Apple will test AI features in China this month, without the new Siri, Cook says

Apple’s first approved AI features in China will reach a test version later in October 2026, Tim Cook told The Paper on October 15. The initial tools cover live translation, writing and photo cleanup, but not the newer Siri AI assistant—a significant boundary between Apple Intelligence’s first steps in China and its newer capabilities elsewhere.

Three confirmed tools, not the whole suite

Speaking in Shanghai, Apple executive chairman Cook said the company had approval to bring Chinese users its first core Apple Intelligence features. He named Live Translation, Writing Tools and the Clean Up tool in the Photos app. His statement concerned that initial group, rather than approval for every feature sold under the Apple Intelligence name.

December could bring more, but not Siri AI

Bloomberg’s October 14 reporting describes a broader mainland China launch in December, Digital Trends reports. That plan would bring first-generation Apple Intelligence features to iPhone, iPad and Mac users with iOS 27.3. The expected package includes Writing Tools, notification summaries, Genmoji and object removal in Photos.

Siri AI launched elsewhere this year with improved conversation, personal context, awareness of on-screen content and actions across apps, Digital Trends says. Bloomberg reports that Apple does not expect that assistant to arrive in China anytime soon.

Other reported limits

• Image Playground and newer image-expansion features would remain unavailable.
• Upgraded Genmoji and some newer Writing Tools capabilities would also be excluded.
• Text generation would be restricted in certain apps.

The regulatory trail includes local models

Those records list Apple Intelligence alongside Alibaba’s Tongyi Wanxiang and Tongyi Qianwen models. The changes cover phones including the iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro series, iPhone 17 Pro series and iPhone Air, The Paper found.

Digital Trends, citing Bloomberg, says Alibaba supplied safeguards tailored to Chinese regulatory requirements, while Baidu is working with Apple on search and Siri-related functions.

For hardware eligibility, The Paper cites Apple’s China website as listing every iPhone 16 model or later, plus iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone Air. That is the site’s Apple Intelligence compatibility list, not a separately specified roster for the forthcoming October test.