Apple’s latest software update has introduced a range of AI-powered features, but these advancements come at a cost—storage space. Apple Intelligence has been enabled by default on supported devices. While these AI-driven tools offer useful capabilities such as message summarization, image generation, and an improved Siri, they also require a significant amount of storage. According to Apple’s official documentation, these AI features can take up as much as 7GB of space on iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
How Disabling Apple Intelligence Can Reclaim Storage
For users who are struggling with limited storage or simply do not use AI features often, there is an option to disable Apple Intelligence completely. Doing so will remove the AI models stored locally on the device, instantly freeing up the occupied storage space. This is particularly beneficial for iPhone users with lower storage capacities, such as those using 128GB or even 64GB models, where every gigabyte counts.
Turning off Apple Intelligence is a straightforward process. iPhone and iPad users can navigate to Settings, while Mac users need to go to System Settings. From there, they should locate the Apple Intelligence & Siri section, where they will find the option to disable Apple Intelligence. Once turned off, the system will prompt the user for confirmation before proceeding to remove AI-related resources.
However, it is important to note that disabling Apple Intelligence means losing access to certain AI features. Tools such as Writing Assistance, Genmoji, and Image Playground will no longer be available. On the other hand, some features, like the Clean Up tool in the Photos app, may continue to function even after the AI suite is disabled.
Apple Intelligence Is Limited to Newer Devices
Apple Intelligence is only available on devices equipped with Apple’s latest hardware, such as the iPhone 15 Pro, the upcoming iPhone 16 series, and M-series iPads and Macs. Older devices, including standard iPhone 15 models and previous-generation Macs, do not support these AI-powered features.
Additionally, Apple Intelligence is currently unavailable in mainland China, and Apple has yet to announce when or if it will be rolled out in that region. Users who have updated their devices to iOS 18.2 are required to opt in to activate Apple Intelligence, meaning that not all users are automatically using these AI tools.

Selective Disabling of AI Features
For users who find certain AI-powered tools useful but do not want Apple Intelligence consuming large amounts of storage, Apple provides an alternative. Instead of completely turning off the AI suite, users can selectively disable specific features through the settings of individual apps.
For example, if a user finds message summaries in notifications unnecessary, they can turn that feature off without disabling Apple Intelligence entirely. Similarly, writing assistance tools can be deactivated while still keeping other AI functions enabled. This flexibility allows users to tailor their experience based on their needs while still managing storage space efficiently.
Is Apple Intelligence Worth Keeping?
While Apple Intelligence offers a variety of AI-driven enhancements, its usefulness will largely depend on individual preferences and device storage limitations. Users who frequently use AI-generated content, advanced writing tools, or AI-assisted image creation may find it beneficial to keep the feature enabled. However, for those who rarely interact with these functions, the extra 7GB of storage space could be put to better use.

Additionally, some users may be concerned about the potential impact of AI processing on battery life and device performance. While Apple has optimized its AI models to run efficiently on supported devices, some background processes may still contribute to increased power consumption. For users who prioritize battery longevity, disabling certain AI features could offer a small improvement in overall performance.

Apple’s introduction of Apple Intelligence has brought impressive new capabilities to iPhones, iPads, and Macs, but at the cost of significant storage usage. Fortunately, users who need to free up space have the option to disable the AI suite entirely or turn off select features individually. With up to 7GB of storage at stake, managing these settings can make a noticeable difference, especially for users with limited device storage.
As Apple continues refining its AI-powered tools, future updates may bring better optimization, reducing the storage footprint of Apple Intelligence. Until then, users who do not find the features essential may benefit from disabling them and reclaiming valuable storage for other apps, media, and personal files.