Troubleshooting Apple Intelligence Errors: Writing Tools and Summarization Unavailable

Using Apple Intelligence was supposed to make my life easier, but instead, I’ve hit a frustrating problem. Every time I try to access features like Summary, Key Points, List, or Table, I’m met with this message:

Writing Tools Unavailable
Certain capabilities are unavailable at this time. Try again later.

To make matters worse, you may encounter a similar error when trying to summarize content:

Summarization Unavailable
Something went wrong while trying to summarize this page. Try again later.

What’s even more frustrating is that this isn’t limited to my Mac—it’s happening on my iPhone too. Whether I’m in Notes, TextEdit, Safari, or Mail, these errors keep appearing, making these tools practically unusable.

I’ve tried everything I can think of: restarting my Mac and iPhone multiple times, toggling Apple Intelligence off and back on, and even checking for updates. Yet, the problem persists.

If you’ve experienced these errors too, don’t worry. Below are steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix these issues.

Important: Apple Intelligence is currently in its beta phase, which means it’s still being tested and refined. As a result, you may encounter occasional glitches, limited functionality, or unexpected errors, like this one, as Apple continues to improve the feature.

Fix 1: Turn Off VPN

If you’re using a VPN, it could be interfering with Apple Intelligence’s ability to function properly. VPNs can sometimes block certain services or disrupt connections, which might be causing the Writing Tools Unavailable or Summarization Unavailable errors.

Here’s how you can turn off your VPN:

On Mac:

1. Open System Settings and go to Network.
2. Select your VPN connection from the list on the left.
3. Click Disconnect or toggle the VPN off.

On iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to General > VPN & Device Management.
3. Select your VPN and toggle it off.

After disabling the VPN, try using Apple Intelligence again. If the issue is resolved, the VPN was likely the culprit. You can re-enable it later if needed, but keep this in mind if the problem returns.

If you’re curious about VPNs, we’ve previously covered whether using a VPN on your device is the right choice for you.

Fix 2: Reinstall Apple Intelligence with a Stable Network

Sometimes, the issue might be due to incomplete or blocked downloads of Apple Intelligence components. To resolve this, you can disable Apple Intelligence completely, connect to a stable network, and re-enable it. Here’s how to do it step by step:

1. Disable Apple Intelligence:
   • On your Mac or iPhone, go to Settings (or System Settings on Mac).
   • Navigate to Privacy & Security > Apple Intelligence, and toggle it off.
2. Connect to a Different Network:
   • Switch to a mobile hotspot, a different Wi-Fi network, or use a VPN to ensure there are no restrictions blocking the download.
   • If you suspect the previous network may have blocked the download, avoid using it for now.
3. Re-enable Apple Intelligence:
   • Go back to Privacy & Security > Apple Intelligence, and toggle it back on.
   • You should see a message such as “Apple Intelligence Downloading.”
4. Wait for the Download to Complete:
   • Stay connected to the current network until the download finishes. Once done, test Apple Intelligence to ensure it’s working properly.
5. Reconnect to Your Original Network (Optional):
   • After confirming everything is working, you can switch back to your previous network if desired.

By following these steps, you can ensure Apple Intelligence is fully downloaded and operational without interference from network issues.

See also: How to Turn On Apple Intelligence on Your iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Fix 3: Check for Software Updates

Outdated software can sometimes cause compatibility issues, preventing Apple Intelligence from functioning correctly. Ensuring your Mac or iPhone is running the latest version of macOS or iOS can resolve these errors.

Here’s how to check for updates:

On Mac:

1. Open System Settings and go to General > Software Update.
2. If an update is available, click Update Now or Upgrade Now.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

On iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to General > Software Update.
3. If an update is available, tap Download and Install.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to install the update.

Once the update is complete, restart your device and check if Apple Intelligence is working properly. Updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements that can resolve issues like these.

Fix 4: Clear Cache and Temporary Files

Corrupted cache or temporary files can sometimes cause Apple Intelligence to malfunction. Clearing these files can help resolve the issue.

On Mac:

1. Open Finder and click Go in the menu bar.
2. Select Go to Folder and type ~/Library/Caches. (See also: How to Find and Unhide the Library Folder on Mac)
3. Locate and delete any cache files related to Apple Intelligence or the apps where you encounter the error (e.g., Notes, Safari).
4. Empty the Trash and restart your Mac.

On iPhone:

While iPhones don’t have a direct way to clear app caches, you can reinstall the affected apps:

1. Press and hold the app icon (e.g., Notes, Safari).
2. Tap Remove App and then choose Delete App.
3. Go to the App Store, search for the app, and reinstall it.

After clearing caches or reinstalling the apps, test Apple Intelligence to see if the problem is resolved.