Apple Intelligence’s first set of features included tools we’re pretty familiar with, like glowing gradients to indicate the presence of AI, the ability to change the tone of an email, and a photo clean-up tool that lets AI eliminate distractions.

Apple has kicked off iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and MacOS 15.3 with one significant change affecting AI. Since its debut, Apple Intelligence has required the extra step of actually turning it on or opting in. But with the new versions, Apple's AI feature is enabled by default for eliglble devices.

Apple's latest operating system update included one big change for Apple Intelligence: it's on by default now. Users of compatible iPhone, iPad and Mac devices previously had to opt-in to use Apple Intelligence features.