Apple Intelligence tipped for China launch in late 2025

Apple Intelligence

Apple Intelligence, the company’s headline AI effort, is expected to launch in China before the close of 2025, according to a new Bloomberg report. The rollout is likely to come via iOS 26.1 or 26.2, marking the end of months of regulatory wrangling.

Unlike in the US and Europe, Apple cannot deploy Apple Intelligence in China without government approval — and that usually requires working with domestic partners. Previous reports hinted Apple was in talks with Baidu and Alibaba, and the latest update suggests both companies will be involved. Baidu will reportedly provide the “brains” of the system, similar to how OpenAI’s ChatGPT powers some features in the West, while Alibaba will handle compliance, ensuring Apple Intelligence meets Beijing’s requirements.

That dual role illustrates Apple’s delicate balancing act. On one side, it needs Apple Intelligence available globally to drive sales of the upcoming iPhone 17. On the other, it must navigate China’s strict tech rules and political sensitivities. The US government has also flagged concerns about Apple working so closely with Chinese firms on AI.

Internally, Apple is said to be testing Apple Intelligence with employees in China, though ordinary users remain locked out. Even iPhones purchased abroad lose access to the features if the Apple ID is registered in China. A simplified Chinese version of Apple Intelligence was released in April 2024, but only for users outside the mainland.

For Apple, the stakes are high. China remains one of its biggest markets, and without Apple Intelligence, the iPhone 17 could land without its most hyped feature. Bringing AI to Chinese users — even in a constrained, locally managed form — may be crucial to keeping Apple competitive against the likes of Huawei, Oppo and other Chinese players.