can bring up the Siri field and type questions like:

• "What is Apple Intelligence?" 
• "How do I make a Memoji?"
• "How do I back up my Mac?"
• "How do I connect my AirPods to my iPhone?"

Why Use Siri With Apple Intelligence?

Apple is rolling out more enhancements to Apple Intelligence and Siri through the rest of 2024 and into 2025. 

In iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2, Apple added Genmoji, ChatGPT in Siri, Image Playground, and Visual Intelligence, to name a few.

Here are a few other ways that Siri with AI smarts could make your life easier-and is easier to use.

Make Requests While Speaking Naturally

Siri is more conversational than ever with Apple Intelligence, which means you don't have to be as exact when making requests. 

For example, if you try to set a reminder and fumble over your phrasing, you can correct yourself and Siri should follow along.

Ask Siri Contextual Questions

Siri can also keep up with the conversation and details that are relevant to you and what you're talking about. 

If you ask Siri about a book title, you can follow up with related questions and requests, such as:

• "Where can I buy this book?"
• "Map directions to the nearest bookstore."

Or, if a friend makes book or movie recommendations or shares a location in Messages, you can ask Siri to take you directly to that item in Apple TV or Maps, and it'll understand the conversation thread.