How to Proofread Text Like a Pro Using Apple Intelligence: A Senior’s Guide to Typo-Free Writing

Let’s start with a scenario: you just sent an emailEmail, or electronic mail, is a digital communication tool that allows users to send and receive mes... More to your grandchild about their birthday party. But instead of saying, “I’ll bring cake and balloons,” you realize it says, “I’ll bring snakes and baboons.”

Whoops!

Now, either your grandchild is going to be horrified you’ll show up with snakes and baboons… or they’ll be horribly disappointed when you don’t! It’s a no-win situation 😉

Enter Apple Intelligence, your new best friend for keeping embarrassing typos at bay and making sure your emails, notes, and messages say what you actually mean.

With Apple Intelligence’s Writing Tools, proofreading becomes as easy as pie (and no, it won’t change that to “sleazy as rye”).

This clever tool not only catches errors but can rewrite, summarize, or even compose text for you. Think of it as spell-check’s much smarter cousin who went to grad school.

Ready to make typos a thing of the past? Let’s dive in.

Why Apple Intelligence Is Genuinely Useful (and Not Just for Tech-Savvy Folks)

Apple Intelligence is your personal editor. One who never gets tired, never judges, and doesn’t mind reading the same sentence over and over.

Whether you’re sending a heartfelt message to family or drafting a note about your bridge club’s meeting, this tool ensures your writing is polished and professional.

Apple Intelligence works everywhere you type: emails, text messages, notes, and even on websites.

It’s like having a tech-savvy assistant who knows your style and helps you shine. And don’t worry—this assistant won’t leak your secrets. All your editing happens directly on your device, keeping your privacy intact.

Getting Started: Setting Up Apple Intelligence

Before you can start proofreading like a pro, you need to set up Apple Intelligence. Here’s how:

(Note: Tech companies love rearranging things. If the instructions below aren’t exact, the tech fairies have probably moved things around. Try searching for the setting on your device. If that doesn’t work, ask a trusted friend or family member for help, or do a quick web search for instructions using your device model and software version.)

1. Check Your Device Compatibility: Apple Intelligence works on iPhones 15 Pro or newer running iOSiOS is a mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc. exclusively for its iPhone, iPad, and iPod ... More 18.1. Got a MacA Mac, short for Macintosh, is a line of personal computers developed by Apple Inc. Renowned for the... More? Make sure it’s rocking an M1 chip or later with macOS Sequoia 16.1 or above. (Translation: if your device is older than your grandchild, it might be time for an upgrade.)
2. Update Your Software: Go to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone or iPad. On a Mac, head to System Settings > General > Software Update. Follow the prompts, and soon you’ll be ready to roll.
3. Enable Apple Intelligence: Once your software is updated, go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri and join the waitlist. After a few moments, you’ll get the green light to turn it on. Now, you’re all set!

How to Use Apple Intelligence’s Writing Tools

Proofread Like a Pro

1. Highlight Your Text: Tap and hold the text you want to proofread. A menu will pop up; select Writing Tools and tap Proofread.
2. Let Apple Intelligence Work Its Magic: It scans your text for spelling and grammar mistakes, underlining suggested changes with a glowing line (fancy, right?).
3. Review Suggestions:
   • Accept a Change: Tap the down arrow to approve.
   • Keep the Original: Tap Use Original if you like your version better.
   • Compare Versions: Tap Original to toggle between the updated and original text.
   • Undo Changes: Tap Revert to go back to square one.
4. Finalize: When you’re happy with the results, tap Done. Your polished text is ready to send!

Rewrite Text for the Perfect Tone

1. Highlight and Select Writing Tools: Just like before, highlight your text and choose Rewrite from the Writing Tools menu.
2. Pick a Tone:
   • Friendly: For casual, chatty messages.
   • Professional: Perfect for serious emails or club announcements.
   • Concise: Keeps it short and sweet.
3. Experiment: Don’t like the first rewrite? Tap Rewrite again to see another version. When you’re satisfied, tap Done to save it.

Summarize and Organize Text

1. Highlight and Tap Writing Tools: Choose Summarize to get a quick overview of your text.
2. Customize Your Summary:
   • Key Points: Display the main ideas as bullet points.
   • List or Table: Rearrange the original text into a list or table format for easy reading.
3. Save or Share: Copy the summary, replace the original text, or share it directly from the menu.

Compose from Scratch (Optional with ChatGPT)

If you’ve enabled the ChatGPTChatGPT is an advanced language model developed by OpenAI, designed to understand and generate human... More extension (available in iOS 18.2 or later), you can ask Apple Intelligence to write something for you.

Simply describe what you need (e.g., “Write a birthday invitation”), and it’ll whip up a draft in seconds. You can tweak it or start over until it’s just right.

Tips for Making the Most of Apple Intelligence

Ready to get started?! Before you do, we’ve got a few more tips for you. They’ll help you get the most out of your new favorite writing assistant.

1. Keep It Short and Sweet

When giving Apple Intelligence instructions, less is more.

“Make this more cheerful” will get you a bubbly rewrite faster than a long-winded essay explaining the exact degree of cheerfulness you’re after.

Think of it like training a dog—clear commands work best.

2. Double-Check Those Big Messages

Sending an important email? Proofread it twice.

Apple Intelligence is smart, but even smart tools have their off days (like humans but with fewer coffee breaks). Make sure everything reads exactly the way you want it to.

3. Play Around with Tones

Tone matters!

Need a polished email for your financial advisor? Choose Professional.

Sending your grandkids a quick “Dinner’s ready!” message? Go Concise.

And for family updates that strike the perfect balance of warm and chatty, Friendly is your go-to.

Tip: experiment with tones—sometimes “Concise” can make you sound hilariously direct in the best way.

4. Use the Summarize Feature (No Guilt Allowed)

Your child’s text about their “exciting new initiative at work” just hit five paragraphs?

Summarize it. Apple Intelligence can shrink that novella down to a digestible snippet. And don’t worry—we won’t snitch that you skimmed the full version.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Push Back

Apple Intelligence suggestions are great, but you’re still the boss. Don’t auto-accept changes without looking them over, especially in casual chats.

Sometimes your original wording—quirks and all—works best. Your friends want you, not a robot-approved version of you.

6. Stay Updated

Like a good cup of coffee, Apple Intelligence only gets better over time—provided you keep your software updated.

New features, better accuracy, and smarter proofreading are just a download"Download" is a term used to describe the process of copying files from the internet or another remo... More away.

Whether you’re crafting emails, summarizing updates, or just making sure your texts don’t accidentally sound like ransom notes, these tips will keep you in control while Apple Intelligence works its magic.

Error-Free Messages

Apple Intelligence makes writing less stressful and more fun.  But remember, this tool is here to help, not to replace your own good judgment.

With a little practice, you’ll be writing clearer, error-free messages that would make your old English teacher proud.

And the best part? Unlike that English teacher, this assistant is perfectly happy to check your writing at 3 AM when you’re drafting that strongly worded email to the homeowners’ association about the neighbor’s purple fence.