Gurman: Apple pulls Apple Intelligence in China, after accidentally launching it there; Apple does not plan an imminent launch as it lacks regulatory approval
Apple Intelligence first launched in the US in October 2024, but now after a nearly 18-month wait, Apple's AI features appear to be rolling out in China too.
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Apple Intelligence Finally Lands in China After 18-Month Wait
Apple's AI features are rolling out to Chinese users, nearly a year and a half after the US launch in October 2024.
Apple Intelligence has started reaching users in China. That's roughly 18 months after the feature suite first debuted in the United States back in October 2024.
User reports confirm the rollout is underway, bringing Apple's on-device AI capabilities to one of its most critical markets. China represents a massive installed base of iPhone users, and the delayed arrival of Apple Intelligence has been a notable gap in the company's AI strategy.
The long wait likely reflects the regulatory and technical hurdles of deploying AI features in China, where content moderation and data handling rules differ significantly from Western markets.
No official announcement from Apple has accompanied the rollout so far — users on the ground spotted the changes first. Details on which specific Apple Intelligence features are available in China remain limited.