Apple is reportedly preparing to launch Apple Intelligence in China before the year wraps up, making it the first major US AI software to officially land in the country, if the rollout goes through.

Apple Intelligence could break through China’s AI firewall

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is now eyeing a late 2025 release window for Apple Intelligence in China. While the AI features have already begun rolling out globally with iOS 18, China has so far been left out due to regulatory complications.

Now, it seems Apple is navigating those roadblocks. Sources say Chinese employees are already testing Apple Intelligence internally, suggesting that localization and regulatory hurdles may be closer to being cleared.

Apple needs a local partner to get Apple Intelligence approved

Apple’s road into China isn’t exactly smooth. Local law requires all foreign AI models to partner with Chinese firms or regulators. Reports suggest Apple has explored a partnership with Alibaba, which would allow it to comply with Chinese internet and data regulations while still offering generative AI features.

That’s a big deal. To date, OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft haven’t made their AI platforms available in China. If Apple succeeds, Apple Intelligence would be the first generative AI system from a Western tech giant to launch in the country.

iOS 26.1 or 26.2 may carry Apple Intelligence into China

While the current version of iOS in China lacks these features, the report claims that Apple is targeting the release of iOS 26.1 or 26.2 as the vehicle for the AI rollout. That update is expected to land before the end of 2025, which means a full deployment could arrive within months.

Here’s what Chinese users could get if it launches on schedule:

• AI-enhanced Siri
• Writing assistance in Mail, Notes, and Messages
• AI-generated summaries and suggestions
• System-level intelligence integrated across apps

China–US tensions still loom over AI rollout

Apple’s ambitions arrive in the middle of ongoing tech tensions between the US and China. While China continues to push domestic AI development, it has acknowledged falling behind Western tech in recent years. Meanwhile, the US has restricted access to advanced American-designed chips, blocking companies like NVIDIA from selling their highest-end AI GPUs in China.

This standoff makes Apple’s AI plans even more significant. If Apple Intelligence lands in China this year, it won’t just be a product release. It’ll be a geopolitical breakthrough in the AI space.

For now, all eyes are on Apple’s next iOS update and whether Siri is about to start speaking a lot more Mandarin.