Siri and Apple Intelligence Beginner tutorial

Beginner · step 1 of 7

What Siri and Apple Intelligence is (and isn't)

Apple Intelligence is the AI built into Apple devices: writing tools, summaries, image tools and a smarter Siri. It needs the 27 releases (iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS 27) and an eligible device. Some features run on Apple’s servers and have daily limits; Siri AI is in beta. Apple says a paid tier is coming later (Apple Support, published Oct 22, 2026).

Good for:

• Proofreading and rewriting text in any app
• Summarizing messages and notifications
• Hands-free questions to Siri

Not good for:

• Ineligible older devices
• Decisions based only on a summary
• Unsupported languages or China mainland

Why this step matters: Knowing what it is good and bad at stops you using it for jobs where it will fail quietly.

Beginner · step 2 of 7

Check your device and turn it on

1. Check your device is eligible: iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max, iPhone 16 or later, iPhone Air or iPhone Duo; iPad with M1 or later or A17 Pro; Mac with M1 or later; Apple Vision Pro; Apple Watch Series 9 or later.
2. Update to version 27 of your device’s software.
3. Free up 8–14 GB of storage.
4. Make sure your device language and Siri language match, then turn on Apple Intelligence in Settings.

Why this step matters: Copycat apps and unofficial installers are common; starting from the official source protects your account and data.

Beginner · step 3 of 7

Your first useful prompt

Give it a situation, a task and the format you want. Try this:

Select an email draft, open Writing Tools, and choose Proofread. Then ask Siri: “Summarize my unread messages from today.”

Then ask one follow-up that narrows it down.

A good result: output in the format you asked for, built only on what you gave it. If it drifts into generic advice, add the situation sentence again.

Why this step matters: A prompt with situation, task and format gets a usable answer first time, so you learn what the tool can actually do.

Beginner · step 4 of 7

Check the answer

1. Ask for the source of any fact you'll reuse.
2. Open the link and find the exact sentence (Ctrl+F).
3. If you can't find it, treat the claim as unverified.
4. For files, check two page or row references yourself.

Before you answer: separate what you checked from what you're assuming. Write "unknown" instead of guessing. Give a link for every number.

Why this step matters: Chatbots state wrong facts in the same confident tone as right ones. Checking is the only way to tell them apart.

Beginner · step 5 of 7

Privacy basics

• Don't paste passwords, ID numbers, card numbers or other people's private details.
• Assume the company can read and keep your chats unless its official policy says otherwise.
• For health, money or legal decisions, confirm with a professional or an official source.
• Apple processes many requests on-device; server features use Apple’s systems. Read Apple’s privacy details in Settings.
• Check summaries of messages and notifications before acting on them.

Why this step matters: Anything you paste may be stored and read. Deciding what never goes in is easier than undoing a leak.

Beginner · step 6 of 7

What it costs

Apple Intelligence is included with eligible devices. Server-based features such as Siri AI have daily limits, and Apple says a paid tier will come later (Apple Support 121115). No price was announced on the page we checked.

Full details: Siri and Apple Intelligence step-by-step tutorial.

Why this step matters: Paying for features you don't use is the most common waste. Knowing the limits first tells you if the free tier is enough.

Beginner · step 7 of 7

Your first week

1. Day 1: three real tasks from your week.
2. Day 3: compare its results with what you'd have done yourself.
3. Day 7: decide if it's worth paying, based on what you actually used.

Why this step matters: A week of real tasks gives you evidence for whether it saves time, instead of a first impression.