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Apple recently announced that support for its new Apple Intelligence feature will be expanded to include multiple languages starting in 2025. This expansion will please many users around the world who have been waiting for localization. With the release of iOS 18.1, Apple Intelligence will initially only be available in US English. But what can we expect in the coming years?
Apple told TechCrunch confirmedthat the company plans to significantly expand language support for its Apple Intelligence feature, which will be introduced with iOS 18.1 in October 2024. The availability of the feature will expand significantly from 2024 and 2025.
First phase: Expansion of English-language localizations
Apple Intelligence will begin rolling out with iOS 18.1 in October 2024, initially exclusively in US English. However, the feature will be available for other English variants as early as December 2024, including:
- British English
- Australian English
- Canadian English
- New Zealand English
- South African English
This expansion is expected to happen with the release of iOS 18.2, which is also expected to include new features such as Genmoji, Image Playgrounds, and ChatGPT integration.
2025: Support for non-English languages
From 2025, Apple plans to expand support to several non-English languages, including German! These languages have been announced so far:
- Chinese
- French
- Japanese
- Spanish
- German
- Italian
- Korean
- Portuguese
- Vietnamese
Additionally, Apple plans to offer localizations for Indian English and Singaporean English to make Apple Intelligence accessible to a wider international user base, which is particularly important in highly interconnected markets such as Asia.
Regional restrictions and legal hurdles
Although the feature is planned to be rolled out worldwide, there are legal and regulatory restrictions in certain regions. In the EU and China in particular, Apple Intelligence is currently unavailable due to existing regulations. In the EU, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) currently prevents the use of Apple Intelligence on iPhones and iPads, so a geo-block has also been imposed. Interestingly, however, the feature is active in the developer beta of macOS Sequoia 15.1, as macOS is not considered a gatekeeper platform. Apple is currently in talks with the European Commission to find a solution that will enable Apple Intelligence to be used on mobile devices in the EU. There are similar hurdles in China, as legal frameworks prevent immediate introduction here too. Apple is also actively working in this market to make the feature available in the future.
Test phase: Beta version in US English
If you're already curious about Apple Intelligence, you can test the beta version by setting your device to US English. However, this option is available to all users outside the EU and China who have a device running iOS 18.1.
Apple Intelligence: New languages and global expansion from 2025
The expanded language support for Apple Intelligence is a significant step for Apple to make its new feature available worldwide. While US English is the initial focus, other English variants will be supported by the end of 2024, and many non-English languages will be added from 2025. Users in the EU and China will have to be patient, as Apple has to overcome legal hurdles there before the feature becomes available in these markets. The future of Apple Intelligence remains exciting, and it will be interesting to see how this new technology establishes itself worldwide. (Image: Apple)
