New to this? Read it in simple words
- Tim Cook says Apple has approval to bring its first AI features to China.
- A test version will come later in October, without the new Siri.
- The first features include Live Translation, Writing Tools and Clean Up for photos.
- Bloomberg reports a public release in December; Apple has not confirmed it.
- Apple Intelligence
- Apple’s set of AI features for iPhones, iPads and Macs, such as writing help and translation.
- Test version
- An early version that some users can try before the final release, to find problems.
- State-backed media
- News outlets owned or supported by a government; in China, they work under state control.
Apple Intelligence is Apple’s set of AI features for iPhones, iPads and Macs. In China, AI services need approval from the government, and Apple’s features have not been available there. On October 15, Tim Cook gave a time for the first step.
What Cook said
Cook spoke to The Paper, a state-backed news site, in an exclusive interview in Shanghai. He is now Apple’s executive chairman.
Cook said Apple has approval to bring the first core Apple Intelligence features to users in China. He named Live Translation, Writing Tools and Clean Up, a tool that removes objects from photos. He gave them as examples, so the first list may be longer.
The features will come in a test version later this month, Cook said. Siri AI, the new version of Apple’s assistant, is not included, The Paper and Reuters report.
Cook’s interview with The Paper on October 15, Reuters, and Bloomberg’s report of October 14; Apple has published no announcement.
Approval and partners
China’s internet regulator registered Apple Intelligence for use on iPhones in July, Reuters and MacRumors report. The regulator described it as a service that runs on the device.
Alibaba confirmed in July that its Qwen models are part of Apple’s plans for China, and Baidu said it also works with Apple. Permits from China’s industry ministry, dated September 29, list Apple Intelligence and Alibaba’s Qwen models for iPhones including the iPhone Duo, The Paper reports.
On the day of the interview, Cook met China’s commerce minister, Wang Wentao. They discussed AI and Apple’s business in China, according to the ministry.
A test now, a release later
Cook did not say when the features will reach all users, or which software version the test uses.
Bloomberg reported on October 14 that Apple plans a public launch in December, with iOS 27.3, also without Siri AI. That report is based on unnamed sources, and Apple has not confirmed it.
Apple has not published an announcement of its own.
Sources
Every fact in this story comes from the sources below. Open them to check our work.
- 1
- 2Research · October 15, 2026Tim Cook says Apple Intelligence approved in China, The Paper reports Reuters, via The Edge Malaysia
- 3Research · October 15, 2026China is officially getting Apple Intelligence. Siri AI still has to wait outside Digital Trends
- 4
- 5
- 6Research · July 16, 2026Apple gets approval for iPhone AI in China with Alibaba, Baidu Bloomberg, via The Star
- 7Research · October 14, 2026Apple Intelligence reportedly coming to China in December, but without Siri AI 9to5Mac
The timing and the first features come from Cook’s interview with The Paper; Apple has published nothing itself. The December release date is Bloomberg’s report alone.
Cook says Apple has approval to test its first AI features in China this month, but without Siri AI and no confirmed release. How we rate the mood