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Apple Intelligence Rolling Out in the European Union Starting in April 2025
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I wanted to dive deeper into Apple’s recent decision to delay certain features in the EU, especially the initial AI rollout and iPhone mirroring. The latter left me curious, but then I started thinking about the EU’s core principles behind these regulations. Privacy, of course, is a priority—but Apple already excels in that area. So, there has to be another reason. Look at what Spotify and Epic Games have long challenged: the right for developers to access the same features that give Apple an edge.
Apple plans to roll out Apple Intelligence features to iPhone and iPad users in the European Union starting in April 2025, according to information included in today's Apple Intelligence announcement in European countries.
Apple's newsroom post confirms that Apple Intelligence features will roll out beginning in April, with users gaining access to Writing Tools, Genmoji, a redesigned version of Siri, and more. As of right now, EU Mac users can access Apple Intelligence features with macOS Sequoia 15.1, as long as the language on the device is set to U.S. English. Apple has restricted the launch of Apple Intelligence capabilities for the iPhone and iPad in order to work out "regulatory uncertainties brought about by the Digital Markets Act."
Apple in June said that it would delay Apple Intelligence, iPhone Mirroring, and SharePlay Screen Sharing until it was able to determine how to make the features compatible with the European Union's competition rules.
iPhone and iPad users in the European Union who have a U.S. App Store ID are able to use Apple Intelligence with the Language and Region on the device set to U.S. English. In a December iOS 18.2 update, Apple Intelligence will offer localized English in Ireland, as well as in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K.
It is worth noting that Apple Intelligence support in European countries will likely come in an update to iOS 18, and the timing is right for iOS 18.4. Rumors suggest that iOS 18.4 will be a major update that brings improvements to Siri, including personal context and the ability for the personal assistant to do more in and across apps.
Article Link: Apple Intelligence Rolling Out in the European Union Starting in April 2025
Take iPhone mirroring, for instance—allowing that would mean extending the same permissions to developers to build equivalent features, leveling the playing field. Similarly, rolling out AI on iPhones would mean allowing the developer community access to the same AI capabilities, ensuring Apple doesn’t hold an exclusive advantage. This requirement complicates things for Apple when it comes to offering unique features. But in the long run, I believe this is beneficial: Apple must now consider open, safe APIs accessible to all developers rather than proprietary ones.
Though I only use Apple’s built-in features like Handoff, App Store, and AirPlay, I understand and respect the EU’s stance. It’s a valid approach—pushing Apple to stay both open and secure. And since Apple is known for its innovation, I’m confident they’ll adapt; it may just take a bit more time.
The new Siri operates differently from the previous versions. Yes, it will still do the same things, but is now capable of "learning" dynamically over time. Previously, its skills were preprogrammed.
This is just the beginning. Apple has already released research papers explaining that the current approach to AI is flawed. That strongly suggests that Siri could theoretically catapult past other AI agents if Apple implements a vastly better approach.
Good times ahead!
Here's the actual list: https://www.apple.com/airpods-pro/feature-availability/
AI coming to the EU shows that Apple is not deliberately trying to punish customers in the EU by withholding key features. I don't know what Apple has done differently for Apple Intelligence to pass QC with the regulators. Or maybe they simply needed some sort of written guarantee that they were in the clear?
As for iPhone mirroring, it may come to the EU one day, or it may not because it's a pretty minor feature overall and Apple may feel that it's not worth the effort to open up to third parties.
So maybe certain features take a bit more time, or maybe they never come at all.
I think it can go either way.
Yes. That's why I was wondering where the other poster's 95% figure came from.
Yes, that is probably one of Apple’s concerns about launching AI in the EU. I believe, eventually, they will open up their APIs to other and maybe open up their system to other AIs, though that may take some forcing. For now, they need the space to develop their systems and work out what works and what doesn’t without having to commit to publishing APIs and supporting those version of the APIs for decades. Doing that prematurely would lock in bad decisions too early and prevent a more nimble correction.
Yeah but...you all speak better English than most...English. And you definitely understand English better than Siri.
Even in America, Apple is distinctly Californian. Most of their scenarios from their promos are total fantasy outside California.
I'm moving to Puerto Rico to get the hearing aid feature. Seems to be a favourite place in the news these days
And yet ALL of the EU advertising for the last two months for the iPhone 16 states "with Apple Intelligence" and shows the new Siri animation rainbow ring around the screen. This should be listed as false advertising. I bought the 16 knowing full well it wouldn't come with A.I. and would be rolled out at a later date - but April? Seething.
In what area is Apple still 1000 miles ahead of the competition?
Apple could use Apple Intelligence to translate to other languages. Or isn’t the intelligence not that good? If google can, why can’t Apple?
Seems like most people here are either trying to put a nice spin on this or blame Apple, the bottom line is people in EU have to wait about 6 months longer than virtually the rest of the world (except China) to get the English version of Apple Intelligence due to the EU’s overly complex regulations that are tailored to over regulate IMO Apple technologies. The crap has hit the fan by the EU but people are brainwashed to blame Apple for everything. Why does virtually the entire free world have Apple Intelligence for iOS in English except the EU?
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Maybe they need a differently tuned LLM to insert extra vowels where they're not needed?
On the bright side, it’s the first time I can think “thanks to Brexit” …at least you have Apple Intelligence now 😆
Same here, but i can’t find anything that confirms that it will be released in April, so I don’t think it will come to the EU, ever.
If they release mirroring in the EU, Apple might have to open the screen mirroring-apis to third parties.
I hope Samsung or Google builds something similar, that might pressure Apple a bit.
Reach out to your politicians and ask them to stop forcing Apple to give away its intellectual property to its competitors. The anti-integration language in the DMA is a huge overreach and is going to lead to this sort of thing happening again and again.
Overbearing regulations have consequences, whether the EU wants to admit that or not.