You can disable Apple Intelligence entirely or turn off specific features

Apple Intelligence is turned on by default on compatible devices running iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, or macOS Sequoia 15.1 and later. You can disable it completely in Settings, or you can keep it on but turn off individual features like Writing Tools, image generation, or on-device processing. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Disabling Apple Intelligence does not delete any data or cause problems with your device. You can turn it back on at any time using the same settings. The feature is designed to be optional, and Apple provides straightforward controls to manage it however you prefer.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri and toggle off Apple Intelligence to disable it entirely.
  • On Mac, open System Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri and uncheck the Apple Intelligence box.
  • You can disable the entire feature or turn off individual tools like Writing Tools, image generation, or Siri improvements without disabling everything.
  • Disabling Apple Intelligence does not affect other device functions or delete any of your data.

How to disable Apple Intelligence on iPhone and iPad

Open the Settings app and tap Apple Intelligence & Siri. At the top of the screen, you will see a toggle labeled Apple Intelligence. Tap it to turn it off. Your device will confirm that you want to disable the feature; tap Disable to proceed.

If you want to keep Apple Intelligence on but disable specific tools, stay in the Apple Intelligence & Siri settings. You can toggle off Writing Tools, Image Playground, Genmoji, or Siri improvements individually. Each tool has its own toggle switch in this menu. This approach lets you use some features while blocking others.

How to disable Apple Intelligence on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click Apple Intelligence & Siri in the sidebar. Uncheck the box next to Apple Intelligence to turn it off completely.

To disable individual features instead, keep Apple Intelligence on and scroll down to see the list of tools. You can uncheck Writing Tools, Image Playground, Genmoji, or Siri improvements separately. Each feature has its own checkbox. The process is nearly identical to iPhone and iPad, just using checkboxes instead of toggles.

What happens when you disable Apple Intelligence

Disabling Apple Intelligence removes access to Writing Tools (which summarize text, proofread, and rewrite), Image Playground (which generates images), Genmoji (which creates custom emoji), and Siri improvements powered by on-device processing. Your device will continue to work normally otherwise.

Siri will still function, but it will use its standard processing instead of the newer on-device model. Mail, Messages, Notes, and other built-in apps will work as they did before Apple Intelligence was introduced. No data is deleted when you disable the feature, and you will not see any error messages or warnings in your apps.

Turning Apple Intelligence back on

If you change your mind, you can re-enable Apple Intelligence using the same settings. On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri and toggle Apple Intelligence back on. On Mac, open System Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri and check the Apple Intelligence box again.

You may need to wait a few minutes for your device to download and set up the feature again. Once enabled, all tools will be available unless you previously disabled specific ones. The re-activation process is automatic and requires no additional steps beyond checking the box or toggling the switch.

Disabling Apple Intelligence on specific apps

Some apps let you disable Apple Intelligence features within the app itself rather than in Settings. For example, in Mail or Messages, you may see a Writing Tools button or menu option. You can decline to use these tools on a per-message basis without disabling the feature system-wide.

This approach is useful if you want to keep Apple Intelligence available but simply choose not to use it in certain contexts. The feature will remain on in Settings and available in other apps. You can also ignore Writing Tools suggestions that appear automatically without turning off the feature entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling Apple Intelligence slow down my device or free up storage?

Disabling Apple Intelligence will not noticeably speed up your device or free up significant storage space. The feature uses minimal resources when not actively in use. If you are experiencing performance issues, they are likely caused by something else.

Can I disable Apple Intelligence on just one app?

You cannot disable Apple Intelligence for a single app while keeping it on everywhere else. You can turn off the entire feature or individual tools (like Writing Tools or Image Playground), but the setting applies across all apps. You can choose not to use specific tools within an app without disabling them system-wide.

Do I need to disable Apple Intelligence if I do not want to use it?

No. You can leave Apple Intelligence on and simply not use it. The feature does not activate unless you explicitly ask for it — for example, by tapping a Writing Tools button or asking Siri a question. Disabling it is only necessary if you prefer it not to be available at all.

What if my device does not have an Apple Intelligence option in Settings?

Your device may not be compatible with Apple Intelligence, or you may not be running the required software version. Apple Intelligence requires iPhone 15 Pro or later, iPad Pro with M1 or later, or Mac with M1 or later, running iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, or macOS Sequoia 15.1 or later. Check your device model and update to the latest software version.