Getting Started: A Beginner's Guide to Apple AI

By Ruby Pham - Digital Marketing & Growth Strategy Lead, Pixel Commerce Studio

November 26, 2025

New to Apple AI? This beginner-friendly guide walks you through the first steps, from enabling the features to using Siri, Writing Tools, and Image Playground.

Apple Intelligence: AI for the rest of us, seamlessly integrated across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Your First Steps with Apple AI

If you are new to the world of Apple AI, getting started is straightforward. Apple has designed its personal intelligence system to be intuitive and easy to use. The key is to know where to find the features and how to turn them on. By following a few simple steps, you can begin to experience the benefits of AI on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Furthermore, a gradual approach to these new tools can make the learning process fun and engaging.

An image showcasing a MacBook and iPhone using Apple Intelligence for communication, writing tools, and noise reduction. — Enhance communication with Apple Intelligence Writing Tools across Mac and iPhone.

First and foremost, you will need to enable Apple AI on your device. Go to Settings, then tap on the Apple Intelligence & Siri menu. From there, you will be able to activate the features and customize your settings. In addition, you can choose whether to use voice or text to interact with Siri, which is now more capable than ever. Most importantly, this setup process is quick and simple, getting you ready to use the new features in minutes.

How to get Apple Intelligence" from official documentation, detailing setup on Apple devices. — Unlock Apple Intelligence: Your first steps to enabling powerful new AI features.

Next, a great place to start is with the Writing Tools. Open an app like Messages or Notes and start typing. You will notice a new icon that gives you access to the AI features. Tap on it, and you will see options like Proofread, Rewrite, and Summarize. For example, try writing a sentence and then using the Rewrite feature to see how it can be changed to sound more professional or friendly. This hands-on experience is the best way to understand what the AI can do for you.

Screenshot of Apple Intelligence Writing Tools menu with options for proofread, rewrite, summary, and tone adjustments. — Intelligent Writing Tools: Proofread, rewrite, and summarize text with new Apple AI.

Furthermore, experiment with the new Siri. The new Siri can be activated just by saying "Siri" or by double-tapping the bottom of the screen. Try asking it to perform a simple task, such as "Siri, play my favorite playlist." Then, follow up with another request, like "And add 'Don't Stop Me Now' to the end." The new Siri's ability to maintain context is a significant upgrade. Consequently, this makes it feel much more like a natural conversation.

Two panels demonstrating Apple AI's ability to summarize differences in notes and create images using Image Playground — Accelerate workflows with intelligent shortcuts and create new images with Image Playground AI.

Finally, don't be afraid to try the more creative features. Open an app like Notes and access Image Playground to create a unique image. Simply type a description, and the AI will generate an image for you. As these steps demonstrate, getting started with how to use Apple AI is all about exploration and experimentation. The more you use these features, the more you will discover how they can help you in your daily life.