How To Use Apple Intelligence for AI in China

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If you’re like many people, you may find it confusing to understand how AI access works on Apple devices, especially when you are living outside of China. I experienced this firsthand after buying an iPhone 16. At first, I was told I would have to wait six months before I could start using AI features. I thought, “That’s okay, I can wait.” But now, a year has passed since I moved to Italy, and I still don’t have full access to AI tools.

What Apple offers is quite limited. I can only use ChatGPT for a few questions each day, which is not enough if I want to do more, like editing photos. Unfortunately, the restrictions are in place because of concerns about human faces and privacy. I feel like Apple promised more, but those promises were not kept. It feels like they are more focused on business interests than providing a full AI experience.

I think Apple should open up their iPhone to full AI features. They say they are careful about privacy, but it makes me wonder if they are also missing out on the opportunity to be innovative. My trust is starting to fade because it feels like they are hiding behind these restrictions while competitors start to offer more open AI capabilities.

I also own a Mac M2 and an iPad Air, bought before these AI restrictions were announced. I didn’t mention them earlier because I wasn’t affected then, but now I see how different brands approach AI. The main difference is how open they are with their features—what I call “commercial blindness.”

I reached out to Apple support twice. The first time, I received an answer full of hope, suggesting I might be able to access more AI features soon. But the second time, the reply felt dismissive, like, “Sorry, you’re out of luck.” It’s disappointing when a company that once seemed promising only offers limited options and sounds like they don’t want to change.

If you’re in a similar situation, my advice is to stay informed and keep sharing your experience. Hopefully, Apple will listen and open up more AI features for everyone, no matter where they live.