Complete Guide to Apple Intelligence on Mac
Apple Intelligence is the AI layer built into macOS Tahoe 26. This guide explains how to turn it on, walks through every feature — Writing Tools, Image Playground, Genmoji, summaries, Live Translation, and the new Siri — and covers which Macs are supported and how your data stays private.
Table of Contents
What Is Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence is Apple's personal AI system, woven through macOS rather than bolted on as a single app. It helps you write, summarize, create images, and get things done — running on-device wherever possible, with a privacy-preserving cloud for heavier requests. It debuted on the Mac with macOS Tahoe 26 and expanded across the 26.x updates.
Supported Macs
Apple Intelligence requires Apple Silicon. It runs on:
- Any Mac with an M1 chip or later (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5 and their Pro/Max/Ultra variants)
- The MacBook Neo with the A18 Pro chip
Intel Macs do not support Apple Intelligence. If you're on an Intel Mac, this is one more reason to consider an Apple Silicon upgrade — see Which Mac Should You Buy in 2026?
How to Turn It On
Enable Apple Intelligence
- Open System Settings → Apple Intelligence & Siri.
- Turn on Apple Intelligence.
- Wait for the on-device models to download (this can take a little while the first time).
Set your language and, if you want, connect a third-party model provider for general-knowledge requests where offered.
Every Feature Explained
Writing Tools
Available system-wide in any text field. Proofread, rewrite (friendly, professional, concise), summarize, and turn text into lists or tables. Select text, right-click, and choose Writing Tools.
Summaries
Summarize long emails in Mail, web pages in Safari, and notifications. Mail can also surface priority messages and suggest quick replies.
Image Playground & Genmoji
Generate images from a description or photo in the Image Playground app, and create custom Genmoji right from the emoji picker in Messages.
Live Translation
Real-time translation in Messages, FaceTime, and the Phone app, so conversations across languages flow naturally.
Photos Clean Up & Search
Remove distractions from photos with Clean Up, and search your library using natural language ("Maria at the beach last summer").
Shortcuts with Intelligent Actions
Build automations that tap Apple Intelligence models directly — summarize, rewrite, or extract information as a step in a Shortcut.
The New Siri
Siri is more natural and context-aware in macOS Tahoe, with a redesigned look, the ability to follow your train of thought across requests, and richer on-screen awareness. The larger personalized Siri overhaul — deeper knowledge of your personal context and in-app actions — slipped past macOS 26.4 and is expected to land with macOS 27. Read the background in our Siri delay coverage, and get the most out of today's Siri with our current Siri tips.
Privacy & Private Cloud Compute
Apple Intelligence runs many requests entirely on your Mac. When a request needs more power, it uses Private Cloud Compute — Apple Silicon servers that process your data without storing it, with independently verifiable software. Your requests aren't used to train models, and you stay in control of what's enabled.
Tip
You can disable individual features (or Apple Intelligence entirely) in System Settings → Apple Intelligence & Siri at any time, and use Screen Time restrictions to limit features like Image Playground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It's built into macOS Tahoe 26 at no cost on supported Apple Silicon Macs.
Many features run on-device and work offline. Features that rely on Private Cloud Compute or external model providers need an internet connection.
No noticeable slowdown for normal use. The initial model download uses some storage, and on-device AI uses the Neural Engine, which is designed for exactly this kind of work.
Conclusion
Apple Intelligence turns macOS into a more capable writing, creative, and productivity tool while keeping your data private. Turn it on in System Settings, explore Writing Tools and summaries first, then layer in Image Playground, Live Translation, and Shortcuts. To see how it fits into the bigger picture, read our macOS Tahoe feature roundup.