In a surprising turn of events, iPhone users who have opted out of Apple’s AI feature, known as Apple Intelligence, are finding that it has been reactivated following the recent update to iOS 18.3.1. This unintended glitch seems to impact models such as the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the entire iPhone 16 series. Despite Apple’s efforts to enhance AI capabilities, many users feel that the functionality still lags behind competitors like Samsung and Google.
Upon installing iOS 18.3.1, those who had previously disabled Apple Intelligence were taken aback to discover that the AI feature had been turned back on without their consent. This issue also appears to extend to users of macOS 15.3.1. Thankfully, resolving this issue is straightforward; users need to revisit the Settings menu to toggle the feature off once more.
To disable Apple Intelligence again, navigate to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri, and switch off the Apple Intelligence option. Should you change your mind later, you can easily toggle the feature back on through the same menu.
However, it may be prudent to hold off on disabling Apple Intelligence entirely. The upcoming iOS 18.4 update is expected to bring significant enhancements to Siri, including improved contextual understanding and capabilities to interact with your calendar and messages. Siri will soon be able to answer questions like, “What time is my lunch with Mom next week?” which will enhance user experience significantly.
The beta version of iOS 18.4 is anticipated to be available shortly, allowing adventurous users to see the improvements to Siri firsthand. Remember to back up your device and check for compatibility (the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 16 series are the ones supported) before installing the beta when it becomes available.
