How to Use Visual Intelligence on iPhone (2026 Guide)

Visual Intelligence is one of those iPhone features that sounds technical but is really just your camera answering questions. If you've ever squinted at a poster, a menu or a product label and wished your phone would simply tell you what to do with it, this is Apple's answer.

Here's how it works, where you'll find it, what it can do for a busy small-business owner or freelancer, and what Apple says about availability and privacy. I've kept to what Apple's own pages state, so where a detail varies by model or software, I'll say so.

What Visual Intelligence does on your iPhone

Apple describes Visual Intelligence as a way to search, ask questions and take action based on what's around you with just a tap, using Siri mode in the Camera. In plain words, you point your camera at something, and your iPhone helps you understand it or act on it.

It sits inside Apple Intelligence, the set of AI features built into Apple's devices, so it isn't a separate app to download.

How to open Visual Intelligence

Apple places Visual Intelligence in Siri mode in Camera. So the route is the one you'd expect:

1. Open the Camera on your iPhone.
2. Look for Siri mode and switch to it.
3. Point the camera at what you want to know about.
4. Ask Siri a question about it, or choose one of the suggested actions that appear.
5. Check the result before you rely on it.

Apple's iPhone User Guide is the place to confirm the exact gestures and buttons for your model, because menus vary by iPhone model and software version. I'd rather point you there than guess a shortcut that doesn't match your phone.

What you can do with the camera

Apple's page highlights a few smart actions that show how practical this gets:

Visual Intelligence action	What it helps you do
Split a bill	Work out each person's share from a receipt you point at
Nutrition information	Get details about a dish you're looking at
Import a card to Apple Wallet	Add a card to your Wallet from the camera view
Search and ask questions	Learn about places, objects and text in front of you

Apple adds that Siri mode in Camera lets you search and ask questions about what's around you, so the list above is a sample rather than everything it can do.

Using Visual Intelligence on your screen

It isn't only about the camera. Apple says you can get information, take action and search visually using the content on your screen, on iPhone, iPad and Mac.

On a Mac, Apple says you take a screenshot to search and act on an image or PDF. On an iPad, you can tap an item or circle it with Apple Pencil. That's handy when a friend sends you a photo of a product and you want to know what it is.

Which devices and languages work

Apple says Visual Intelligence works on compatible iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Vision Pro models, with the device language set to a supported English variant. It also notes that usage limits may apply.

Because Apple controls the list of compatible models and it changes with each software release, check Apple's Apple Intelligence page for yours before assuming you have it.

What Apple says about Visual Intelligence and privacy

Apple's page says Apple Intelligence is aware of your personal information without collecting it, and that with Private Cloud Compute your data is never stored. Apple's Visual Intelligence section doesn't carry its own privacy statement, so that wording is about Apple Intelligence generally.

If you point your camera at anything with client details on it, such as a signed form, a contract or a screen full of customer names, I'd read Apple's privacy pages first and decide whether you're comfortable with it.

Everyday business uses for Visual Intelligence

• Photograph a trade-show poster or flyer and pull out the dates and details you need.
• Point at a supplier's product label or packaging to find out more about it before you order.
• Split a team lunch receipt without opening a calculator.
• Look up a plant, a piece of equipment or a landmark while you're out visiting clients.
• Screenshot a competitor's ad and ask your phone what it's promoting.

This kind of tool earns its place on small, fiddly jobs, and it works best alongside a couple of well-chosen assistants for the bigger tasks. My roundup of the best AI tools for small business owners covers those, and if you'd like help fitting the right ones into your week, that's what I do as an AI consultant.

When Visual Intelligence gets it wrong

It's an AI, so it can misread a blurry photo, mistake one product for a similar one or miss small print. Treat answers as a quick first look. For anything that matters, such as an allergy, a legal term or a number on a contract, check the original source yourself.

• Take the photo in good light with the subject filling the frame.
• Ask a specific question, rather than a vague one.
• Double-check names, dates and amounts before you act on them.
• If the option isn't there, check your iPhone model, language and software version.

Frequently asked questions

What is Visual Intelligence on iPhone?

Apple describes it as a way to search, ask questions and take action based on what's around you, using Siri mode in the Camera.

Where do I find Visual Intelligence?

Apple places it in Siri mode in Camera. Menus and shortcuts vary by iPhone model and software version, so check Apple's iPhone User Guide for your phone.

Does Visual Intelligence work on screenshots?

Yes. Apple says you can search and take action using the content on your screen on iPhone, iPad and Mac.

Which languages does Visual Intelligence support?

Apple says the device language needs to be set to a supported English variant.

Is there a limit on how much I can use it?

Apple says usage limits may apply to Visual Intelligence.