Apple Intelligence launches in China this December using Alibaba's Qwen model

A localized AI rollout

Apple officially announced that its AI suite, Apple Intelligence, will arrive in mainland China this December. The first batch of features is scheduled to launch alongside the iOS 27.3 software update. This rollout comes nearly two years after the initial launch of the service in the United States in October 2024.

To prepare for this release, developers are being given access to test the new features starting on November 4. The launch is a strategic move to capture a larger portion of the Chinese smartphone market. Apple currently holds a 19.5% share of shipments in the region, trailing behind domestic rival Huawei.

The availability of these tools is restricted to specific hardware and settings. Users must own a supported iPhone purchased in China, or they must have both their device location and Apple Account region set to China. This ensures the service remains compliant with local requirements.

The Alibaba partnership

A key component of this launch is Apple's collaboration with Alibaba to provide the Qwen model. Apple stated that it worked with the Chinese company so that users can access Qwen directly within the system. This model will power core functions including Writing Tools, Visual Intelligence, and the Siri interface.

The Qwen model will be responsible for understanding text and images as well as generating original content from scratch. For example, users can ask questions about their personal photos and documents, and the system will use Qwen to process those requests. Users can sign in to these features using either a Qwen account or through their existing Apple credentials.

This partnership follows a period of regulatory hurdles and competition. Reports indicate that Apple considered other major Chinese firms like Tencent and ByteDance before selecting Alibaba. The deal was eventually confirmed by Alibaba chairman Joe Tsai during a summit in Dubai in February 2025.

What features are missing

While the Chinese launch includes several useful tools, it is notably different from the version released in the West. The December update does not include Siri AI or the next-generation features that Apple showcased at its WWDC 2026 event. This means some of the most advanced capabilities shown by the company will be unavailable to Chinese consumers.

The features that will be included focus on practical daily tasks. These include live translation for the Phone, Messages, and FaceTime apps, as well as Writing Tools for proofreading and summarizing text. Visual Intelligence through the camera and a Clean Up tool for removing objects from photos are also part of the initial wave.

Additionally, the update will provide summaries for Mail and notifications. It will also include priority messages and call transcript summaries. However, some reports suggest that tools like Image Playground will be completely left out of the Chinese release. This creates a tiered experience where the AI's scope is limited by regional approvals.

Navigating Chinese regulations

The delay in launching Apple Intelligence in China was largely due to the country's strict rules for generative AI. Foreign companies are required to work with domestic partners to offer AI services to the public. Furthermore, any generative AI service must undergo a formal approval process run by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC).

The approval process for Apple's service was complex and faced some delays. The Financial Times reported that joint applications between Apple and Alibaba stalled for a time due to US-China trade tensions. Final sign-off for these services ultimately rests with China's State Council, which oversees the nation's highest government functions.

The CAC eventually completed its filings for several on-device generative AI services in July 2025. These filings included Apple Intelligence as well as services from Samsung and Huawei. To ensure privacy, Alibaba stated that user requests and the responses generated by Qwen will not be used to train its underlying models.

Market stakes and future

This launch is critical for Apple as it seeks to maintain its standing in China, which remains its second-largest market. Domestic competitors like Huawei and Xiaomi have already deployed their own AI features to capture the local audience. Apple's goal is to provide a seamless experience that feels native to the Chinese ecosystem while adhering to local laws.

For Alibaba, the deal is a major win that places the Qwen model inside one of the world's largest smartphone ecosystems. Alibaba's chief executive, Eddie Wu, noted that Qwen will integrate deeply into Apple's environment to provide new experiences for users. This move helps Alibaba expand its reach into the daily lives of millions of iPhone users.

Looking ahead, Apple has indicated that support for other platforms may follow once it receives the necessary permissions. However, the company has not yet named which specific platforms will be next. For now, the focus remains on the successful integration of Qwen into the iOS 27.3 update this December.