Apple’s highly anticipated Apple Intelligence rollout is facing fresh turbulence, with some iPhone 17 users reporting that the AI features are simply not working.

Early adopters say the software appears to be installed on their devices but refuses to launch, leaving them stuck in a loop where the phone repeatedly asks to download Apple Intelligence without ever completing the process.

What users are reporting

According to reports, the glitch isn’t limited to one version of the iPhone 17. It has surfaced across the base model iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and the new iPhone Air.

Affected users say:

Apple Intelligence shows up in storage but fails to activate.
The phone repeatedly prompts users to re-download the AI package.
Downloads appear to stall indefinitely.

One customer noted that Apple support suggested waiting for a software update to fix the issue, hinting that the company may already be aware of the bug.

Not an isolated problem

While the Apple Intelligence glitch does not appear widespread, it adds to a growing list of complaints around the new iPhone lineup.

Cellular issues: Many users report unstable connections on the iPhone 17 series, with dropped signals being “extremely common.”
Durability concerns: The iPhone 17 Pro’s aluminum chassis has been criticized for being more susceptible to scrapes and bends compared to last year’s titanium build.

Apple has publicly downplayed these concerns, but the mounting issues suggest that early adopters may be facing more growing pains than expected.

Bigger questions on Apple’s rollout

Apple Intelligence was billed as a cornerstone of Apple’s AI strategy when first teased in 2024. However, delays in feature rollouts and now early bugs on flagship devices have left some questioning whether Apple is struggling to deliver on its promises.

Though only a small group of users appear affected by the Apple Intelligence glitch, analysts note it highlights a worrying trend: declining quality control in Apple’s software upgrades.