Apple has received regulatory approval in China to launch its artificial intelligence service, a key step that clears the way for the company to roll out the technology in the world’s largest smartphone market. The approval was announced Wednesday by China’s top cyberspace regulator, confirming that Apple has officially registered its Apple Intelligence service.

In China, companies must secure government authorization before releasing most generative AI offerings to the public. Apple initially submitted features of its AI system for regulatory review in early 2025 after a collaboration lasting nearly a year with prominent Chinese technology firms Alibaba and Baidu. The partnership allowed Apple to integrate local expertise and comply with China’s strict technological and content regulations.

The absence of Apple Intelligence on iPhones in China posed a challenge as the company faces strong competition from domestic smartphone makers such as Huawei, Xiaomi, and Oppo. These firms have rapidly introduced AI capabilities on their devices, intensifying market pressure. Despite this, Apple’s iPhone shipments in China grew by 24% in the second quarter compared to the same period last year, according to data from research firm IDC. This surge consolidated Apple’s position as the country’s second-largest smartphone seller, trailing only behind Huawei. Meanwhile, shipments from domestic brands declined as they raised prices to counter rising costs for components like memory chips. Apple also increased the price of many of its products globally in late June.

Alibaba’s AI model, Qwen, will be integrated into Apple Intelligence and made available to users on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro devices in China, according to a statement from an Alibaba spokesperson. Baidu confirmed that Apple would also incorporate its AI technologies into the service.

China has tightened cybersecurity regulations in recent years, requiring that all user data be stored and processed on local servers rather than transferred outside the country. The government also mandates rigorous testing of generative AI models to curb the spread of inappropriate content. As a result, many foreign AI platforms, including those developed by OpenAI and Google, are not officially available in China. Apple’s approach of partnering with local companies enabled it to navigate these regulatory hurdles and meet the standards set by Chinese authorities for AI services.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the approval.