Apple's latest iOS 18.2 update has brought a mix of innovation and frustration, particularly for some users who tested Apple Intelligence in the beta phase. After updating to the stable release, many are finding that the highly anticipated AI features are either completely missing or stuck while downloading.
Apple Intelligence Missing or Stuck
The Apple Intelligence suite, which includes features like Genmoji, Image Cleanup, and Image Playground, has generated significant buzz. However, users who transitioned from the iOS 18.2 beta to the stable release are reporting that these features are either unavailable or perpetually stuck in a "downloading" state.
This issue seems to exclusively affect users who had Apple Intelligence enabled during the beta. While the AI tools worked properly in beta, the stable update appears to have locked them out. Users who did not participate in the beta, on the other hand, seem to be experiencing no issues.
Some users report being stuck at "downloading 99%," while others cannot even initiate the download. Some are also encountering cryptic "Settings Error" messages when trying to toggle AI settings or adjust Siri preferences. Additionally, some users report HomeKit devices becoming unresponsive after the update.
Potential Bug and Limited Workarounds
Although Apple has not released an official statement, reports suggest that the company is aware of the issue. Speculation points to a bug in the stable update that specifically impacts beta testers. Whether it's a flaw in the download process or an oversight in the rollout, it's clear that Apple Intelligence is not working correctly for many users.
Some users have attempted to fix the issue with various methods, such as resetting their devices, toggling AI features on and off, restoring their phones, and changing Siri's language settings. Yet, the issue persists for many. In one peculiar case, a user could still access Writing Tools and Image Cleanup, but nothing else. For many, however, the suite is completely missing.
For now, affected users must wait for a fix. If Apple is aware of the problem, a patch or follow-up update could be released in the near future.
Other Issues
This isn't the only problem with Apple’s recent updates. Users of macOS 15.2 are struggling with an external display mirroring bug. Some iOS 18.2 users are also missing the Image Playground and Genmoji features, which are part of Apple Intelligence. On the positive side, Apple's updates have brought more carriers on board for RCS messaging, and a long-standing phantom hub issue with HomeKit has been fixed in HomePod's 18.2 update.
