Hey folks! iOS 18.1 dropped on Monday, and guess what? All iPhone 16 owners, as well as 15 Pros, get to see the first glimpse of Apple Intelligence features. (Newer iPads and Macs also have Apple Intelligence, by the way – any iPad with A17 Pro or M1 and later; Mac with M1 or later). With the new update, Apple Intelligence Writing tools have also become available.
Even if you’re not planning to upgrade your device anytime soon, it’s worth taking a peek at Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1. Apple Intelligence is part of a bigger trend towards more integrated, AI-driven features across all devices, not just the latest iPhones. Familiarizing yourself with these concepts, like predictive text, smart rephrasing, and contextual suggestions, can help you stay ahead of the curve as similar tools pop up on computers, smart home devices, and beyond. Understanding how these features work today can give you a head start in embracing the tech of tomorrow. iOS 18.1 also has security and bug fixes and some new features for all devices, so it’s a good idea for everyone to update.
Update to iOS 18.1
Go to Settings > General > Software Update, then click on Update to iOS 18.1
When the update is installed, you’ll then follow a few steps to set up your Apple Intelligence preferences. If for some reason Apple Intelligence is not automatically available to you, just go to Settings > Apple Intelligence and Siri. You can then “Turn On” Apple Intelligence and select your preferences.
Writing Tools in iOS 18.1
Writing Tools are the stars in this first version of Apple Intelligence. If you’re looking to enhance your notes, emails, or social media posts without the hassle, Apple’s “Intelligence” tools are here to save the day. These tools, which go far beyond mere spellcheck, offer a convenient way to have a personal writing assistant at your fingertips!
Here are some ways they can help you every day:
1. Predictive Text
We’re all used to our phones predicting the next word we want to type, but with iOS 18.1, Apple Intelligence takes it further. Now, it doesn’t just guess one word; it tries to predict whole phrases and sentences. For instance, if you start typing “Looking forward to…” it might suggest “…seeing you this weekend.” The more you use it, the more it seems to know you and offer better suggestions.
2. Rewrite Suggestions
Struggling to get the tone right? With one tap, iOS 18.1 can give you options to rephrase your sentence. Want to make it sound more formal? No problem. Prefer a friendly tone? Just tap the suggestion, and your sentence instantly adapts. It’s great for emails and formal letters where you want to sound professional without stressing over every word.
3. Grammar and Clarity Fixes
While spell-check has been around forever, now we’ve got grammar and clarity tools that go deeper. iOS 18.1 catches those sneaky typos and grammar slip-ups, but it also suggests ways to make your writing clearer. If you’re someone who’s been out of school a while, think of it as your old English teacher—minus the red pen and judgment.
4. Context-Based Vocabulary Suggestions
This one’s really handy. If you’re writing a formal email, iOS 18.1 knows it’s probably not the place for “LOL” and “gonna.” It gives vocabulary suggestions that match the vibe of your message, whether it’s casual or professional. The best part? You don’t need to look up synonyms or wonder if you’re sounding right—the Intelligence feature handles that for you.
How to Access and Use Writing Tools
- Select a section of text that you want to check or rewrite.
- Tap on “Writing Tools”.
- Select the tool you wish to use. You may choose to Proofread or do a Rewrite, or change the tone of the writing
I found the proofread and rewrite to be really helpful. Sometimes I like the rewrite and use a bit of it, but other times it doesn’t really make the original better. So, I decided to really test the ability of Apple Intelligence Writing Tools to change the tone by copying some famous pieces of text.
Here’s a selection from the first scene of Hamlet rewritten by Apple Intelligence in a “friendly” tone:
This transformation, completed in mere seconds, left me in awe. I believe it effectively conveys everyday, “friendly” English. As a student today, I’d be thrilled to possess these tools, while simultaneously feeling disheartened as a teacher in today’s classrooms.
Summarize Text with Apple Intelligence
The Apple Intelligence Writing Tools aren’t just for writing, though. I find them super handy for summarizing text in different apps. The options for summarizing text include Summary, Key Points, List and Table. You can use it on messages, emails, PDFs, web articles, and even in Pages or Notes. I’m a big reader, so I spend a lot of time reading, and this feature really saves me time. Here are some examples of how I use it every day.
Summary
Want to quickly summarize longer emails? Just click on the “Summarize” button at the top right corner of any email. In a few seconds, a summary will pop up right in front of you. This way, you can decide if you want to dive into the whole article now, save it for later, or just toss it.
Long articles on the web can also be summarized easily. Here’s how:
- Open the Safari app on your iPhone.
- Tap the rectangular icon with lines below it at the left side of your browser.
- Tap Show Reader,
- Tap Summarize at the top of the page.
Key Points
Use Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1 to quickly summarize the key points of any text or article in the Notes or Pages apps.
- Select the text you with to summarize.
- Select “Writing Tools”.
- Tap “Key Points”.
Create a Table
I was pleased to find this tool for a recent task. While working on a booklet for an upcoming African safari, I began a list of some of the wildlife that we will see that are endangered or threatened species in the Notes app. The new Writing Tool instantly created a table of the different classifications in my list.
The software accurately labeled the list as classifications in the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species. It was a breeze to copy the entire table into Numbers (Excel would have also worked) and sort the animals by classification. Creating a table manually would have taken me ages!
Is Apple Intelligence Worth Trying?
Absolutely! Even if you’re not a “techie,” the learning curve for these features is nearly zero. And honestly, once you get used to having a little AI help, it’s hard to go back. You’ll find yourself typing less, getting more done, and feeling more confident in what you’re writing.
So, give it a try! Update to iOS 18.1 and start exploring these new writing tools. Apple Intelligence isn’t just for tech wizards—it’s for anyone who wants a smarter, easier way to write on their iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
And the Writing Tools are just one aspect of the new Apple Intelligence features in iOS18.1. Stay tuned for more soon!
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