Apple has secured regulatory approval from China's Cyberspace Administration to deploy its Apple Intelligence features on Chinese iPhones.
The approval ends a lengthy regulatory process. Apple had been collaborating with Alibaba to develop localized AI capabilities that meet China's strict compliance requirements.
The process faced a setback in March 2026 when features were accidentally rolled out to Chinese users before formal approval, prompting heightened regulatory scrutiny.
China's market is critical for Apple. Domestic competitors like Huawei and Xiaomi have already integrated AI features into their devices, benefiting from regulatory frameworks that often favor local firms.