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Apple Intelligence uses local storage for on-device models. Apple’s current macOS 27 guidance lists maximum requirements of up to 14 GB for certain newer Macs and up to 8 GB for other supported Macs—but those are not measurements of what a particular Mac has downloaded. To remove the on-device models, turn off Apple Intelligence in System Settings.
How much Mac storage can Apple Intelligence use?
Apple’s macOS 27 support guidance says Apple Intelligence requires up to 14 GB on certain newer Macs with an M3-or-later chip and at least 12 GB of unified memory. For other supported Macs, Apple lists up to 8 GB. These are maximum requirements, not a promise that your Mac is using that exact amount or will recover it all if you disable the feature. Apple’s current requirements also apply only to compatible devices and software.
Apple’s earlier macOS 26.1-era guidance listed 7 GB. That figure is historical and should not be treated as the current estimate for every Mac. Apple’s current requirements supersede it for macOS 27 guidance.
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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Turn off Apple Intelligence to remove its on-device models
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Open System Settings on your Mac.
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Select Apple Intelligence & Siri.
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Turn off Apple Intelligence, then confirm if prompted. Apple says the on-device models are removed when Apple Intelligence is turned off. The exact control label may differ depending on your macOS version or setup. See Apple’s Mac user guide for the settings path and Apple’s support guidance for the model-removal behavior.
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Check your Mac’s storage view after the change to see what changed on your own device. Apple’s published maximums do not establish how much space a particular Mac will reclaim.
Keep Apple Intelligence on but disable selected features
If you want to retain some Apple Intelligence functionality, you can use individual feature controls instead of turning the whole system off. Apple’s macOS 27 guide documents controls for features including message, email, and notification summaries. Disabling one of these selected experiences is not the same as turning off Apple Intelligence: Apple specifically ties removal of the on-device models to switching Apple Intelligence off. See Apple’s guide to turning off and restricting features.
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- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
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Which option should you choose?
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Turn off Apple Intelligence if your priority is removing its on-device models, or you do not want the functionality.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Disable selected features if you want to keep other Apple Intelligence functions while switching off particular experiences.
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YOTUO 1TB External Hard Drive, USB C Multiport Hub HDD 7-in-1, USB 3.0, SD/TF Card Reader, Docking Station, Multi-Function HDD for Windows, Mac, Android, TV, iPhone 15/16/17, Laptop, Desktop, PC- All-in-One Design: 1TB external hard drive, multi-port hub and SD/TF card reader combine to provide ample storage and comprehensive connectivity in a single device for seamless multi-device connectivity to enhance your productivity.
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- Note: This is only compatible with Apple devices that have a USB‑C port (including iPhone 15 and later, as well as all iPads with USB‑C). Using a Lightning to USB‑C adapter will not resolve the compatibility issue.
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Check storage on your Mac if you need to know the actual space change. Apple’s figures are upper limits, not a device-by-device storage report.
Check whether your Mac supports Apple Intelligence
Apple’s current support information says Mac support begins with M1 models, but compatibility depends on the device and operating system. Consult Apple’s current device and requirements list for the applicable macOS 27 details.
Quick Recap
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