With the launch of iOS 16, Apple completely transformed its AI capabilities on devices by introducing fater Visual Intelligence feature designed only for iPhone 16 models. A walk-through of the brand new Visual Intelligence step-by-step to perform various functions such as: recognizing objects, taking and making conversation with extracted text, querying ChatGPT, scheduling events, shopping online, and reverse searching—all, however, without switching apps or screens.
✅ What is Visual Intelligence in iPhone 16?
Visual Intelligence is a real-time high-performance visual interpretative vehicle in the iPhone 16 series, now driven by the combined efforts of Apple Intelligence and the A17 Pro Neural Engine. In short, this represents on-device machine learning that is able to comprehend, execute, and ask queries in visual format input (camera, screen, video) which also contains screenshots and live videos.
Principal Functions:
- Recognition of objects
- Extraction of text and translation
- Interpreting of business intelligence
- Integration of ChatGPT querying
- Reverse of images using Google
- Visuals allowing event scheduling
Presently, Visual Intelligence is only available for:
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
Besides, there is also limited access to Action Button on the following devices:
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16e
Minimum OS Requirement: iOS 18.2+
🎯 How to Turn on Visual Intelligence on iPhone 16
Via Camera Control button
- Open Camera.
- Press and hold the Camera Control button to turn on Visual Intelligence.
- Hit the Capture icon and the device will detect the object.
- Pick the option from the list that corresponds to the visual input.
Via Action Button (Only iPhone 15 Pro/16e)
- Go to Settings > Action Button.
- Scroll through the list of actions and select “Visual Intelligence.”
- Press and hold the Action Button to run Visual Intelligence.
🧠 Translate, Identify, and Act on Text in Real-Time
Visual Intelligence adds a new dimension to the Live Text feature by providing contextual actions.
Steps:
- Direct the camera at a text, whether it is printed or digital.
- Press and hold the Camera Control.
- Press the capture button.
- The list of available commands includes:
- Translate
- Summarize
- Read Aloud
- Visit Link
- Call Number
- Copy Text
Example Use Case: One could translate Japanese signage instantly or summarize a book blurb without using any third-party applications.
🌐 Instantly Gather Business Information
Visual Intelligence extends the capabilities of the human eye by enabling the recognition of storefronts and public places without time-consuming and exhausting manual labor.
How:
- Direct your camera towards the front of a business establishment.
- Press and hold the Camera Control.
- Press the capture button.
- Receive contextual insights:
- Business hours
- Menu or services
- Contact options
- Website access
- Directions
The feature is only available in the United States at the moment.
🤖 Ask ChatGPT About Anything You See
Due to the integration of the native ChatGPT feature from iOS 18+, users are enabled to ask more detailed and deep questions about given
Example:
Take a photo of a tree – then ask ChatGPT, “What are the typical habitats of this tree species?”
🖼️ Reverse Search with Google Image Integration
Locate corresponding pictures, find similar products, or get additional information.
Steps:
- Start Visual Intelligence through Camera.
- Click on the Search icon at the bottom-right.
- Perform a Google Visual Search automatically with the object in sight.
🗓️ Create Calendar Events from Posters or Flyers
Beginning with the iOS 18.3 version, scheduling of events directly from physical or digital posters is enabled.
How:
- Direct your camera towards the flyer.
- Visual Intelligence picks up the dates and thus Create Event is activated.
- Hit Schedule to give the final confirmation.
Perfect For:
- Concert posters
- Seminar flyers
- Event banners
🌿 Identify Plants and Animals Instantly
Recognize and classify organisms of the plant and animal kingdom with great rapidity.
Steps:
- Launch Camera > Visual Intelligence.
- Center on the object.
- The iPhone will show the label at the top.
- For extended info in the style of Wikipedia, press on the name.
If the system is not sure with the identification, it signals the uncertainty by putting “May Be” in front of the result.
📷 Analyze Screenshots with Visual Intelligence (iOS 26+)
In the new iOS 26, you can now use gestures to query your screenshots.
How:
- Capture a screenshot (Side Button + Volume Up).
- Draw a circle around the area in the screenshot that you want to know more about.
- Options include: Ask ChatGPTImage SearchHighlight & Explain
- Ask ChatGPT
- Image Search
- Highlight & Explain
This feature is perfect for:
- Quickly going through product specs
- Double-checking images from messenger applications
- Getting the main points from a talk or presentation
🔧 Set Up Visual Intelligence for Quick Access via the Action Button
In case your iPhone doesn’t have Camera Control, but it still supports Apple Intelligence:
- Go to Settings > Action Button.
- Choose Visual Intelligence by swiping left/right.
- If you want to use it, press and hold the Action Button.
💡 Visual Intelligence: Tips for Boosting Efficiency
- Update to the latest iOS version, 18.2 or above.
- Activate Live Text, Visual Lookup, and ChatGPT in Settings.
- Keep the place well-lit to help the device identify objects well.
- Wipe the camera lens to avoid errors in recognition.
- At the time of requests for permissions, consent if it relates to what you want.
🔚 Final Thoughts
Visual Intelligence with iPhone 16 is not a mere camera improvement—it is a vibrant and resourceful assistant that links the two worlds i.e. the physical and the digital. The combination of object recognition and translations, and smart querying with ChatGPT gives instant, highly accurate, and smooth operation in one single application.
For instance, it can be your tool to:
- Understand your surroundings in a deeper way
- Help you grasp the meaning of a foreign language
- Get instant answers from AI
- Make your life simpler through using the camera as an input device