How to Use Apple Intelligence Writing Tools on iPhone, iPad and Mac in the US

Apple Intelligence Writing Tools are built into iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and they can proofread a message, rewrite an email in a friendlier tone, or turn a long article into a short summary. They work in most apps where you can select text, and they process requests on your device or through Apple's private cloud, without sending your writing to advertisers.

They only appear on supported devices with Apple Intelligence turned on, and the exact steps differ a little between iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This guide covers the setup, each tool, and the fixes for the most common problems US users run into.

Which devices support Writing Tools

Writing Tools need an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 or newer, an iPad with an M1 chip or newer, or a Mac with an M1 chip or newer. Older devices cannot run Apple Intelligence at all, even with the latest software. Your device also needs a recent version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS, and the device language needs to be set to a supported language, which includes US English.

Step 1: Turn on Apple Intelligence

On iPhone or iPad, open Settings and tap Apple Intelligence and Siri. If you see a toggle for Apple Intelligence, switch it on. The device may need to download the on-device models first, which can take several minutes over Wi-Fi. You can keep using your phone while the download finishes, and the tools will appear once it is done.

On a Mac, open System Settings, click Apple Intelligence and Siri in the sidebar, and turn Apple Intelligence on. The same model download applies. If the toggle is missing, check that your software is up to date and that your device is a supported model. A restart after turning it on often helps the tools show up.

Step 2: Use Proofread on anything you write

Proofread is the simplest tool and the one most people will use daily. Select the text you want checked, then tap Writing Tools in the menu that appears. On iPhone, you may need to tap the arrow to see the full menu, then choose Writing Tools and tap Proofread.

The tool suggests spelling and grammar fixes. Tap a suggestion to accept it, or tap the original text to keep what you wrote. Tap Done and the corrected text replaces the original. Proofread works in Notes, Mail, Messages, Safari text fields, and most apps that use the standard text menu.

Step 3: Rewrite in a different tone

Rewrite changes how your text sounds without changing what it says. Select your text, open Writing Tools, and tap Rewrite. You will see options such as Friendly, Professional, and Concise. Friendly softens a stiff message, Professional tightens an email to a colleague, and Concise cuts it down to the essentials.

You can tap Rewrite again for a different version, or tap the original to go back. Always read the rewritten version before sending, because the tool can occasionally shift a detail or drop a qualifier.

Step 4: Summarize long text in seconds

Summary tools are the most useful when you are short on time. Select a long email, article, or note, open Writing Tools, and choose Summary, Key Points, List, or Table. Summary gives you a short paragraph, Key Points gives you bullets, List turns steps into a checklist, and Table organizes comparisons into rows and columns.

In Mail on iPhone, a Summarize button sits at the top of long emails, and notification summaries can condense a pile of alerts into a line or two. You can switch notification summaries off under Settings, then Notifications, if you find them unhelpful.

Step 5: Compose text with ChatGPT

In recent versions of Apple's software, Writing Tools include a Compose option powered by ChatGPT. Select text, open Writing Tools, and tap Compose to describe what you want written, such as a thank-you note or a short social media caption. Your device will ask for permission the first time it sends a request to ChatGPT.

You do not need a ChatGPT account for basic use. Treat composed text as a first draft: read it and edit it before you use it anywhere important.

Fixing the most common problems

If Writing Tools do not appear at all, first check that Apple Intelligence is turned on and the model download has finished. Then confirm your device is supported and your software is up to date. A restart fixes a surprising number of cases where the toggle is on but the menu is missing.

If the tools appear in some apps but not others, the app may use a custom text menu that does not support them. Try the same text in Notes or Mail to confirm the tools work, and check for an app update if the missing menu bothers you.

If rewrites sound wrong or lose meaning, keep your original text short and clear before rewriting, and always review the result. For sensitive documents such as contracts or medical forms, use Proofread only, and check every change yourself.

A few habits that make the tools worth using

Use Proofread on every important email, Concise before pasting text into a message with a character limit, and Summary on long threads before replying, so your answer addresses what was actually said rather than what you remember.

The tools are free, built in, and private by design, which makes them easy to ignore and easy to love once they become a habit. Turn them on, try Proofread on your next email, and judge them on that one small job.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I not see Writing Tools on my iPhone?

Your iPhone probably does not support Apple Intelligence, or the feature is turned off. Writing Tools need an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, a recent iOS version, and Apple Intelligence switched on under Settings, then Apple Intelligence and Siri.

Do Writing Tools send my text to Apple or OpenAI?

Proofread, Rewrite, and Summary run on your device or through Apple's private cloud, which Apple says does not store your data. Compose uses ChatGPT, and your device asks for permission the first time, with no account needed for basic use.

Can I use Writing Tools in any app?

They work in most apps that use the standard Apple text menu, including Notes, Mail, Messages, and Safari. Some apps with custom text menus do not show them, so try Notes or Mail if a tool seems missing.