Here's When to Expect Apple Intelligence to Launch on the New iPad Mini

Just like iPhone 16 models, the new iPad mini is likely to launch without Apple Intelligence, but the features should be available on the device soon.

ipad mini 7 feature
Geekbench results for the iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip list the device as running iPadOS 18.0, instead of iPadOS 18.1 with Apple Intelligence.

Last month, a private account on social media platform X with a proven track record of sharing upcoming iOS versions mentioned a special build of iPadOS 18.0 for the iPad mini 7, and it appears that the device will indeed come preinstalled with iPadOS 18.0 out of the box when it begins arriving to customers on Wednesday, October 23.

Fortunately, new iPad mini owners shouldn't have to wait too long for Apple Intelligence. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman this week reiterated his expectation that iPadOS 18.1 will be released on Monday, October 28, so Apple Intelligence should be available on the new iPad mini merely five days after the device launches.

Apple's press release for the new iPad mini had already mentioned that the first Apple Intelligence features would be available on the device starting with an iPadOS 18.1 software update this month, and now the situation is fully clear.

The first Apple Intelligence features include writing tools, notification summaries, and more.

Related Roundup: iPad mini
Buyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Buy Now)
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

Generic iOS 18

Apple Announces iOS 18.2 Launching Today With These New Features

Wednesday December 11, 2024 5:23 am PST by
Apple has announced that iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 will be released today following more than six weeks of beta testing. For the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models, the update introduces additional Apple Intelligence features, including Genmoji for creating custom emoji, Image Playground and Image Wand for generating images, and ChatGPT integration for Siri. There is also ...
iphone 17 pro concept render cameras

Major iPhone 17 Pro Redesign Backed by Supply Chain Info, Claims Leaker

Thursday December 12, 2024 4:36 am PST by
Next year's iPhone 17 Pro models will reportedly feature a major redesign, specifically centering around changes to the rear camera module, and now new supply chain information appears to confirm the striking change, according to a Chinese leaker. iPhone 17 Pro concept render Late last month, The Information's Wayne Ma claimed that the rear of the ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro...
m4 mac mini hands on

Cloud-Based M4 and M4 Pro Mac Mini Models Now Available

Wednesday December 11, 2024 7:34 am PST by
Developers now have access to cloud-based M4 and M4 Pro Mac mini units via MacWeb, a Silicon Valley-based provider of cloud services. The company has launched three configurations of the new Mac mini, powered by Apple's M4 and M4 Pro chips. Developers and IT teams can rent these machines for tasks ranging from basic development to advanced artificial intelligence modeling, providing an...
macOS Sequoia Night Feature

Apple Releases macOS Sequoia 15.2 With New Apple Intelligence Features

Wednesday December 11, 2024 10:02 am PST by
Apple today released macOS Sequoia 15.2, the second update to the macOS Sequoia operating system that was released in September. macOS Sequoia 15.2 comes over a month after the release of macOS Sequoia 15.1. Mac users can download the ‌macOS Sequoia‌ update through the Software Update section of System Settings. macOS Sequoia 15.2 adds Image Playground, an app that lets you create...
macbook air m2 13 inch

macOS Sequoia 15.2 Confirms New M4 MacBook Air Models Are Coming

Wednesday December 11, 2024 10:54 am PST by
Apple today made a mistake with its macOS Sequoia 15.2 update, releasing the software for two Macs that have yet to be launched. There is a software file for "Mac16,12" and "Mac16,13," which are upcoming MacBook Air models. The leaked software references the "MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025)" and the "MacBook Air (15-inch, M4, 2025)," confirming that new M4 MacBook Air models are in...
maxresdefault

Apple Releases iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 With Genmoji, Image Playground, Siri ChatGPT and More

Wednesday December 11, 2024 10:03 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2, the second major updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 updates that came out in September. The new updates come over a month after Apple released iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General >...
Generic iOS 18

Apple Seeds Second Release Candidate Versions of iOS 18.2 and More With Genmoji, Image Playground and ChatGPT Integration

Monday December 9, 2024 10:06 am PST by
Apple today seeded the second release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS 15.2 updates to developers and public beta testers for testing purposes, a week after releasing the first RCs. The first iOS 18.2 RC had a build number of 22C150, while the second RC's build number is 22C151. Release candidates represent the final version of beta software that's expected to see a ...

Top Rated Comments

abatabia Avatar
8 weeks ago
I’m going to be harsh here but this is just embarrassing at this point with the “rollout” of AI. Why the rush to release this iPad if it was just a press release? Wait until the end of the month when 18.1 is supposed to release. It’s been three years, would two more weeks really matter? Or, don’t advertise how it’s “built for apple intelligence” when it’s not here yet. Just silly.

Your opinion may differ.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
8 weeks ago

Hard disagree. I want a better Siri ASAP!
"something went wrong"
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iamgalt Avatar
8 weeks ago

I’m going to be harsh here but this is just embarrassing at this point with the “rollout” of AI. Why the rush to release this iPad if it was just a press release? Wait until the end of the month when 18.1 is supposed to release. It’s been three years, would two more weeks really matter? Or, don’t advertise how it’s “built for apple intelligence” when it’s not here yet. Just silly.

Your opinion may differ.
"wait till the end of the month when 18.1 is released" mean's that's when they would be able to load the OS onto the iPads, then they'd have to package them, then ship them out all over the world, and then put on sale. If they waited till they could release them with 18.1, it would be a delay of at least a month, if not more. Releasing it now, gets a little bit of buzz happening and raises some excitement for the new features. While I see where you're coming from with the "built for apple intelligence" phrase, I think it's pretty clear that they mean it's "apple intelligence ready" for when it does come out, unlike many iphones, ipads, and macs. Plus there are some people who don't want to upgrade to 18.1 because they don't want AI stuff. Not that Apple is catering to this group specifically, but more people may buy it knowing they don't have to have the AI features on the latest iPad Mini.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MNWildFan Avatar
8 weeks ago

Exactly. Just release it all at once. This isn’t working.
I agree

I absolutely hate how in recent years Apple has adopted the strategy of announcing features but releasing them in phases

If you've had all the time to conceptualize of all them, then why not just spring them all on us at once???
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Spock Avatar
8 weeks ago
This is really getting old, they are selling these new devices like the lackluster iPhone Pro without the feature they are using to sell the things.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
paradox00 Avatar
8 weeks ago

I’m going to be harsh here but this is just embarrassing at this point with the “rollout” of AI. Why the rush to release this iPad if it was just a press release? Wait until the end of the month when 18.1 is supposed to release. It’s been three years, would two more weeks really matter? Or, don’t advertise how it’s “built for apple intelligence” when it’s not here yet. Just silly.

Your opinion may differ.
My opinion differs. I give Apple credit for one thing: knowing how to make the most money possible. If they believe a staggered release ahead of Apple AI will make them more money, they are probably right.

Most people aren't following as closely as those here, and staggered releases keeps Apple in more press cycles and the iPad mini doesn't get lost in the news about new Macs or AI coming to iPhones. Losing 2+ weeks of pre-christmas sales more than offsets any "embarrassment" they may feel. Even as a consumer, it's better they release them now. If you want to wait for AI before buying one, you're free to do so, but there's no need to make everyone else wait too.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)