Apple is preparing to bring its artificial intelligence platform to mainland China in December, ending a prolonged wait for users in the country. However, the initial release will not include the company’s latest Siri AI assistant or several newly announced capabilities, as regulatory approval remains pending.
According to people familiar with the plans, Apple Intelligence is expected to arrive through the upcoming iOS 27.3 update. The rollout will cover features first introduced in the US around 2 years ago across the iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Apple received preliminary approval to introduce Apple Intelligence in China in July. However, the company has held further discussions with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to secure clearance for the consumer launch. The release has faced repeated delays, having initially been expected in May 2025 before being pushed back to the end of that year and then to the following spring.
To meet local regulatory requirements, Apple has partnered with Alibaba Group and introduced additional safeguards, including a filtering system that allows government approval of ongoing AI model updates. The company is also working with Baidu on search-related functions and Siri features. On September 29, Chinese authorities issued permits allowing recent iPhones to support Apple Intelligence and Alibaba AI models, including Tongyi Wanxiang and Qwen.
The first version is expected to include features such as Genmoji custom emojis, notification summaries, writing tools and photo editing options that remove unwanted objects. However, Apple’s in-house image-generation tools, including the Image Playground app, will be excluded to comply with local regulations. Certain text-generation capabilities will also face restrictions in some applications.
The rollout will not include the redesigned Siri AI assistant, which uses Google Gemini models, or newer features such as expanded photo editing, upgraded writing tools, enhanced Genmoji and camera-based visual intelligence. Apple executives are reportedly not optimistic about Siri AI becoming available in China soon.
The delayed launch also raises questions about Apple’s competitiveness in a market where Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo already offer AI-powered smartphone features. Apple’s initial AI tools have faced criticism over their performance, prompting the company to develop more advanced capabilities.
In the European Union, Apple has also encountered regulatory hurdles. While most of its latest AI capabilities received clearance for a September release, the new Siri assistant remains unavailable on iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches, with its launch timeline still uncertain.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream LinkedIn | The Mainstream Facebook | The Mainstream Youtube | The Mainstream Twitter
About us:
The Mainstream is a premier platform delivering the latest updates and informed perspectives across the technology business and cyber landscape. Built on research-driven, thought leadership and original intellectual property, The Mainstream also curates summits & conferences that convene decision makers to explore how technology reshapes industries and leadership. With a growing presence in India and globally across the Middle East, Africa, ASEAN, the USA, the UK and Australia, The Mainstream carries a vision to bring the latest happenings and insights to 8.2 billion people and to place technology at the centre of conversation for leaders navigating the future.