iOS 18.1 and Apple Intelligence Are Coming Soon. When Is the Release Date?

Apple has just released the RC, or “release candidate,” versions of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and MacOS Sequoia 15.1 to developers and people enrolled in the public beta program. Normally this wouldn’t be a big deal for most people, but this update carries added significance because it’s the first exposure to Apple Intelligence, Apple’s collection of AI-based features. The iPhone 16 shipped with much fanfare about Apple Intelligence features, but they weren’t ready yet.

A release candidate is the final prerelease version before the final update gets sent out — essentially the finished version to be tested to catch any last unexpected bugs. But with the RC now available, we can get a better idea of when the new updates will be available to everyone else.

In addition to Apple Intelligence, iOS 18.1 will also bring the anticipated Hearing Health features to iPhone and the AirPods Pro 2.

When will iOS 18.1 be widely released?

Apple said during its September event that the first AI features will arrive in beta form “next month.” With the RC versions out now, that points to a release date of Oct. 28.

That also tracks with a rumor last week from frequent Apple watcher Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, who reported that the first Apple Intelligence features will arrive Oct. 28.

Apple's iPhone 16 Pro Max with Siri's halo glow — James Martin/CNET

There have also been rumors of an Apple hardware event happening in late October, but in the same newsletter Gurman now estimates a Nov. 1 date introducing new M4-based laptops, a revamped M4 Mac Mini and an M4 iMac. He also tagged that date for a new iPad mini, though, which Apple announced last week and will begin to ship Oct. 23.

Watch this: The iPhone Wasn’t the Star of the iPhone 16 Event

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Which devices will run Apple Intelligence?

Remember that Apple Intelligence will work only with the following models that are equipped with the A17 Pro or later (iPhone and iPad Mini) and M1 or later (Mac and iPad) processors: