Six Apple Intelligence Features I Actually Use Daily
While most of the buzz around Apple now focuses on future iPhone 17 rumors, it's worth taking a look at the AI features already in our hands. Apple Intelligence may not have been the revolutionary leap some expected, but its homegrown AI technology has quietly integrated itself into my daily routine in surprisingly useful ways.
I've found that the most valuable tools aren't always the flashiest ones like Image Playground. Instead, they are the subtle enhancements that make a real difference. If you have a compatible device—like an iPhone 15 Pro or newer—here are six Apple Intelligence features that I'm using almost every day. Keep in mind that Apple Intelligence is still in beta, with more capabilities on the way. And if you're not ready to dive in, you can always disable the AI features until you're more comfortable.
Get Smarter Alerts with Priority Notifications
This recent addition has quickly become a favorite. Priority Notifications uses AI to identify which alerts are most important and pushes them to the top of your lock screen with a signature shimmer. In my experience, it effectively highlights weather alerts, messages from frequent contacts, and emails with urgent calls to action. To set it up, navigate to Settings > Notifications > Prioritize Notifications and toggle it on. While you're trusting the AI to make the right call, it has proven remarkably effective so far.
TLDR for Everything with AI Summaries
In an age of information overload, getting a quick summary is a lifesaver. Apple Intelligence provides "too long; didn't read" (TL;DR) versions of notifications, emails, and web pages. When a long text thread comes in, your iPhone condenses it into a single, digestible sentence.
While the summaries can sometimes be unintentionally amusing and may not grasp sarcasm, they are generally more helpful than not. You can also generate longer summaries in the Mail app by tapping the Summarize button, or in Safari's Reader view for a quick rundown of long articles. If you find it's not for you, turning off summaries is simple.
A Revamped Siri Experience
The new Siri interface, with its colorful halo glowing around the screen, is now available on supported devices. If you're not seeing the new look, some settings might need adjustment.
Beyond aesthetics, Siri is more forgiving of stutters and better at understanding follow-up questions. While deep personalization is still on the horizon, the recent integration of ChatGPT provides a powerful alternative source for answers, accessible even without an account.
Invoke Siri Silently with a Tap
My favorite new Siri feature is the ability to use it without speaking. In a house full of Apple devices, saying "Hey Siri" can be a gamble. Plus, it allows for more discreet queries in public. With Tap to Siri, you simply double-tap the bottom edge of your iPhone screen to bring up a text input bar. This lets you type your request with more precision and without disturbing those around you.
Erase Distractions with the Clean Up Tool
Until recently, removing unwanted objects from photos on an iPhone required a third-party app. Now, the Photos app includes Clean Up, an AI-enhanced tool that makes it easy to remove distractions. When editing a photo, tap the Clean Up button, and the AI will suggest items to remove. You can also circle an object manually, and generative AI will fill in the background. While not always perfect, it's incredibly convenient for quick touch-ups.
Stay Focused with Reduce Interruptions Mode
iPhone's Focus modes are already powerful, but Apple Intelligence adds a new, smarter option: Reduce Interruptions. When enabled, this mode acts as an intelligent filter, allowing only the most crucial notifications to get through—even some that don't fit your usual criteria, like a weather alert or a fraud text from your bank. You can activate it easily from the Control Center to help you stay on task without missing what's truly important.
