Apple announced its artificial intelligence platform, Apple Intelligence, on June 10 during WWDC 2024. However, users in the European Union will not have access to this technology with the launch of iOS 18 and macOS 15 Sequoia, not even in their beta versions. Despite this limitation, there is a method that allows developers in Spain and other European countries to test Apple Intelligence before its official release.
Activating Apple Intelligence on macOS and iOS
To activate Apple Intelligence on a Mac, the first step is to download the latest beta version of macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta 2. This requires you to enroll in the Apple Beta Software Program and register your test computer. Once done, follow these steps:
- Go to System Settings > General > Beta Updates and download the available update.
- Next, go to System Settings > General > Language & Region and set "English (US)" as the primary language and "United States" as the region.
- After the system restarts, go to System Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri and change the assistant's language to "English (United States)."
- Finally, click the "Join Apple Intelligence Waitlist" button to sign up.
After completing these steps, Apple Intelligence should be available on your Mac a few hours later. The system will notify you when it is ready to use.
If you prefer to test Apple Intelligence on an iPhone or iPad, the process is similar. First, download iOS 18.1 beta 2 by enrolling in the Apple Beta Software Program. Then, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates and select the corresponding version.
- Once installed, go to Settings > General > Language & Region and select "English (United States)" and "United States" in the language and region fields.
- Add a U.S. account in Settings > Apple Account > Media and Purchases.
- Finally, in the Apple Intelligence settings, tap "Join" to sign up.
Risks of beta versions
It is important to note that beta versions of macOS, iOS, and other operating systems are intended for developers who want to experiment with new features before their official release. These versions may contain bugs and be unstable, which could affect device performance and cause data loss. Therefore, it is not recommended to install beta versions on primary devices unless you have experience and knowledge in handling development software.
The delay in launching Apple Intelligence in the European Union is due to the need to comply with the Digital Markets Act, which imposes certain requirements that Apple must implement for its artificial intelligence system to operate in the region. According to Apple, this process requires additional time, leading to the postponement of this technology's availability in the region.
