Apple has released the iOS 18.4 update, bringing a range of new features to iPhone users. This update introduces additional toggles in the Control Centre, new emojis, Priority Notifications, and an app for customizing the Apple Vision Pro. It also expands the availability of Apple Intelligence. One of the most significant additions is the extension of Visual Intelligence to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple’s flagship models from 2023.
### What is Visual Intelligence?
Apple’s Visual Intelligence is a visual lookup tool powered by the Apple Intelligence suite. It allows users to quickly gather information about objects and places. Initially launched with the iPhone 16 series in September, the tool offers a variety of text-related functionalities.
“It can interact with text in several ways. Users can ask it to summarise and translate text between languages, read it aloud, and detect phone numbers or email addresses and add them to contacts.”
Beyond text recognition, Visual Intelligence can identify plants, animals, restaurants, and businesses, providing detailed insights. Apple also enables users to search for products they like, solve mathematical equations, or access additional information through ChatGPT.
In essence, Visual Intelligence functions similarly to Google Lens, allowing users to point their iPhone’s camera at an object and retrieve relevant details about it.
Which Devices Support Visual Intelligence?
Visual Intelligence is available on iPhone 16 models running iOS 18.3 or later and on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max with iOS 18.4 or later. To use the feature, Apple Intelligence must be enabled in the settings. However, Apple’s AI suite is not yet available in all regions or languages.
How to Use Visual Intelligence on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
On the iPhone 16 series, Visual Intelligence can be accessed via the new Camera Control button. Since the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max do not have this button, Apple has integrated the feature with the Action button. To activate it:
1. Open Settings and go to Action Button.
2. A visual representation of the iPhone’s side will appear, showing different functions that can be assigned to the Action button.
3. Swipe left or right until the Visual Intelligence option appears.
4. Once enabled, point the camera at an object and hold the Action button.
Users can then ask Apple Intelligence questions about the object in the camera’s viewfinder or perform a web search for more details.
With iOS 18.4, Apple is making Visual Intelligence more widely accessible, giving more iPhone users the ability to explore their surroundings in a smarter way.
