Apple to Launch Intelligence in China in December via iOS 27.3
Bloomberg reports Apple Intelligence arrives in China in December with iOS 27.3, excluding Siri AI and in-house image generation due to regulatory requirements.
Key points
- Apple Intelligence launches in China in December with iOS 27.3, excluding Siri AI and in-house image generation tools.
- The rollout relies on Alibaba’s Qwen and Tongyi Wanxiang models, following recent regulatory approval.
- Text generation features will be limited, and Image Playground will not be available in the initial release.
Bloomberg reports that Apple plans to launch Apple Intelligence in China in December as part of the iOS 27.3 software update. This release follows a prolonged period of regulatory delays and represents the first consumer availability of the feature set in the region, according to the publication’s sources.
The December rollout will exclude Siri AI, which was announced earlier this year, along with other advanced capabilities. According to Bloomberg, the initial version will feature Genmoji for custom emoji creation, AI-powered notification summaries, writing tools, and the Clean Up feature in Photos for removing unwanted objects from images.
Regulatory Hurdles and Partnerships
Apple’s path to launching in China required significant concessions due to local regulations governing AI-generated content, security assessments, and algorithm registration. The company partnered with Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. to develop guardrails for the platform, including a filter that allows the Chinese government to approve ongoing updates to the AI models.
Additionally, Apple is working with Baidu Inc. on features related to search and Siri. On September 29, Apple received permits from Chinese authorities allowing recent iPhones to support Apple Intelligence using Alibaba’s Tongyi Wanxiang and Qwen AI models, according to the South China Morning Post.
Device Support and Market Context
The South China Morning Post reported that China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently issued network access permits for the iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, and earlier iPhone models. These permits pave the way for the debut of Apple Intelligence in the country, following preliminary approval granted in July.
Apple introduced the first Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18.1 globally, but they have been unavailable in China since launch. The delay has placed Apple at a disadvantage against local smartphone makers like Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo, which already offer comparable AI capabilities to their users.
What should you do?
Users in China should monitor for the iOS 27.3 update in December to access the new features. Those outside China can continue using the full suite of Apple Intelligence tools available in their respective regions.
What to do and how to stay safe: Apple
- Check device compatibility for iOS 27.3 before the December release to ensure access to new features.
- Review privacy settings for AI features once enabled to understand data processing practices.
- Monitor official Apple communications for updates on feature availability in specific regions.
- Keep devices updated to receive security patches associated with new software versions.
Step-by-step guide: Mobile Device Security: How to Protect Data Beyond Passwords
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
Will Siri AI be available in China with the December launch?
No, Bloomberg reports that the launch will exclude the new Siri AI assistant and other features announced this year.
Which AI models will power Apple Intelligence in China?
The service will use Alibaba’s Qwen and Tongyi Wanxiang models, following regulatory approval in September.
What features are included in the initial iOS 27.3 release?
The rollout includes Genmoji, notification summaries, writing tools, and the Clean Up feature in Photos.
