 "A significant change in iOS 18.3 is the default activation of Apple Intelligence for new users and those upgrading to the latest version, in regions where the feature set is available. Image Credit: Apple")
Apple has officially started rolling out iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3 to users around the world, bringing a range of new features and updates. However, Indian users will have to wait until at least April 2025 to access the highly anticipated Apple Intelligence features.
While these features were announced in June 2024 and officially released a couple of months after the launch of the iPhone 16 series, they are not yet available in India, leaving users to find workarounds, like changing the region and language settings on their devices.
How to Update
For those who are ready to dive into the latest update, the process is simple. Users can head to Settings > General > Software Update on their Apple device and follow the on-screen instructions to install the update.
What’s New in iOS 18.3?
The iOS 18.3 update brings several new features, with Apple focusing on boosting the adoption of Apple Intelligence. The software now enables Apple Intelligence features by default during the device setup, making it easy for users to get started. However, if you prefer not to use these AI features, you can opt out by heading to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri and toggling the feature off.
Other updates in the iOS 18.3 release include:
Notification Summary Management: Users can now manage their notification summaries directly from the Lock Screen on Macs with Apple Silicon.
Updated Notification Style: Summarised notifications now have a refreshed style, with italicised text and a new glyph to distinguish them from regular notifications.
Genmoji Creation: A fun new feature that lets users create custom emojis, now available in Messages and other apps.
Improved Calculator: The Calculator app now allows users to repeat the last mathematical operation with a single tap of the equals sign.
Temporary Disablement: Some notification summaries for News & Entertainment apps are temporarily unavailable, but users who opt in will regain access once the feature is restored.
Standout update for iPhone 16 Users
One of the standout updates is for the iPhone 16 lineup. Visual Intelligence , exclusive to the iPhone 16 series, now allows users to add events directly to their calendar by simply photographing posters or flyers. It also offers improved identification of plants and animals. These new features enhance the iPhone’s ability to function similarly to Google Lens, making it even more useful for everyday tasks.
Apple Intelligence: A default feature
A significant change in iOS 18.3 is the default activation of Apple Intelligence for new users and those upgrading to the latest version, in regions where the feature set is available. This means users will have to opt-out if they do not wish to use the feature. To disable Apple Intelligence, simply go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri and turn off the toggle.
However, it’s important to note that Apple Intelligence is available only on the iPhone 15 Pro or later, and iPads and Macs with an M1 chip or newer. In regions where it is supported, these features are now available to enhance user experience with more intelligent, AI-driven capabilities.
Indian users, unfortunately, will have to wait for the rollout to reach their region, with official access expected sometime in April. Until then, the only way to experience Apple Intelligence in India is by manually changing your device’s region and language settings to a supported area.