Latest iOS Update May Have Reactivated Apple Intelligence Features

Users of iPhones have noted that the recent update to iOS 18.3.1 has brought back certain Apple Intelligence features that were previously deactivated on particular devices. Features such as Notification Summaries had been disabled due to concerns regarding their accuracy, but many users are now observing that these options have been reactivated post-update.

Devices that showcased a welcome screen following the update appear to be more likely to have these features turned back on. A Reddit user named u/Hanthunius documented this issue on their iPhone 15 Pro Max, and others reported similar experiences on their Mac devices. Research conducted by MacRumors indicated that while Apple Intelligence stayed off in tests conducted on iPads and iPhones, the Mac Mini was an exception.

The testing team observed the Welcome screen appearing on the Mac Mini, but it was absent on other devices. They pointed out the unusual nature of this specific Welcome screen, as it did not offer the option to set it up later, compelling users to enable the feature to proceed.

This approach is not user-friendly, and reactivating Apple Intelligence brings additional issues. It occupies approximately 7GB of storage per device, which can be a concern for users with limited space who might want to disable it to free up memory for more frequently used apps.

With the launch of iOS 18.3, Apple Intelligence became an opt-out feature, meaning it is enabled by default on any compatible device. Users who do not wish to utilize this feature must actively turn it off.

If you previously disabled Apple Intelligence, it’s wise to verify that your settings remain unchanged. Though this bug seems to occur sporadically, if you’ve updated to the latest iOS version—especially if you encountered a Welcome screen after restarting your device—it’s a good idea to check your settings.