Apple has been trying to bring its Intelligence features to China, the world biggest smartphone market. From the beginning, the company has faced hurdles from both Chinese regulators and U.S. lawmakers. Now, after months of delays, the launch may finally be within reach.
Why Apple needed local partners
One of the biggest hurdles for Apple has been China regulatory rules. Any company launching a generative AI product must receive approval from local authorities, and foreign tools like OpenAI ChatGPT or Google Gemini are not available in the country. This forced Apple to seek a domestic partner, and earlier this year Alibaba Group chairman Joe Tsai confirmed that Apple had chosen Alibaba to support the rollout. Baidu is also rumored to be involved in specific areas of the service.
Initially, Apple aimed to launch Apple Intelligence in mid-2025. But approvals were delayed, reportedly due to ongoing tensions in the US-China trade relationship.
Political pressure on both sides
The partnership has drawn criticism in the United States as well. Lawmakers have raised concerns about national security, comparing the risks to earlier debates around TikTok. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, a senior member of the House Intelligence Committee, called the arrangement “extremely disturbing,” while Greg Allen, director at the Wadhwani A.I. Center, warned that American firms should not give Chinese companies an advantage in the global AI race.
A critical launch window
Despite the scrutiny, Apple is pressing ahead. Bloomberg Mark Gurman recently reported that Apple Intelligence is being tested with employees in China and could be released with iOS 26.1 or iOS 26.2 before the year ends. Apple is said to view the rollout as essential to the success of the upcoming iPhone 17 range, which will be unveiled at the “Awe dropping” event this week.
For now, iPhone users in China cannot access Apple Intelligence, even if their devices were purchased abroad. A simplified Chinese version was released in April 2024, but only for users outside the mainland. If Apple manages to launch the features locally this year, it would close a high-profile gap and give the iPhone 17 lineup a major boost in one of Apple most competitive markets.
