For weeks now, Apple's brand-new AI-driven features have been available in beta builds, but no one is forcing everyone to install volatile beta builds on the iPhone.

Well, here is the good news for iPhone 16 and 15 Pro users—the ability to try out Apple's new features without flashing an iOS beta. Download the iOS 18.1 RC and test Apple Intelligence and other exciting tools a week before they land when fully released to the public.

iOS 18.1: Stable and Stuffed with New Features

iOS 18.1 Drops Next Week —Apple Intelligence

Officially, iOS 18.1 will come out soon with some pretty interesting changes like Apple Intelligence, hearing tests via AirPods Pro 2, the functionality for recording voice calls, automatic transcription when making transcriptions, bug fixes, and much more, as per Android Authority.

For people willing to try this, Apple has a public beta access program and a developer one. After signing up with one of these, iOS 18.1 RC should show as an available update within your Software Update settings. After that, you'll be able to directly join the Apple Intelligence waitlist and start testing with its top-notch tools.

Unlike beta versions of old, the Release Candidate is intended to be the final release of the software all users will see. Unless Apple has pressing issues they only found with the RC it's in, you likely won't need another update next week.

You have to sign up for the beta program to download and install iOS 18.1 RC, but this isn't a real beta, and it's quite safe for you to install it on your daily drive iPhone.

How to Download the iOS 18.1 RC

iOS 18.1 does not have to elapse before you get to try it. This is how to install the release candidate

1. Go to Apple's beta website and join their public or developer beta.
2. On your iPhone, go to Software Update settings.
3. You will then see the Beta Updates toggle.
4. Next, iOS 18.1 RC will be registered as an update that you can download and install.
5. Once you have set it up, it is recommended that you disable beta updates so that your device does not receive the next pre-release builds. That will keep your device on stable software versions without locking you out of the RC. That will also mean you already joined the waitlist, as per 9to5Mac.

What Apple Intelligence Delivers Nowadays

iOS 18.1 won't feature all of Apple's highly touted AI capabilities, but there are still several powerful tools available. These include:

• Writing Tools: This provides advanced text manipulation for faster editing and formatting.
• Notification Summaries: Group and summarize all your notifications so you can manage them easily.
• Smart Replies: it's the integration of AI in Apple messages and mail for intelligent quick replies.
• Clean Up in Photos: it makes intelligent suggestions about photo management and eliminates photoduplication.
• Minimize Distractions Focus Mode: A new focus mode to minimize useless notifications to let the users get productive and far-reaching.

More AI Features Coming with iOS 18.2

While iOS 18.1 is packed full of improvements, Apple has held back the best for iOS 18.2, when Genmoji, an AI-based emoji designer, will arrive, along with the integration of ChatGPT in apps set to make communications even smarter through a more improved set of tools and Image Playground, promising exciting dynamic image editing and design capabilities.

A Sneak Peek into New iOS

The Apple iOS 18.1 RC lets users become some of the first worldwide to experiment with such cutting-edge technologies like Apple Intelligence, without the risks attached to regular beta software.

Get your RC installed, avail yourself of the power of AI-driven utilities, increase productivity, and enjoy a full release before others.