New Apple Intelligence Features Are Available Today
smarter devices, better translations & seamless integrations — what Apple Intelligence brings (Sept 2025)
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What Is Apple Intelligence: A Quick Refresher
- What’s New Today – Key Features & Upgrades
- Live Translation Across Messages, FaceTime, Calls, AirPods
- Visual Intelligence: Search & Action on Onscreen Content
- Enhanced Genmoji & Image Playground Tools
- Shortcuts & Intelligent Automations
- Upgrades to Daily-Apps: Reminders, Wallet, Messages
4. Why It Matters for Indian Users
- Multilingual India: translating across local languages
- Data privacy & on-device processing
- Device eligibility & OS update steps
- Potential use-cases in Indian life: travel, office, family etc.
5. How to Activate / Use These New Features
- Checking compatibility
- Updating to iOS 26 / iPadOS 26 / macOS Tahoe 26 etc.
- Step-by-step guide to using Live Translation, Visual Intelligence etc.
- Tips & best practices (battery, privacy, performance)
1. Introduction
If you have an eligible Apple device and updated to the latest operating system, today marks a leap forward. Apple has rolled out several new Apple Intelligence features that promise to make your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch, and even Vision Pro more helpful, intuitive, and versatile.
Whether you're messaging family in another regional language, browsing images, automating repetitive tasks, or trying to get more done with less friction — these features are designed to reduce friction, boost productivity, and elevate user experience. And for Indian users, with multiple languages, diverse accents, and unique use-cases, many of these upgrades are especially relevant.
2. What Is Apple Intelligence: A Quick Refresher
Apple Intelligence is the umbrella term for Apple’s newer AI / machine learning-driven features built into their OS ecosystem (iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS). It includes:
- On-device and cloud-assisted models that power translation, image recognition, etc.
- Deep integration across system apps (Messages, FaceTime, Photos, Reminders, Wallet etc.).
- A focus on privacy: as much as possible of the processing happens on your device; when using cloud, it’s via Apple’s Private Cloud Compute, with minimized data sharing. Apple+2Apple Support+2
Before today, Apple Intelligence already included tools like Writing Tools (summarisation, rewriting, proofreading), Smart Replies, Genmoji, etc., in certain locales & devices. But today's update greatly expands scope. Apple+2Apple+2
3. What’s New Today – Key Features & Upgrades
Below are the major new features available as of today (Sept 2025), especially with iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26. Some features depend on language / region / device compatibility. Indiatimes+4Apple+4Apple Support+4
3.1 Live Translation Across Messages, FaceTime, Calls, AirPods
- Messages: Your text responses can be automatically translated as you’re typing into the recipient’s language. E.g., you type in English, but they receive in Hindi (or vice versa), if supported. Apple
- FaceTime: Live translated captions appear during the call, while still preserving the speaker’s original voice. Great for bilingual families or remote conversations. Apple
- Phone calls: Real-time voice translation when speaking over the phone — the spoken translation is heard in your preferred language. Apple
- AirPods Pro 3 (and newer / compatible): You can summon Live Translation via gesture (press both stems), Action button on iPhone, or via Siri, to translate in-person conversations. Also background noise cancellation helps focus on translation. Apple
- Future language support: By end of year, more languages will be added (Chinese traditional, Japanese, Korean, etc.). Apple
3.2 Visual Intelligence: Search & Action on Onscreen Content
- You can now select content on your screen (e.g. a flyer, image, text) to search for similar objects, translate or summarise text, or to add an event to the calendar in one tap. Apple
- For example: see a pair of shoes in a screenshot → search for similar ones across shopping apps (eBay, Etsy etc.) directly. Apple
- Use Camera Control, Action Button, or Control Center for quick access. Some capabilities work offline. Apple
3.3 Enhanced Genmoji & Image Playground Tools
- More expressive emojis & graphic tools: Genmoji improvements allow creation of custom emojis from text descriptions. Image Playground offers new styles (artistic, vector etc.), new backgrounds, and more personalization. TechRadar+1
- Image Wand (on iOS / iPadOS) lets you refine generated images. Apple Support+1
3.4 Shortcuts & Intelligent Automations
- Shortcuts app can now tap into Apple Intelligence models directly — meaning more powerful, context-aware automations without needing separate APIs. Apple
- Intelligence can suggest relevant actions: e.g. from email content, websites, notes etc., reminders can auto-categorise or pull in important tasks. Apple
3.5 Upgrades to Daily-Apps: Reminders, Wallet, Messages
- Reminders: Apple Intelligence can identify relevant actions in emails/websites/notes, suggest reminders, auto-categorise. Apple
- Wallet: Summaries of order tracking from merchant/delivery emails; tracking progress, notifications, all in one place. Apple
- Messages: Now you can create polls in conversations; Messages can even suggest a poll when the content seems to call for one. Also, custom chat backgrounds via Image Playground. Apple
4. Why It Matters for Indian Users
India is unique: many languages, varying network strength, different usage patterns. These new features map well to Indian needs. Here’s how and why.
4.1 Multilingual India: Bridging Language Barriers
- Millions of Indians speak & read in Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, etc. Having automatic/live translation truly helps in messaging family members, customer service, etc.
- For example, someone comfortable in English typing to a recipient who prefers Hindi or Tamil: Messages’ auto-translate helps.
