Apple Intelligence brings clever features to your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. But not everyone wants these AI tools running in the background. Maybe you worry about privacy or just don’t need the extra features taking up space. To turn off Apple Intelligence completely, go to Settings, find “Apple Intelligence & Siri,” and toggle off the main switch.
If you only want to disable certain parts, you can do that too. Many users don’t realize they can pick and choose which Apple Intelligence features they want. You can keep helpful tools while getting rid of ones you don’t use. This gives you more control over your device and helps save battery life.
Why You Might Want to Turn Off Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence is Apple’s newest suite of AI-powered features baked into iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. From writing suggestions and advanced photo editing to Siri’s major AI glow-up, Apple Intelligence aims to make your devices smarter and more helpful. But as with any new tech, not everyone is on board.
Some users are concerned about privacy, despite Apple’s promises of on-device processing and Private Cloud Compute. Others find the constant AI suggestions intrusive or unnecessary. And then there’s the performance factor—older devices might experience slower speeds or battery drain with these features enabled.
Whatever your reason, if you’re looking to take back some control and disable Apple Intelligence (or at least parts of it), here’s how to do it.
How To Turn Off Apple Intelligence on iPhone, iPad, or Mac
Apple Intelligence isn’t a single toggle you can flip off completely. Instead, it’s integrated into various apps and features. To scale it back or turn it off, you’ll need to adjust a few different settings. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you regain control.
1. Turn Off Writing Tools Suggestions
Apple’s system-wide Writing Tools use AI to rewrite, proofread, and summarize text in apps like Mail, Notes, and Messages.
To turn this off:
- Open Settings.
- Tap General, then Keyboard.
- Toggle off Writing Suggestions or AI Writing Tools (depending on your device and software version).
This stops Apple Intelligence from offering rewrite or summarization options while you type.
2. Disable Advanced Photo Editing (Image Playground & AI Effects)
Apple Intelligence brings tools like Image Playground, AI-generated stickers, and advanced photo retouching to your Photos app.
To disable these:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Photos.
- Scroll to Apple Intelligence Features and toggle off Image Playground or AI Effects.
This prevents the system from analyzing your photos to offer editing suggestions or auto-generate content.
3. Turn Off Siri’s AI Features
Siri has been turbocharged with Apple Intelligence, offering deeper integration and smarter suggestions. But if you prefer the old, simpler Siri, you can disable the advanced AI options.
Here’s how:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Siri & Search.
- Scroll to Apple Intelligence for Siri and toggle it off.
Siri will revert to its standard features without AI-enhanced personalization and deep app integration.
4. Limit Private Cloud Compute (Optional)
Apple Intelligence uses Private Cloud Compute to process certain AI tasks securely in the cloud. While Apple claims this is privacy-first and secure, you might prefer to limit cloud-based features entirely.
At the time of writing, there’s no universal off-switch for Private Cloud Compute, but you can:
- Avoid using features that require it, like complex photo edits or Siri suggestions that involve app data.
- Sign out of iCloud for certain apps, which may reduce how often your data interacts with cloud processing.
5. Adjust App-Specific AI Features
Many Apple apps, like Mail, Safari, and Messages, offer AI-powered smart suggestions and summaries. If you’re getting overwhelmed by pop-ups or proactive prompts:
- Open the app’s Settings.
- Look for sections labeled Smart Suggestions, AI Tools, or Apple Intelligence Features.
- Disable any you don’t want active.
For example, in Safari, you can turn off AI-generated summaries on web pages by:
- Going to Settings > Safari > Advanced Features.
- Toggling off AI Page Summaries.
What Happens When You Turn Off Apple Intelligence?
When you disable Apple Intelligence features, your device stops using advanced on-device machine learning and cloud processing for those tasks. This can lead to:
- Fewer suggestions or prompts in apps.
- Less personalization in Siri responses.
- Potentially improved battery life on older devices.
- More control over your data and privacy.
