Beta 1 of iOS 18.1, MacOS Sequoia 15.1, & iPadOS 18.1 Released with Apple Intelligence

Apple has issued the first beta versions of iOS 18.1, MacOS Sequoia 15.1, and iPadOS 18.1, each with Apple Intelligence AI features. These .1 beta releases are separate from the concurrent betas of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and MacOS Sequoia 15, each of which is currently still versioned as beta 4.

The beta 1 version of iOS 18.1, MacOS Sequoia 15.1, and iPadOS 18.1 with Apple Intelligence features are only available on devices that are compatible with the Apple Intelligence AI features, which have remarkably strict system requirements.

For iPhone, iOS 18.1 beta 1 with Apple Intelligence is only available for iPhone 15 Pro or better – yes this means even the currently for sale newest generation base model iPhone 15 does not support the upcoming Apple Intelligence AI features.

For iPad, iPadOS 18 beta 1 with Apple Intelligence is only available on iPad models with an M1 chip or better.

For Mac, MacOS Sequoia 15.1 beta 1 with Apple Intelligence features are only available on Apple Silicon Macs with an M1 chip or better.

Why Apple has such incredibly strict requirements for Apple Intelligence AI features is not entirely clear, particularly given that the ChatGPT app is widely compatible with even iPhone 11 models (though the official ChatGPT for Mac does require an Apple Silicon chip, there are third party ChatGPT clients that run on legacy Mac OS 9!), and ChatGPT can run in nearly any web browser on nearly any device. Thus, if you intend on using the Apple Intelligence AI features, you will need to buy the top-of-the-line model iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max, or better, or any M1 or better iPad or Mac.

Installing iOS 18.1 Beta 1 or iPadOS 18.1 Beta 1

Backup to iCloud and a computer before beginning the installation process:

1. Open “Settings” and then go to “General”
2. Go to “Software Update”
3. Select “Beta Updates”
4. Choose “iOS 18.1 Developer Beta” or ‘iPadOS 18 Developer beta’ and then tap back
5. Choose to update now to install iOS 18.1 beta 1 or iPadOS 18.1 beta 1

Your iPhone or iPad will have to restart to finish installation.

Installing MacOS Sequoia 15.1 Beta 1

Backup the Mac with Time Machine or your backup method of choice before beginning:

1. From the  APPLE menu, go to “System Settings”
2. Go to “General” and then to “Software Update”
3. Click on the tiny (i) button next to Beta Updates
4. Choose “MacOS Sequoia 15.1 Developer Beta” from the dropdown list
5. Choose “Update Now” to install MacOS Sequoia 15.1 beta 1

The Mac must reboot to finish installation.

Users who switch from the broader iOS 18/iPadOS 18 beta or the MacOS Sequoia beta to the iOS/IpadOS 18.1 betas or Sequoia 15.1 betas will possibly find that future beta update schedules will be different as well, though it’s possible that Apple will release updates at the same time.

While iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and MacOS Sequoia are set to be released this fall, according to Apple, a new report from Bloomberg suggests that Apple Intelligence features with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and MacOS Sequoia 15.1 won’t be released until October.