Where to find and disable Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence is turned on by default on compatible devices running iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, or macOS Sequoia. You can disable it entirely through Settings, or turn off individual features if you want to keep some but not others. The process takes less than a minute and does not require restarting your device.
On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > Apple Intelligence and toggle off Apple Intelligence at the top. On Mac, open System Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri and uncheck Enable Apple Intelligence. Once disabled, the on-device processing stops when ready, though any data already processed locally remains on your device until you manually delete it.
If you want to keep Apple Intelligence but disable specific features — like Writing Tools, image generation, or Siri improvements — you can toggle each one separately in the same settings menu. This gives you control over which tasks use machine learning and which do not.
Key Takeaways
- Apple Intelligence is disabled through Settings on iPhone and iPad, or System Settings on Mac, with a single toggle at the top of the Apple Intelligence menu.
- You can disable the entire feature or turn off individual tools like Writing Tools, image generation, and Siri enhancements while keeping others active.
- Disabling Apple Intelligence stops new processing when ready but does not automatically delete data your device has already processed locally.
- On Mac, disabling Apple Intelligence can free up storage space and reduce background processing, which may improve performance on older or storage-constrained machines.
Why you might want to disable it
Apple Intelligence uses processing power and storage space on your device. If you have an older iPhone, iPad, or Mac with limited RAM or storage, running these features in the background can slow down other tasks. Disabling it frees up those resources for the programs you use most often.
Some people disable Apple Intelligence for privacy reasons. Even though Apple says processing happens on-device rather than on company servers, you may prefer not to use machine learning features at all. Turning it off means your device does not analyze your writing, generate images, or process Siri requests through these tools.
You might also disable it temporarily while troubleshooting performance issues. If your device is running slowly and you want to test whether Apple Intelligence is the cause, turning it off for a day or two can show you whether performance improves.
What happens to your data when you disable it
Disabling Apple Intelligence does not automatically erase the data your device has already processed. Text analysis, image generation history, and Siri learning data remain stored locally until you manually delete them. If you want a clean slate, you need to take an extra step.
On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri > Delete Intelligence Data. On Mac, open System Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri and click Delete Intelligence Data. This removes all locally stored machine learning data from your device. The deletion is permanent and cannot be undone.
Disabling Apple Intelligence on specific apps
You do not have to disable Apple Intelligence globally. Some apps let you turn off specific features while keeping them active elsewhere. For example, you can disable Writing Tools in Mail but keep them in Notes, or disable image generation in one app but not another.
In most Apple apps, look for the Apple Intelligence icon (a sparkle symbol) when you are using a feature. Tap or click it and select Disable in [App Name]. Third-party apps that support Apple Intelligence will have similar options in their settings or in the feature itself. Check the app's preferences menu if you do not see the option in the feature itself.
Performance impact of disabling Apple Intelligence
On newer devices with plenty of RAM and storage, disabling Apple Intelligence usually makes little noticeable difference to everyday performance. These devices have enough resources to run both Apple Intelligence and your other apps without slowdown. The benefit of disabling it is mainly privacy or preference, not speed.
On older Macs or iPhones with limited storage — particularly 64GB or 128GB models — disabling Apple Intelligence can help. The feature uses several gigabytes of storage for its models and processing cache. Freeing that space means more room for photos, apps, and files, and slightly less background processing competing with your active tasks.
If your device is already running slowly, disabling Apple Intelligence alone may not solve the problem. Check whether other background tasks, low storage, or aging hardware are the real cause. Use Activity Monitor on Mac or Settings > Battery on iPhone to see what is consuming the most resources.
Re-enabling Apple Intelligence later
If you disable Apple Intelligence and later change your mind, you can turn it back on the same way you turned it off. Go to Settings > Apple Intelligence on iPhone and iPad, or System Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri on Mac, and toggle it back on. Your device will read the necessary models again, which may take a few minutes depending on your internet connection.
When you re-enable it, your device starts fresh with no previous learning data. Any text analysis, image generation history, or Siri personalization from before you disabled it is gone. This is because you deleted that data when you turned the feature off, or it was cleared when you disabled it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does disabling Apple Intelligence improve battery life?
On most devices, the improvement is small — usually a few percent at most. Apple Intelligence is designed to use minimal power by processing on-device rather than sending data to servers. If battery life is your main concern, disabling background app refresh or reducing screen brightness typically has a bigger impact.
Can I disable Apple Intelligence on just one device if I have multiple Apple devices?
Yes. Each device has its own Apple Intelligence settings and can be controlled independently. Disabling it on your iPhone does not affect your iPad or Mac. You can turn it off on one device and leave it on another.
What if I disable Apple Intelligence but still see the sparkle icon in my apps?
The icon may appear briefly before the system recognizes that the feature is disabled. If it persists, restart your device. If it continues after a restart, check that Apple Intelligence is actually toggled off in Settings — sometimes the toggle does not save on the first try.
Will disabling Apple Intelligence affect Siri?
Siri will still work, but it loses the machine learning improvements that Apple Intelligence provides. Basic voice commands, timers, and app launching continue to function normally. You will just lose the smarter context understanding and personalization that Apple Intelligence adds.
Can I disable Apple Intelligence without losing my other settings?
Yes. Disabling Apple Intelligence changes only that feature. Your apps, photos, contacts, passwords, and all other settings remain exactly as they are. You are only removing the machine learning processing, not any of your personal data or device configuration.