Nearly two years after launch, China’s regulator has given Apple the green light to launch Apple Intelligence in the country.
Apple will rely on AI models from Baidu and Alibaba to power Apple Intelligence features in China.
Apple Intelligence is finally set for China
Since its initial announcement at WWDC24, Apple has been working with Alibaba and Chinese regulators to secure the necessary approvals for Apple Intelligence rollout in China. However, regulatory roadblocks left its release stuck in limbo.
Reuters reports that China’s Cyberspace Administration registered Apple’s on-device generative AI service on its clearance list. This paves the way for Apple to roll out Apple Intelligence in China. Regulatory laws in the country require companies to register their LLMs and generative AI services before launch.
Instead of Google Gemini, though, Apple will use AI models from Baidu and Alibaba for its AI features. Alibaba’s Qwen model will power Apple Intelligence across the board on iOS, iPadOS and macOS, including presumably the new Siri.
Apple is also working with Baidu to use its AI model for Apple Intelligence features.
There is still no confirmed launch date for Apple Intelligence in China. However, Apple will likely launch its AI features with iOS 27 and macOS 27 in the country later this year.
Lack of AI features cannot slow down iPhone sales in China
Despite the lack of AI features, iPhones continue to sell remarkably well in China. Since launching in September 2025, the iPhone 17 lineup has consistently ranked among the country’s best-selling smartphones.
Apple maintains that momentum even as the broader smartphone market is facing headwinds from rising DRAM and NAND prices. This has led to devices getting more expensive and the smartphone market shrinking.
Once Apple finally brings its AI platform to China, the company could gain another compelling selling point in one of its most important markets.
