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Apple has released a major AI update in iOS 18: Apple Intelligence. It has been available to users since October of last year, with the release of iOS 18.1. The new feature is directly integrated into many system areas and apps—in theory, of course. Not all developers are participating. Meta has decided not to support Apple Intelligence in its iOS apps. This affects Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads, and Instagram.
Apple Intelligence brings many new features to iPhones and iPads. These include writing tools that allow you to create, correct, or rephrase text directly in apps. AI-generated emojis (Genmoji) and new ways to share stickers are also part of the update. While most apps enable these features natively, developers have the option to specifically disable Apple Intelligence. Meta has done just that.
Apple Intelligence is not available in meta apps for iOS
According to a report by the Brazilian blog Sorcererhat Tech, Apple Intelligence features aren't working in any meta-app on iOS. You can't access the writing tools or use Genmoji. Normally, tapping a text input field is enough to activate the tools. This option doesn't appear in the iOS versions of Facebook or WhatsApp Threads. Instagram is also affected. The ability to post keyboard stickers or Memojis in Stories has been removed. It used to work, but it's no longer available.
Why does Meta do this?
Meta has not officially commented on the matter. There has been no statement or explanation as to why Apple Intelligence was deactivated. However, there are understandable reasons why Meta wants to push its own AI solution. Meta AI is integrated into many Meta services and performs similar tasks to Apple Intelligence. You can use it to write and edit texts, or generate images for you. If users were to rely on Apple Intelligence instead, Meta would have less influence on usage and interaction in its own apps. A second possible reason lies in the relationship between Apple and Meta. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, the two companies discussed a possible integration of Meta's AI model Llama into Apple Intelligence last year. In the end, nothing came of it. Apple reportedly rejected the deal because Meta's privacy policies were incompatible with its own standards.
- Additionally, Apple and Meta regularly clash when it comes to App Store rules, privacy, and advertising policies. So it's not surprising that Meta is distancing itself from Apple Intelligence.
What does this mean for you?
If you use an iPhone or iPad, you won't be able to use any of the new Apple Intelligence features in Meta apps. No text suggestions, no Genmoji, no keyboard stickers in Stories. Apple Intelligence is simply not active in these apps. While you can use it system-wide, as soon as you're in a Meta app, it's over. Whether this will change in the future is unclear. Meta has remained silent on the matter so far. However, it's unlikely that Apple Intelligence will be enabled in Meta apps anytime soon – as long as Meta relies on its own AI and no agreement with Apple is in sight (via Sorcererhat Tech).
Meta relies on its own AI instead of Apple Intelligence
Meta has decided to block Apple Intelligence in its iOS apps. This means that Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads, and Instagram are missing important AI features that were originally introduced with iOS 18. The decision is likely strategic: Meta wants to prioritize its own AI, Meta AI, while simultaneously limiting Apple's influence on the user experience in its own apps. For users, this means that anyone who wants to use Apple Intelligence must do so outside of the Meta world. (Photo by Unsplash / Dima Solomin)
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