However, you’ll also lose access to convenient tools like instant text rewriting, smart photo edits, and AI-powered app summaries. It’s a trade-off, but for many, the peace of mind is worth it.
Final Thoughts
Apple Intelligence promises a smarter, more helpful experience—but it’s not for everyone. Whether you’re concerned about privacy, prefer less automation, or just want to stick with simpler interactions, it’s entirely possible to dial things back.
Apple gives you the freedom to pick and choose which features to use, and knowing how to manage them means your iPhone, iPad, or Mac works on your terms—not AI’s.
Key Takeaways
- You can turn off Apple Intelligence by going to Settings and toggling the main switch in the Apple Intelligence & Siri menu.
- Users can disable specific features of Apple Intelligence in individual apps rather than turning everything off.
- Turning off Apple Intelligence may improve battery life and provide better privacy for those concerned about data collection.
Understanding Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence is Apple’s latest AI system built into iOS 18 and newer versions. This technology works directly on your device to help with daily tasks while keeping your information private and secure.
Key Features of Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence offers several smart tools that make using your iPhone, iPad, or Mac easier. The Visual Intelligence feature lets your device recognize what you’re looking at through the camera and provide useful information about it.
Notification Summaries help organize your alerts into easy-to-read groups. This saves time when you have many messages to check.
Genmoji is a fun tool that creates custom emoji based on your text descriptions. Users can make unique emojis for any situation or feeling.
In iOS 18.3, Apple added even more AI features. Some phones received ChatGPT integration, which lets users ask complex questions and get detailed answers.
The Evolution of iOS and Apple Intelligence
Apple first introduced basic AI features in iOS 18.1, but the system grew much more powerful with each update. The technology uses on-device processing for most tasks, which helps protect user privacy.
The iOS 18.3 update marked a major step forward with improved performance and more accurate responses. When users install this version, their devices download special AI models that work locally.
The recent iOS 18.3.2 update fixed several bugs that affected Apple Intelligence features. It also made the system run faster on older compatible devices.
Apple designed these tools to learn from how people use their devices. The system gets better at predicting needs and suggesting helpful actions over time without sending private data to Apple’s servers.
Disabling Apple Intelligence on iOS Devices
Apple Intelligence can be turned off completely or partially on iOS devices. The settings are easy to find and adjust based on your privacy preferences or device usage needs.
Steps to Disable Intelligence Features on iPhone
To turn off Apple Intelligence completely on your iPhone, go to Settings and tap on “Apple Intelligence & Siri.” Here you can toggle off Apple Intelligence entirely with a single switch.
For more specific controls, you can use Screen Time settings. First, go to Settings, then tap “Screen Time.” Next, select “Content & Privacy Restrictions” and make sure to turn this option on.
After that, tap “Intelligence & Siri” to see a list of specific AI features you can restrict. This method lets you turn off desired AI features one by one rather than all at once.
If you’re setting up a new iPhone 16, you’ll also see Apple Intelligence options during the onboarding process. You can choose to opt out right then.
Managing Apple Intelligence on iPad
The process for iPads follows similar steps to iPhones. Open the Settings app on your iPad and look for “Apple Intelligence & Siri” in the menu.
Tap this option to see the main toggle for Apple Intelligence. You can switch it off completely with one tap.
For more detailed controls, iPads also offer Screen Time restrictions. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and turn it on.
Then select “Intelligence & Siri” to manage specific AI functions. This works well if you want to keep some features while turning off others.
Remember that these settings sync across your Apple ID if you use the same account on multiple devices.
Opt-Out Options for Specific AI Features
If you want to keep Apple Intelligence but limit it in certain apps, there’s a more targeted approach. Go to Settings > Apple Intelligence and scroll down to the Apps section.
From there, you can select specific apps and toggle off Apple Intelligence just for those programs. This gives you fine control over where AI features appear.
For writing suggestions, you can turn these off by going to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri > Writing Suggestions.
To stop Apple Intelligence from appearing in specific places like Photos or Mail, choose the app-by-app settings rather than disabling everything.
