Apple users in China were briefly exposed to Apple Intelligence features as some users in China started to see Apple Intelligence listed as available and active in the Settings app on their iPhones. However, it was revealed that the company mistakenly launched the highly anticipated Apple Intelligence features in China without obtaining regulatory approval. Presently, Apple Intelligence features are not accessible in China due to regulatory constraints.
The features that appeared for users were not associated with the iOS 26.5 beta. According to a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple acknowledged its error promptly and removed the features from availability. Gurman mentioned that although the features have been prepared for months, Apple is still awaiting regulatory clearance. He also indicated that Apple does not have immediate plans to introduce the feature.
Gurman highlighted that some of the existing features could conflict with China’s regulations. For instance, one feature utilizes Google reverse image search, a service banned in China. He clarified that Apple would not introduce AI features in China without a formal announcement and would not release them during late-night hours.
Apple Intelligence features are unavailable in China due to restrictions on foreign AI technology imposed by local regulations. Apple has collaborated with Alibaba, a Chinese company, to empower Apple Intelligence features in the region. Nevertheless, Apple is encountering delays in obtaining approval from China’s Cyberspace Administration (CAC) which evaluates and authorizes all AI models before their launch in the country.
Due to these delays, Apple is facing escalating competition from local smartphone manufacturers like Huawei and Xiaomi, which already offer various AI features to their customers.
While users in China await Apple Intelligence features, global Apple users are anticipating the enhanced AI-powered Siri. Apple is anticipated to unveil the new Siri during its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 8, 2026. The upgraded Siri, internally known as Campo, is undergoing internal testing to improve its understanding of requests, execute tasks within apps, access news content, and search the web using Apple’s proprietary interfaces and models.