Apple’s latest AI tools are led by a familiar face: Siri. In commercials and social media, the glowing border design represents Apple Intelligence. Instead of the old Siri orb at the bottom, the entire screen now shimmers with color—at least for some users. If you’ve updated to iOS 18.3 but don’t see Siri’s new glow, here’s why.
Your iPhone May Not Support Apple Intelligence
The iOS 18.3 update is available for iPhone XS and later, but only select models support Apple Intelligence. Since AI computations happen on-device, Apple limits access to the following models:
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16E
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple Intelligence also works on Macs and iPads with M-series chips and the latest iPad Mini (A17 Pro chip).
If you have one of these devices, Siri’s new glowing interface should appear when activated. On Mac, the Siri search field displays a similar effect instead of the entire screen.
Apple Intelligence May Not Be Enabled
Apple Intelligence features first arrived with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 but required users to sign up and wait for access. Now, with iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3, Apple enables these features automatically.
However, the update won’t reactivate if you previously turned off Apple Intelligence. To check:
- Go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri.
- Ensure Apple Intelligence is toggled on.
If it was off, enabling it should bring back Siri’s new interface.
Siri’s Language Settings Matter
Apple Intelligence currently supports only English. If Siri is set to another language, the glowing border won’t appear.
To fix this:
- Go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri.
- Under Language, choose one of the following:
- English (Australia)
- English (Canada)
- English (Ireland)
- English (New Zealand)
- English (South Africa)
- English (United Kingdom)
- English (United States)
If you previously changed Siri’s language, switching it back to English won’t immediately enable the new glow. Try this:
- Turn off Apple Intelligence in settings.
- Turn it back on.
- Restart your iPhone to re-download the language model.
Why Siri’s Glow Is More Than Just a Visual Upgrade
Siri’s new glowing border is not just for looks. It is part of a broader upgrade to Apple’s AI tools. The new Siri interface is linked to Apple Intelligence, which includes features like:
- Notification Summaries – Get a quick, AI-generated summary of your alerts.
- Genmoji – Create AI-powered emoji based on text descriptions.
- Clean Up Tool in Photos – Remove unwanted objects from images using AI.
These features rely on Apple Intelligence, so if you don’t see Siri’s new glow, you may also be missing out on other AI tools.
When Will More Languages Be Supported?
Apple plans to expand language support. A note on Apple’s website states:
“Additional features and languages will be available in April, with more languages and platforms coming over the course of the year.”
By 2025, supported languages will include:
- Chinese
- English (India, Singapore)
- French
- German
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Portuguese
- Spanish
- Vietnamese
Other Reasons Why Siri’s Glow Might Not Appear
If you’ve checked everything above but still don’t see the new glow, consider these additional factors:
- Software Bugs – Restart your iPhone or check for further updates in Settings > General > Software Update.
- Beta Software Conflicts – If you’re running a beta version of iOS, some features may not work correctly.
- Account Restrictions – Some Apple ID settings, such as parental controls, might prevent access to Apple Intelligence.
Final Thoughts
Siri’s new look is more than a visual upgrade—it signals Apple’s AI evolution. If you’re not seeing it, check your iPhone model, enable Apple Intelligence, and ensure the correct language settings. Restarting your device or updating iOS can also help.
For more tips on Apple’s latest updates, learn how to back up your iPhone before installing iOS 18.3, discover eight settings to change in iOS 18.3, and explore the best new Apple Intelligence features.
