Apple has received approval to launch AI on the iPhone in China with support from Alibaba and Baidu

On July 15, Apple received long-awaited approval from the Chinese government to launch its Apple Intelligence AI features. This could strengthen the company’s position in the world’s most competitive smartphone market, according to Bloomberg. To integrate its AI services, Apple had to use Alibaba’s Qwen model.

Chinese authorities have added Apple to the list of approved generative AI providers, alongside products from local companies such as Huawei Technologies and Xiaomi, according to Bloomberg.

The iPhone maker introduced its AI features two years ago, adding tools for writing text, generating images, creating summary notifications, and personalized emojis. However, the company was unable to launch these features in China due to a lengthy approval process with regulators.

In addition, the company had to collaborate with third-party partners, the agency notes. The version of Apple Intelligence for the Chinese market was modified: it incorporates Alibaba Group technologies, which act as a kind of filter and are used to coordinate updates to large language models with local authorities.

However, while Apple Intelligence in the U.S. uses Google and OpenAI services for search, the Chinese version works with Baidu. In addition, Apple unveiled an updated version of its voice assistant, Siri AI, but stated that its rollout in China would require additional approval.

Both Alibaba and Baidu confirmed on Wednesday that they would participate in the launch of the U.S. company's AI features in China, Bloomberg reported. Apple did not specify when they would become available in that market.

Apple shares rose nearly 4% during trading on July 15. Alibaba's American Depositary Receipts jumped 5.7%, while Baidu shares gained about 2.3% in New York.

Launching Apple Intelligence in China will allow the company to reach an audience in this massive market that is actively interested in new technologies. The launch will likely provide an additional boost to the company’s recovery in the country and may help it close the gap with the local leader, Huawei.

For the quarter that ended on December 27, 2025, Apple reported a sharp increase in revenue in China—the figure jumped 38%, exceeding Wall Street’s expectations. However, the company faces stiff competition in the race for leadership in the AI sector, as Chinese smartphone manufacturers began incorporating such features into their devices much earlier.

This article was AI-translated and verified by a human editor