Apple Intelligence launches next week with a waiting list. Here’s how to skip the line

Apple’s groundbreaking new feature is scheduled for release next week, but… iPhone users hoping to get access to the full suite of new AI features will have to queue up.

Due to the potentially high demand, people will have to join a waiting list before they can install Apple Intelligence, which will be available when iOS 18.1 hits smartphones on October 28.

But tech experts have discovered that a beta version of the software became available on Monday, opening the queue earlier.

The tech giant usually releases a beta version of the upcoming iOS updates so that developers can catch bugs before the final version comes out.

Users can see in Settings if they can download the iOS 18.1 RC beta, which will then create a new Apple Intelligence & Siri option where they can claim their spot.

The AI-powered product was unveiled in September, unveiling a range of new features for sorting messages, generative writing and creating unique emojis.

But only those with the high-end iPhone 15 smartphones and the new iPhone 16 will have access to the highly anticipated platform.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has said this marks “a new chapter in Apple innovation.”

What this means for you as a customer is that from now on you can expect more AI integrated with your apps and devices.

Apple Intelligence focuses largely on so-called “generative” AI models, which allow users to create text or images based on prompts.

While this pre-launch software should be virtually identical to the final version launching next week, it’s important to note that not everyone’s beta software will be completely bug-free.

This is the risk of skipping the waiting list.

Make sure you backup your iPhone before downloading the RC beta, just in case something goes wrong.

Then navigate to Apple’s beta program website in your iPhone’s browser and register your device by logging in with your Apple ID and password.

If you are already logged in, you can skip this step.

Once registered, you should be able to pick up the public beta from the Software Update section of the Settings app.

Open the Settings app and tap General, then Software Update.

You may immediately see the iOS 18.1 RC beta listed there, but if not, you can tap Beta Updates to open a drop-down list where it should appear.

Select the RC beta from the list and then select Back in the top left corner.

Even people on the waitlist won’t have immediate access to the full suite of Apple Intelligence features. Some, including Genmojis, won’t be available until the launch of iOS 18.2

Now the update should be waiting for you on the Software Update screen.

Select Update Now if you want to install the RC beta immediately, or Update Tonight if you prefer to download it overnight.

You will be asked to enter your passcode and if you selected Update Now, the download will begin.

Installation may take some time, so make sure your iPhone is plugged in while you wait for the download to complete.

Once the iOS 18.1 beta is fully installed, you can join the waitlist for Apple Intelligence, even though it is not the official version of the software update.

To do this, go to the Settings menu and tap on the Apple Intelligence & Siri option. This allows you to register for the waiting list.

But there’s a catch. When this first version of Apple Intelligence arrives on your phone, it still won’t have all the features that Apple has included in the full package.

The launch version of Apple Intelligence comes with authoring tools for proofreading and rewriting, Smart Replies to quickly respond to messages, notification summaries, photo cleaning, an initial redesign of Siri, and more.

But certain features – including Genmoji, Image Playground, ChatGPT integration, and Visual Intelligence – will arrive as part of iOS 18.2, which should hit beta in the next month or so.

Others will come even later. For example, the completely revamped Siri won’t be available until sometime in 2025.

Additionally, next week’s release will only be compatible with US English, meaning countries outside the US will have to wait until December before they can use Apple Intelligence in their languages.