iOS 18.1 Beta 3 & Co.: Apple further loosens access to Apple Intelligence
While the first beta made it difficult to use Apple Intelligence in the EU, things improved with beta 2. Beta 3 now removes another hurdle.
Apple Intelligence on Mac, iPhone and iPad.
(Image: Apple)
Apple is making it easier to try out Apple Intelligence within the European Union –, although the service will not initially be released here. As reported by users of the third beta of iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, which was released a few days ago, the USA region no longer has to be selected in order to test the service. Germany can remain as a region – and thus also information such as the form of the date, the currency or the units of measurement.
Step by step to AI happiness
In Beta 1, Apple initially made it extremely difficult to test Apple Intelligence within the EU. In addition to the US region setting, the US English language setting and a US App Store account, the device also had to be located outside the 27 EU countries – or in a state where the location could not be determined. With beta 2, things got better: Apple removed the hard geo-restrictions and the three requirements of region setting, language setting and US App Store account were sufficient.
With beta 3 of iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, it is now even easier: you only need the US English language setting and a US App Store account. The latter can be created very easily by any user, not even a US credit card is required. The other setup step, US English language setting, is a click in the system settings. The last requirement –, which should be met by default –, is the activation of the Apple ID for developer beta versions, without which iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 cannot be downloaded at all. All you need to do is log in once with this Apple ID at developer.apple.com and accept the developer terms and conditions.
Fear of regulation as a gatekeeper
However, it remains unclear when Apple Intelligence will officially enter the European Union. IOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 are currently expected to be released in October, after iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 are scheduled for September. Apple had already announced that the AI system will initially only be available in US English this year, with other languages planned for next year. However, for it to also run in this way in the EU, the requirement for a US Apple ID would now have to be waived.
When deciding not to bring Apple Intelligence to the European Union for the time being, Apple referred to the interoperability requirements for "gatekeepers" (of which Apple is one) set out in the Digital Markets Act. The company is concerned that this "compromises the integrity of the products" and undermines data protection and security. No specific details were provided when the decision was announced in June –, nor have any since. However, the company also emphasized that Apple would try to work with the EU Commission to find a solution to bring the functions to the EU after all. In addition to Apple Intelligence, other new iOS 18 functions were also blocked, such as iPhone mirroring on the Mac and improvements to screen sharing. macOS 15.1 will also have Apple Intelligence on board immediately in the EU, as macOS is not regulated.
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