4.2 Privacy & On-device Processing
- In India, with growing awareness & concerns around data privacy, on-device processing (where possible) and Private Cloud Compute help ensure sensitive conversations stay private. Apple+1
- Because not all users have high-speed/low latency networks, offline / on-device capabilities are an advantage. For example, visual intelligence actions that work offline. Apple
4.3 Device Eligibility & OS Update Steps
- To use these new features, you’ll need to ensure your device supports Apple Intelligence-enabled devices and you have updated to iOS 26 / iPadOS 26 / macOS Tahoe 26 / watchOS 26 / visionOS 26. Apple+2Apple Support+2
- Make sure your language settings are among the supported ones. For India, English (India) is supported, and more languages are being added. The Economic Times+3Apple Support+3Apple+3
4.4 Use-Cases in Indian Life
- Travel & commuting: Need to converse with someone in a different regional language or tourist speaking English – Live Translation in conversations (in person or over phone) helps.
- E-commerce & shopping: Visual Intelligence for searching similar products from apps or websites helps avoid errors / get better deals.
- Education: Students facing materials in multiple languages can translate / summarise content easily.
- Family / Social: Messaging grandparents or relatives who prefer another language; on-device tools help.
5. How to Activate / Use These New Features
Let’s go step by step so you can start using them immediately.
5.1 Checking Compatibility
| Requirement | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Device model | Needs to be an Apple Intelligence-enabled device. If your iPhone is recent (e.g. iPhone 11 onward) you'll likely be eligible. Check Apple’s compatibility list. Apple+1 |
| Operating System | Update to iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, or visionOS 26. Apple+1 |
| Language & Region Support | Set language to one supported by Apple Intelligence (e.g. English (India), etc.). Some features may roll out region-by-region. Apple Support+1 |
5.2 Updating Your Device
- Backup your device (iCloud / local) just in case.
- Connect to WiFi (large update, so good bandwidth helps).
- Go to Settings → General → Software Update, download & install iOS 26 (or the relevant OS on iPad/Mac).
- After reboot, check Settings → General → Language & Region to ensure language settings are optimal.
5.3 Using Key Features: Walk-Throughs
Here are hands-on steps for top features:
- Live Translation (Messages / FaceTime / Calls)
• Open Messages, start typing. If your language differs from recipient’s, language suggestion / auto-translate will appear.
• For FaceTime, enable captions in the settings or via call interface.
• For calls, once translated voice mode is on, ensure your preferred translation language is set in Settings → Languages & Translation (or similar).
- Visual Intelligence (Search / Actions on Screen)
• When you see content you want to act on (image, flyer, text), take a screenshot.
• Press the screenshot preview or via Action Button or Control Center → choose “Visual Intelligence” (or “Search / Translate / Add Event”).
• Highlight object or text → system gives contextual options: search similar items, translate, summarise, etc.
- Genmoji & Image Playground
• Open Messages or Photos (depending on where the tool is) → Genmoji / Image Playground.
• Use text input to describe the style or character of Genmoji. Or pick style options.
• Use Image Playground for custom backgrounds, stylised images.
- Reminders / Wallet Upgrades
• For Reminders: when reading an email or note, if Apple Intelligence suggests an action, you’ll see suggestion (“Add to Reminders”, categorize etc.).
• In Wallet: check the orders/tracking tab – if you have order emails/carrier emails, Wallet should summarize and show status.
5.4 Tips & Best Practices
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Keep battery charged and enough free storage before OS update. Large updates may take time.
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Use updated firmware for accessories (e.g. AirPods) so translation via AirPods works.
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Check your privacy settings: ensure you’re comfortable with on-device vs cloud-assisted processing. Apple lets you see which features process offline or use cloud.
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Because AI features can demand more from the device, keep your device's software up to date to ensure bug fixes and performance optimizations.
6. Limitations & What to Expect Later
While these updates are powerful, some limitations remain and certain features are still being rolled out or improved.
- Language support: While English (India) is supported, many Indian regional languages are not yet part of Live Translation. It means translating between, say, Tamil ↔ Kannada, or Bengali ↔ Hindi in voice mode may not work yet.
- Device constraints: Older iPhones may not support all features (especially visual intelligence offline, or features that require specific hardware like more powerful chips).
- Accuracy: Translations & recognition may still be imperfect—accent, background noise, colloquialisms can affect results.
- Latency / Performance: Some features working over network or cloud might have delays depending on your internet speed.
Expect Apple to roll out incremental improvements: more regional languages, better translation models, wider device compatibility. Keep watch for updates.
7. FAQs
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is this update free? | Yes. The software updates are free for eligible devices. Apple Intelligence is part of the OS update. Apple+1 |
| Will my device slow down? | Possibly if it's older, but Apple designs these features to optimize for performance. Some on-device features may use more resources; consider what you enable. |
| Is this safe / private? | Apple emphasizes on-device processing. For more complex tasks, there is Private Cloud Compute; data isn’t stored or shared unnecessarily. Apple+1 |
| Can I disable features I don’t want? | Yes. You can disable or tweak settings for features like Live Translation, or turn off suggestions. Also choose what runs on device vs cloud. |
| When will Indian regional languages be added? | No firm timeline yet for all languages. Apple says more language support will roll out “soon” including languages beyond the ones already supported. Keep watch in support updates. |
8. Conclusion & Call To Action
Today’s Apple Intelligence update marks a significant milestone. Whether you’re someone who loves new features, needs better multilingual support, or just wants to simplify daily tasks — there’s something in this update for you.
But that’s only useful if you act:
- ✅ Update your device to iOS 26 or the relevant OS immediately (if eligible).
- 🔍 Try out Live Translation in a real conversation — perhaps with someone in another Indian language, just to see how well it works.
- 🛠️ Explore Visual Intelligence — try searching objects from images or adding events from screenshots.
- 🎨 Play with Genmoji / Image Playground— customise your chat backgrounds or emojis to reflect your style.
If you try these features, share your experience: what worked, what needs improvement. Drop a comment below or share a post on social media using #AppleIntelligenceIndia. Your feedback helps everyone.