ChatGPT in iOS 18.2: Here’s what Apple Intelligence has coming next

iOS 18.2 is launching next month, and with it a new wave of Apple Intelligence features. One of the most powerful additions: ChatGPT is getting baked into Siri and the new system writing tools on AI-compatible devices. Here’s how that works, and the key details you’ll want to know.

Everything you can do with ChatGPT in iOS 18.2

• Send any and every Siri request directly to ChatGPT: Apple demoed its ChatGPT integration as something secondary to Siri’s knowledge, with certain questions answered by Siri and others by ChatGPT. But in iOS 18.2 you can start your Siri request with “Ask ChatGPT” and the assistant will automatically send the query straight to ChatGPT.
• ChatGPT, via Siri, can create images on command: Via Siri, you can ask ChatGPT to create any kind of original image per your description. This will bypass Apple’s own Image Playground system and use ChatGPT’s smarts for image generation.
• Permission prompts can be disabled: By default, Siri prompts you before sending data to ChatGPT. But inside the Apple Intelligence menu in Settings, you can choose to bypass Siri’s permission prompts by flipping a toggle. The only exception is when a file would be sent to ChatGPT, in which case Siri will still get your permission first.
• You can draft original text with ChatGPT: The new AI writing tools Apple introduced in iOS 18.1 are getting upgraded in a key way in iOS 18.2. Whereas Apple’s tools will only proofread, rewrite, or reformat existing text, ChatGPT is now baked in for drafting original text from scratch. Just hit the new Compose button inside the writing tools menu.

Key details of the ChatGPT integration

• No OpenAI account is required, but you can optionally log in: You can use ChatGPT in iOS 18.2 without creating an OpenAI account. However, if you’d like to link your activity to an existing or new account, that’s possible inside the Settings app.
• Apple offers a ChatGPT Plus subscription: One benefit of logging into an OpenAI account is that if you’re a ChatGPT Plus user, there are additional features available in iOS 18.2. Fortunately, Apple makes it easy to subscribe right inside the Settings app.
• ChatGPT is off by default: After installing iOS 18.2, ChatGPT integration requires explicit consent to turn on. It’s off by default. But during the beta onboarding process, you’re asked whether you want to activate the integration or not.

iOS 18.2 availability and release date

Certain Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18.2 will require a special waitlist for access. Fortunately, ChatGPT support is not one of those features, so you can use it immediately upon installing the new software.

Currently iOS 18.2 is only available in a beta release. You can download and install it with a developer account or join the public beta.

If you’d prefer to avoid betas altogether, iOS 18.2 is expected to ship publicly around mid-December.

Have you tried the ChatGPT integration in iOS 18.2? Let us know what you think via the comments.

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