User level: Level 1 (36 points)I have an IPhone 16 pro the reseller in Mauritius had phones from CH/A
I think that geo fencing should be off for non Chinese citizens that live elsewhere to be able to have the AI capabilities as we have paid pretty much the same price for the device and services
Posted on Oct 5, 2026 10:06 AM
User level: Level 7 (26,777 points)Oct 5, 2026 5:02 PM in response to tatanmu
Apple disables features based on the device model number. A device intended for the Chinese market will not have functionality such as Apple Intelligence, regardless of your present location or Apple Account region.
There is a ray of sunshine, though. Apple received approval from the Chinese regulators for AI features: https://www.reuters.com/technology/apple-intelligence-ai-service-registered-with-chinas-cyberspace-regulator-2026-07-15/. I don't know when Apple will actually release AI features, though. This will probably be in a future release of iOS.
User level: Level 10 (238,530 points)Oct 6, 2026 12:46 PM in response to tatanmu
tatanmu wrote:
mainland China phones are sold outside of China.
No. they are not. Not by Apple and not by any authorized Apple retailer.
You chose to purchase a gray market device from an unauthorized seller.
That's on you, not Apple.
User level: Level 10 (187,102 points)Oct 6, 2026 4:33 AM in response to tatanmu
these forums are user helping other users like yourself, it's sort of going to a physical apple store and asking other customers their advice
This is a user helping users with tech questions forum, we are not apple and apple do not read your posts here
the opinions of the rest of us has little bearing on anything.
You can provide them with feedback using Product Feedback - Apple
User level: Level 10 (238,530 points)Oct 5, 2026 6:09 PM in response to tatanmu
Nope. The Chinese Communist Government said no.
Apple doesn't have a choice in the matter.
The solution to your problem is buy a phone in your own country instead of in China.
User level: Level 10 (169,253 points)Oct 6, 2026 6:30 AM in response to tatanmu
tatanmu wrote:
I know this but it should not have been the case, as we as consumers we may not know this.
You bought a used imported grey-market phone from a not-authorized seller, probably also with two SIM slots and no eSIM support, and without knowing exactly what you were buying.
That sort of used-device purchase hasn’t ended well for too many buyers.
In a manner of consideration, you actually did well here, not buying a brick.
User level: Level 10 (169,253 points)Oct 5, 2026 5:12 PM in response to tatanmu
User level: Level 1 (36 points)Oct 5, 2026 7:00 PM in response to MrHoffman
I know this but it should not have been the case, as we as consumers we may not know this. I guess the geo fencing should have been on the region and know from your connection etc. I know people can use VPN but I guess we should not be victims to the fact that the mainland China phones are sold outside of China. Genuinely hope that they do a move, or at least upgrade the normal Siri which is still so limited, and I do not understand that we do not have the photo intelligence tools too. Just hope that Apple may consider their customers better.
User level: Level 1 (36 points)Oct 5, 2026 8:21 PM in response to 6x6
Yes but they will be using Chinese AI capabilities so it is more into their context which makes sense however for us that are outside of China, all models are build in China so should be able to enjoy the AI capable chip I have in my iPhone 16 pro which is still better than the new design :D
Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256370874