Apple Intelligence, the AI system designed to supercharge iPhones with smarter features, is officially launching in China. The move follows regulatory approval and partnerships with local tech giants Alibaba and Baidu to tailor the service for Chinese users.
How Apple Intelligence works in China
China’s Cyberspace Administration greenlit Apple’s AI services after the company struck a deal to integrate Alibaba’s Qwen AI model into its operating systems—iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS. Baidu later confirmed it’s also collaborating with Apple to develop features for the Chinese market.
These integrations will enable capabilities like text and image understanding and generation, though exact timelines remain unclear. Apple had previously delayed the rollout in China pending regulatory approval.
Why this matters for Apple and China
China is a critical market for Apple, contributing $20.5 billion in sales last quarter—a 28% year-over-year jump. The company recently reclaimed the No. 2 spot in China’s smartphone market after aggressive discounts during a major shopping festival.
The Alibaba and Baidu partnerships address earlier challenges in adapting Apple’s AI models for local users. Reports suggest Apple may also explore integrations with DeepSeek and ByteDance in the future.
What’s next for Apple Intelligence in China
While Alibaba confirmed its Qwen models will power Apple Intelligence experiences, neither company has specified a launch date. The approval marks a major step forward, but users will need to wait for official announcements on availability and specific features.
