China grants approval for Apple Intelligence on iPhones, with Alibaba and Baidu becoming partners.

      Apple Intelligence finally gains access to China

      Apple Intelligence has successfully navigated through the complex regulatory environment in China, nearly two years after making the AI suite available to iPhone users in other regions. The Cyberspace Administration of China has officially registered Apple Intelligence for use on iPhones within the country, eliminating the primary regulatory barrier that delayed its launch. This approval allows Apple to implement its generative AI tools on devices in China. The only remaining step is waiting for Apple and regulators to announce a launch date.

      Alibaba and Baidu become new AI collaborators

      Apple Intelligence in China will utilize technology from two of the nation's leading AI firms. Alibaba has announced that its Qwen model will be incorporated into the Apple Intelligence experience across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS for users in China. Meanwhile, Qwen will assist in processing text and images as well as generating content directly within Apple’s operating systems.

      Baidu has also confirmed its collaboration with Apple to create features for Apple Intelligence aimed at Chinese iPhone users. Currently, it is unclear how the tasks will be divided between Baidu and Alibaba, making the specific contributions of each model uncertain. Moreover, the regulatory approval only pertains to iPhones, meaning that the two-year absence of AI capabilities is only partially alleviated, with Chinese iPads, Macs, and Vision Pro headsets still lacking this feature.

      Chinese iPhones can finally access AI

      Apple introduced Apple Intelligence in June 2024, but stringent regulatory demands delayed its arrival in mainland China for two years. According to Apple’s support documentation, devices already sold in the region should be able to activate the service when it officially launches.

      The extended absence of the feature has put Apple at a disadvantage compared to Huawei, Xiaomi, and other Chinese manufacturers that had already integrated generative AI into their devices. Despite Apple and Alibaba submitting features for review in early 2025, the process was hindered by rising geopolitical tensions between China and the United States.

      Vikhyaat Vivek is a tech journalist and reviewer with seven years of experience covering consumer hardware, with a focus on...

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