Many users prefer this targeted approach since it lets them keep helpful AI features while removing ones they find annoying or privacy-concerning.
Turning Off Apple Intelligence on Mac Computers
Apple Intelligence can be turned off on your Mac through the system settings. This process varies slightly depending on your MacOS version, but it’s straightforward regardless of whether you have an M1 Mac or an Intel-based model.
Adjusting Intelligence Settings on MacOS 15.3
To turn off Apple Intelligence on your Mac running MacOS 15.3, start by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen. Select “System Settings” from the dropdown menu.
In System Settings, look for the “Apple Intelligence & Siri” option and click on it. At the top of this menu, you’ll see a toggle for Apple Intelligence. Switch this toggle to the off position to disable all Apple Intelligence features.
For more specific control, you can also disable individual aspects of Apple Intelligence. Scroll down to the “Apps” section where you can toggle off Intelligence features for specific applications.
Note: Some users have reported that Apple Intelligence settings may reset after system updates. If you notice features reactivating after updating your Mac, you’ll need to revisit these settings.
Parents and administrators can also use Screen Time to restrict access. Go to System Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy, enable restrictions, then select “Intelligence & Siri” to block certain features.
Apple Intelligence in Messaging and Notifications
Apple Intelligence brings smart features to your messages and notifications. These tools help organize your communications, but you might want more control over what information gets processed automatically.
Managing Message Summaries and Notifications
Message summaries are one of the key Apple Intelligence features in iOS. If you find these summaries unhelpful or prefer to read messages in their original form, you can turn off this feature. To disable message summaries:
- Open the Settings app
- Tap on Apps
- Select Messages
- Find the “Summarize Messages” toggle and turn it off
For iOS 18.2 or later users, this setting also controls the ability to create and send AI-generated images in messages.
Notification management works differently. Apple Intelligence can group and prioritize notifications to reduce interruptions. Some users find this helpful, while others prefer seeing all notifications as they arrive.
Understanding the Impact of Disabling Notification Features
When you turn off AI-powered notification features, your device reverts to standard notification handling. This means you’ll receive all alerts without AI filtering or grouping.
Some users report inconsistent accuracy with Apple’s smart notifications, which is why they choose to disable them. Others prefer the unfiltered approach for important communications.
You can turn off specific AI features through Screen Time settings. This gives you more control than completely disabling Apple Intelligence. To do this:
- Go to Settings > Screen Time
- Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and enable the toggle
- Select Intelligence & Siri
- Turn off specific AI features you don’t want
This approach lets you keep helpful AI features while disabling ones you find less useful.
Privacy Considerations with Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence offers advanced features but raises important privacy questions. Users should understand how their data is handled and know they can control these features.
Private Cloud Compute and User Data
Apple Intelligence uses a system called Private Cloud Compute to process user information. This system aims to keep personal data private while still allowing AI features to work.
When you use Apple Intelligence, most processing happens right on your device. This helps protect your information from being shared widely.
For tasks that need more computing power, Apple uses its Private Cloud system. This system is designed to prevent Apple from seeing or storing your data.
Users who are concerned about privacy can turn off Apple Intelligence completely. Just go to Settings, then Apple Intelligence & Siri, and toggle it off.
Parents can also block Apple Intelligence features for children using Screen Time controls.
It’s worth noting that while Apple Intelligence itself focuses on privacy, interactions with ChatGPT through this feature have different privacy implications.
Apple provides privacy reports so users can see how their data is being used. These reports show activity for the last 15 minutes or 7 days.
Additional Functionalities of Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence offers several powerful features beyond its basic capabilities. These tools help users create content, enhance photos, and manage visual information with AI assistance.
AI-Generated Content and Creativity Tools
Apple Intelligence includes several Writing Tools that help users craft better text. These tools can rewrite, proofread, and summarize content across apps like Mail, Notes, and Messages.
Users can create custom emojis based on text descriptions. This feature understands context and generates relevant emoji options for messages.
