As Apple Intelligence gets closer to public availability, the first release candidates of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, tvOS 18.1, visionOS 2.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 are now available.
Examples of Apple Intelligence at work.
The first release candidates of iOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1, and iPadOS 18.1 arrive after the seventh build, which landed on October 14, or for macOS, October 15. The sixth builds landed on October 7. The RC for tvOS 18.1 lands after five developer betas, and visionOS 2.1 after six.
At the time of publication, there isn't a RC build for watchOS 11.1. With Apple's release list including all of the RC versions but not watchOS in that list, it seems unlikely that an RC for it will arrive today.
The new iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 build numbers are both 22B82. The new macOS 15.1 build is number 24B82, visionOS is 22N580, and tvOS 18.1 is 22J6578.
Alongside the release candidates, Apple also issued an update for iOS 17.7.1 and iPadOS 17.7.1, build number 21H216.
The primary difference between the iOS 18.1 and 18 operating system versions is the addition of Apple Intelligence, which includes generative AI and machine learning features. However, not all Apple Intelligence features will be available when it is eventually released.
Initial Apple Intelligence features put to testing included a new Siri animation, Type to Siri, a better understanding of queries and contextual awareness, product knowledge, and a swathe of writing tools.
The third developer beta brought with it Clean Up for Photos, which lets users remove unwanted elements from images.
In the fifth build, Apple's iOS 18.1 changes were largely nothing to do with Apple Intelligence. The changes included enabling file drag and drop with the iPhone Mirroring feature of macOS, a new selfie option for Camera Control, and adjustments to Control Center.
The sixth iOS 18.1 build concentrated on sleep apnea detection, connectivity and Measure toggles in Control Center, and other features instead of Apple Intelligence specifically. The seventh build continued the non-Apple Intelligence improvements.
AppleInsider and Apple strongly advise that users do not install test operating systems or other beta or RC software onto "mission-critical" or primary hardware, due to the small chance of issues that could result in the loss of data. Testers should therefore use secondary or non-essential devices and make sure they have sufficient backups of any critical data.
Find any changes in the new builds? Reach out to us on Twitter at @AppleInsider or @Andrew_OSU, or send Andrew an email at andrew@AppleInsider.com.