Apple Intelligence Won’t Work On These iPhones, iPads & Macs: Is Yours On The List?

As Apple’s iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26 gear up to roll out later this year, one thing is clear — not every device will get the star attraction of this update: Apple Intelligence. The Cupertino giant has confirmed that its powerful new AI capabilities will be reserved for select devices only, leaving out a large chunk of older (and not-so-old) hardware.

Here’s a breakdown of the devices that won’t be getting Apple Intelligence, even if they’re eligible for the latest software update.

iPhone 15, But Not Smart Enough?

If you bought an iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus recently, brace yourself for disappointment — neither model will support Apple Intelligence. That’s right: despite being part of Apple’s latest flagship family, the non-Pro iPhone 15 variants are being left out.

Only the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will support Apple Intelligence. Every iPhone launched before the 15 Pro series — including earlier Pro models — is ineligible. So if you're using anything from the iPhone 14 series or older, you're out of luck when it comes to experiencing Apple’s latest on-device AI.

iPads Need M1 or A17 Pro — Nothing Less

The same exclusivity applies to iPads. Only models powered by the M1 chip or the A17 Pro processor will get the AI features. That means the following won’t make the cut:

  • iPad (9th and 10th gen)
  • iPad Air models released before the M1 chip
  • iPad mini models lacking the A17 Pro
  • Older iPad Pro models running on A12Z or A14 chips

Even relatively recent devices like the iPad Pro (2020) will miss out, reinforcing Apple’s clear line: no Apple Intelligence without silicon muscle.

Macs Without M-Series Chips? No AI For You

If your Mac is still running on Intel, it’s officially been left behind. Apple Intelligence is limited to Macs powered by the M1 chip or newer. That means:

  • Intel-based MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models are excluded
  • Older desktops like iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro must also have M1 or newer chips to support the features

Apple is making it clear that AI is now a hardware-first game, and its new silicon ecosystem is the ticket to entry.

If your current Apple device is missing from the eligibility list, you’ll still get iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS 26 — just without the bells and whistles of Apple Intelligence. For users hoping to dive into Apple’s generative AI world, it might be time to consider an upgrade.

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