Quick Answer
- iOS 26 and earlier: go to Settings, Apple Intelligence & Siri, and switch Apple Intelligence off.
- iOS 27: several guides report that the single master switch is gone. You turn features off one at a time.
- The strongest control is Screen Time, under Content & Privacy Restrictions, then Intelligence & Siri.
- Turning features off may not free storage on iOS 27, because reports say the models stay installed.
- Menus differ by iPhone model and software version, so check your own Settings.
Apple Intelligence adds writing tools, notification summaries, image creation and a smarter Siri. If you do not want any of it, the steps depend on which version of iOS you use. On iOS 26 it is one switch. On iOS 27, reports say Apple removed that switch.
Which iOS version do you have?
Open Settings, General, About and check iOS Version. Then follow the matching section below.
Turn off Apple Intelligence on iOS 26 and earlier
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apple Intelligence & Siri.
- Switch off Apple Intelligence.
- Tap Turn Off Apple Intelligence to confirm.
On some older iOS 18 builds the menu is labeled only Siri. Reports say this also removes the on-device models, which can free storage, but results vary. One guide mentions up to about 7GB, while a community user reported no change.
Turn off Apple Intelligence on iOS 27
Several 2026 guides say iOS 27 removed the master switch. One guide notes that Apple’s own iOS 27 support page lists controls feature by feature. Another guide still describes a single toggle on iPhone, so reports differ, and you should check your own Settings first. If you do not see one switch, use the steps below.
Turn off Siri AI. Go to Settings, then Siri, and tap Turn Off Siri. To keep normal Siri, tap Turn on Siri and choose Siri Classic.
Turn off summaries.
- Notifications: Settings, Notifications, Summarize Notifications, off.
- Priority notifications: Settings, Notifications, Prioritize Notifications, off.
- Messages: Settings, Messages (or Apps, then Messages), Summarize Messages, off.
- Mail: Settings, Apps, Mail, Summarize Message Previews, off.
Turn off the ChatGPT link. Go to Settings, Apple Intelligence & Siri, ChatGPT and turn off Use ChatGPT.
Turn off the rest.
- Phone: Settings, Apps, Phone, turn off voicemail suggestions and Call context cards.
- Journal: Settings, Apps, Journal, turn off Get Writing Prompts.
- Image Playground: press and hold the icon, tap Remove App, then Delete App. One guide says it is the only AI part you can delete.
Menu names above come from guides written in September 2026, and Apple can rename them in updates.
Block features with Screen Time (strongest method)
- Open Settings, Screen Time, Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Tap Intelligence & Siri.
- Choose a feature, such as Writing Tools or Image Creation, and select Don’t Allow.
Set a Screen Time passcode if you want to stop anyone from turning them back on. This is also useful for a child’s iPhone.
Turn off Apple Intelligence on Mac
On macOS Tahoe 26, open System Settings, Apple Intelligence & Siri and switch Apple Intelligence off. For macOS 27, sources disagree on whether a master toggle remains, so check System Settings on your Mac. If it is missing, turn off features one at a time or use Screen Time.
Will it free up storage?
Do not expect a big change on iOS 27. One guide reports that Apple Intelligence can need up to 14GB on newer Pro iPhones and 8GB on other supported models, and that turning features off does not reliably remove the models. If you need space, try offloading unused apps and enabling Optimize iPhone Storage.
What still works after you turn it off?
Calls, texts, Photos, Maps, the camera and classic Siri keep working. You lose Writing Tools, notification summaries, Image Playground, Genmoji and the ChatGPT link.
Will it turn back on after an update?
One guide says Apple Intelligence stays off until you turn it on again and does not switch on during a normal update. Still, check your settings after a major iOS update. For other phones and apps, see our guides to turn off Gemini on Android and disable Copilot on Windows 11. If privacy is your reason, read about Copilot human reviewers and your photos.
FAQs
How do I turn off Apple Intelligence?
On iOS 26, go to Settings, Apple Intelligence & Siri and switch it off. On iOS 27, turn off each feature in Settings or block them in Screen Time.
Why can’t I find the Apple Intelligence toggle?
Several guides report that iOS 27 removed the master switch. Use the feature by feature steps in this guide.
Does turning off Apple Intelligence delete my data?
These steps stop the features. They are not a guarantee of deleting any data. Check Apple’s support page for what is stored.
Can I turn off Apple Intelligence on a Mac?
On macOS Tahoe 26, use System Settings, Apple Intelligence & Siri. On macOS 27, check your build or use Screen Time.
Is Apple Intelligence available on every iPhone?
No. Reports say it needs iPhone 15 Pro or later models, plus iPhone 16 and newer.
