With the latest iOS 18.4 beta, Apple Intelligence has received support for multiple languages for the first time. This raises the question of how well the AI can actually handle multilingual input. Users who regularly switch between different languages want to know whether Apple Intelligence is flexible enough or whether there are limitations. The good news is: Apple Intelligence recognizes multiple languages and can work in them. However, there are some hurdles and not all functions are equally mature.
Apple is taking a different approach to its AI integration than companies like OpenAI or Google. While ChatGPT or Google Bard already work in numerous languages, Apple's initial focus was on English. Now that has changed, but there are still some limitations. What is particularly interesting is how Apple Intelligence handles situations in which users switch between languages or process content in different languages. The test shows that some functions already work well, while others still require adjustments.
Supported languages in iOS 18.4 Beta
Apple Intelligence can currently be used in a limited number of languages. The current beta version supports the following languages:
- English (Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Great Britain, USA)
- French
- German
- Italian
- Portuguese (Brazil)
- Spanish
- Japanese
- Korean
- Chinese (simplified)
Support for these languages means that Apple Intelligence is able to analyze text, summarize content, and perform generative functions in these languages.
Multilingual use: How well does Apple Intelligence work?
If you regularly switch between two or more languages, you can use Apple Intelligence without any major problems. The AI automatically recognizes the language when text is entered. This means that you can, for example, write a note in English while writing another in German without having to manually switch between languages beforehand. Certain functions such as Genmoji or the writing tools process text input in multiple languages and deliver appropriate results. What is particularly surprising is that Apple seems to have integrated country-specific knowledge. In the case of Brazil, for example, the AI recognizes typical Brazilian dishes and can generate appropriate content. Summary functions also work in multiple languages. If a message is received in German, the summary is displayed in the same language. If you receive a text in English, the summary also remains in English. This applies to notifications as well as Safari and Mail summaries.
limitations in language processing
Despite the positive approaches, there are still some weak points. One of them concerns Siri. The voice assistant can currently only work in one language. So if you have Siri set to English, you cannot give voice commands in German or French. Flexible multilingualism, as Google Assistant already offers, would be desirable here. However, there is a way to use Siri in multiple languages: "Type to Siri". This function allows you to ask Siri requests in different languages, as long as they are typed and not spoken. This is a small but practical workaround for users who use different languages in parallel. Another problem concerns some generative AI functions such as Genmoji. These do not automatically work in multiple languages, but require an additional language to be added in the iPhone settings under "Language & Region". Only then does Apple Intelligence download the required language models for that language.
How to optimally configure Apple Intelligence
To make Apple Intelligence work as well as possible, there are some adjustments that can be made.
- Add a second or third language under Settings > General > Language & Region
- Keep the main language but register additional languages so that Apple Intelligence can recognize them
- Use “Type to Siri” to give Siri commands in multiple languages
- Check if Genmoji or other generative AI features are enabled for the desired language
These steps will help you use Apple Intelligence more flexibly and provide better multilingual support.
Apple Intelligence is improving – but is not yet perfect
Apple Intelligence takes an important step forward with multilingual support. The AI automatically recognizes different languages and can process content accordingly. The ability to use summaries and generative functions in multiple languages is particularly positive. However, there are limitations. Siri is limited to one language in voice control, and some AI features must be activated manually. Those who want to make the most of Apple Intelligence should adjust their device settings and enable the available languages. Apple could make further improvements to Apple Intelligence before the official release of iOS 18.4 in April. While Apple Intelligence isn't perfect yet, it's already well-suited for multilingual users. Discover a whole host of useful tips and tricks related to Apple Intelligence! Here you'll find everything you need to know to get the most out of your Apple devices' smart features – enjoy browsing and trying them out! Our Amazon Storefront : The best products for your smart home and much more! (Image: Apple)
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