The system also offers Image Creation capabilities. Users can generate unique images by typing text descriptions, with results appearing within seconds.
For advanced help, Apple Intelligence integrates with ChatGPT. This connection allows for complex questions and creative tasks without leaving Apple’s ecosystem.
Visual Intelligence and Photo Features
The Visual Intelligence system can identify objects, text, and information in photos. Users can point their camera at items to get details or search for similar content.
Apple Intelligence enhances the Photos app with smart organization. It automatically groups related images and creates collections based on people, places, and events.
The Photo Cleanup tool removes unwanted objects from images. Users can erase photobombers, power lines, or other distractions with a simple tap.
Visual search allows users to find specific images by describing what they’re looking for in natural language. This feature works even without proper tagging or naming of photos.
Device Considerations for Apple Intelligence Features
Apple Intelligence works only on specific Apple devices and requires certain system resources. Not all iPhones and iPads can use these AI features, and those that can may need careful management of storage space.
Compatible Devices with Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence is available on newer iPhone and iPad models only. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are fully compatible with all features. Older models like the standard iPhone 15 support some but not all functions.
All Apple Intelligence features require iOS 18.1 or later. Some iPads with M-series chips also work with these features. The iPad Pro and newer iPad Air models with M1 or newer chips can run Apple Intelligence.
Devices older than iPhone 15 or iPads without M-series chips cannot use most Apple Intelligence functions. This limitation exists because the AI features need advanced processing power.
Before trying to use or disable these features, check if your device supports them first.
Storage Space and Intelligence Features Management
Apple Intelligence can take up significant storage space on your device. The on-device AI models may use several gigabytes of your storage.
If your iPhone or iPad is low on storage, you might want to turn off some AI features. When you toggle off Apple Intelligence, the system may remove these models from your device, freeing up space.
You can also choose to disable only specific features rather than all AI functions. This targeted approach helps save space while keeping useful tools.
To manage storage:
- Check Settings > General > iPhone Storage
- Look for AI-related data usage
- Turn off specific features in Screen Time > Content & Privacy settings
- Remove downloaded AI models when not needed
Frequently Asked Questions
Apple Intelligence offers many helpful features, but some users prefer to turn them off. Below are answers to common questions about disabling these features on different Apple devices.
How can I disable Apple’s intelligent features on my Mac?
To turn off Apple Intelligence on a Mac, open System Settings. Look for the Apple Intelligence & Siri section and click on it.
Once there, simply toggle off the Apple Intelligence option. This will disable all Apple Intelligence features on your Mac.
What steps are required to turn off Apple Intelligence for emails in Mail app?
To disable Apple Intelligence for emails, first open Settings on your device. Navigate to Apple Intelligence & Siri in the settings menu.
Find the Mail section under Apple Intelligence features. Toggle off the smart features for Mail to stop AI from processing your emails.
How can I deactivate Apple Intelligence on my iPhone 14?
On your iPhone 14, open the Settings app. Scroll down until you find “Apple Intelligence & Siri” and tap on it.
At the top of the screen, you’ll see the main Apple Intelligence toggle. Turn this off to disable all Apple Intelligence features on your device.
Is it possible to switch off Apple Intelligence on an iPad, and if so, how?
Yes, you can turn off Apple Intelligence on an iPad. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
Scroll down and tap on “Apple Intelligence & Siri.” At the top of the screen, toggle off the Apple Intelligence option.
What is the process for turning off Apple Intelligence Message Summaries?
To disable Message Summaries, open Settings on your device. Tap on “Apple Intelligence & Siri.”
Scroll down to find the Messages section. Turn off the toggle for Message Summaries to stop getting AI-generated summaries of your conversations.
Can you provide guidance on how to disable Apple Intelligence features on an iPhone 13?
On iPhone 13, open the Settings app. Scroll down and tap on “Apple Intelligence & Siri.”
You can turn off all features at once with the main toggle at the top. For more control, you can disable specific features individually by toggling them off in this same menu.
