Apple Intelligence Cleared for China as Alibaba and Baidu AI Power iPhone Features

Apple has moved a step closer to launching Apple Intelligence in China after the country’s cyberspace regulator officially registered the company’s on-device generative AI service for use on iPhones. The approval marks a major milestone for Apple, as Chinese regulations require all large language models and generative AI services to receive regulatory clearance before they can be offered to the public.

The registration clears an important regulatory hurdle, although authorities have not announced an official launch date for Apple Intelligence in China. The rollout has been highly anticipated by Chinese consumers, who have been waiting for Apple’s AI-powered features since the technology was introduced in other markets.

According to a source familiar with the matter, Apple Intelligence in China will integrate artificial intelligence capabilities from both Alibaba and Baidu. Alibaba confirmed that its Qwen large language model will be embedded into Apple Intelligence across Apple's ecosystem, including iPhone (iOS), iPad (iPadOS), Mac (macOS), and Vision Pro (visionOS) devices sold in China.

Meanwhile, Baidu said it is collaborating with Apple to develop AI features specifically for Chinese iPhone users, highlighting Apple's strategy of partnering with leading domestic AI companies to comply with local regulations and improve the user experience.

Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the approval or its launch timeline.

The regulatory clearance comes at a favorable time for Apple, which has recently shown signs of recovering momentum in China. The company reported a 24.4% year-over-year increase in iPhone shipments in the second quarter, suggesting stronger demand in one of its most important international markets. The addition of Apple Intelligence could further strengthen Apple's competitive position as AI features become an increasingly important factor in smartphone purchasing decisions.

In a separate announcement, China's cyberspace regulator also approved ZTE's Nubia-Doubao smartphone model. The AI-focused device is produced through a partnership between telecom equipment maker ZTE and ByteDance, the developer of the Doubao AI platform, reflecting the continued expansion of China's artificial intelligence ecosystem across consumer devices.