On Oct. 15, Reuters, in a report reproduced by MarketScreener, and Agencia EFE, in a report carried by Yahoo, both attributed to Tim Cook a statement to Shanghai-based outlet The Paper: China had approved Apple Intelligence’s initial features, and a public test was planned before October ended. The reported first phase would include real-time translation, writing tools and photo cleanup, but not Siri AI. Both reports traced those details to the same interview.
For a broader look at Apple Intelligence’s tools, see our earlier overview.
Apple’s access rules depend on where a device was purchased
Apple’s support guidance says compatible devices purchased in mainland China cannot use Apple Intelligence. For compatible devices purchased elsewhere, Apple says the feature will not work when the user is in mainland China and the Apple Account country or region is also set to mainland China.
Apple’s Spanish-language support page, dated Sept. 21, says previously purchased compatible devices will be able to activate a basic set of features when Apple Intelligence becomes available in mainland China. It says newer features will remain unavailable there while Apple works through regulatory requirements.
A separate iOS 27.3 plan
A separate Bloomberg report, summarized by GSMArena, put a limited China rollout alongside iOS 27.3 in December 2026. It said that version would omit Siri AI and Image Playground and restrict text generation in some apps.
