iOS 18.4 includes a variety of big and small upgrades for iPhone users, but if you’re in the EU, there’s one especially huge bonus change: Apple Intelligence is now fully supported for EU users.
iOS 18.4 brings Apple Intelligence to EU users
Not long after Apple first debuted its initial Apple Intelligence feature set at WWDC last June, the company shared some bad news: AI wouldn’t be supported in the EU at launch, or until further notice.
The reason? Certain EU regulations the company needed to navigate.
The limitation didn’t apply to the Mac, since the iPhone and iPad were subject to a different set of requirements in the EU’s Digital Markets Act.
However, after months of waiting, Apple finally had good news for iPhone users. Right as Apple Intelligence launched publicly for users, Apple announced that it would come to the EU too—but in April via a software update.
That update arrived a day ahead of schedule, with iOS 18.4’s arrival on March 31.
The timing of EU support aligns nicely with Apple’s expanded language support in iOS 18.4 too.
Apple Intelligence features now available in the EU
Now on iPhones and iPads running iOS and iPadOS 18.4, users in the EU can now gain access to the same Apple Intelligence features that much of the rest of the world has already had. This includes features like:
- Writing Tools: Use systemwide tools to proofread, rewrite, or reformat your text.
- Clean Up in Photos: Remove unwanted objects from your photos with ease.
- Notification summaries: Receive more actionable and helpful notifications thanks to AI summaries.
- Genmoji: Make your own custom emoji for use in any app.
- ChatGPT in Siri: Siri can tap into ChatGPT’s knowledge, and you can even query ChatGPT directly.
- Image Playground: Create original AI images in animation or illustration styles.
- Visual intelligence: Use the iPhone’s Camera Control or Action button to get relevant info from your physical environment.
Previously, if you were in the EU, your iPhone and iPad were prohibited from accessing Apple Intelligence altogether. No matter what your device region or language settings were, Apple blocked access based on location.
But that’s no longer the case. Now as of iOS 18.4, AI access is currently only blocked in China—and hopefully even that will change soon too.
If you’re in the EU, how do you feel about gaining access to Apple Intelligence? Let us know in the comments.
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