You’ve upgraded to iOS 18.2: Why does Siri look the same on your iPhone?
The first visual cue of the new Apple Intelligence on the iPhone in iOS 18.2 is Siri’s improved look — a pulsating rainbow of colors around the edge of the entire screen. But did you update your iPhone and see the same animated sphere that’s been anchored at the bottom of the screen for the past few years?
I came across the same thing and was also confused.
Turns out I have to do one more step before I can try smarter Siri — as well as other Apple Intelligence features such as writing tools, notice summaries and on Cleaning function in Photos.
If you’re seeing the same, here’s why.
Siri’s new design is a glowing frame that distorts everything briefly.
Watch this: Apple is redesigning Siri with AI and glowing borders
Your iPhone may not be able to run Apple Intelligence
The latest system update is for anyone with an iPhone XS or later, but that doesn’t mean everyone gets Apple Intelligence. In fact, since much of the AI ​​computation is done on a device, only a few models can run the new technologies:
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple Intelligence will also work on Macs and iPads with M-series processors, as well as the latest ones iPad Mini (which is powered by the A17 Pro chip).
If you have one of these models, you’ll see the shiny new look when you call up Siri. On the Mac, the Siri search box gets the same effect instead of full-screen edges. If you have a different model, you’ll see the same Siri orb.
Siri in iOS 18 looks the same as it did in iOS 17 for many people.
You may be idle on the Apple Intelligence waiting list
Apple Intelligence is officially considered a beta feature, even on supported devices. As part of this prerelease program, Apple provides access to people who request it in waves. (For more see why Apple takes this waitlist approach.)
After installing iOS 18.2 (or iPadOS 18.2 or MacOS Sequoia 15.2), you need to go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri and touch Join the Apple Intelligence Waitlist > Join the Waitlist. The new Siri effect only appears after you’ve requested it and is provided access.
Reports online and from friends suggest that people can start using Apple Intelligence after just a few hours of waiting. This will no doubt vary as Apple balances demand across its network of Private Cloud Compute infrastructure.
For more, here the right way to back up your iPhone before installing iOS 18.2 and eight settings you want to change first in iOS 18.2.
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