Apple has embraced AI in a big way with its Apple Intelligence suite—a collection of features designed to enhance your user experience by rewriting text, creating custom emojis, and providing deeper insights into your surroundings. However, if you’re not quite sold on its utility, you’re not alone. According to a Sell Cell survey, 73% of Apple users feel AI doesn’t add much value to their smartphone experience. Additionally, a CNET report found that 25% of smartphone owners aren’t interested in AI at all.
If you’re among those who feel AI features are more of a distraction than a benefit, or if you’d prefer to wait for the technology to mature, Apple makes it easy to disable Apple Intelligence either entirely or selectively.
Why Some Users Are Turning Off Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence, while ambitious, is still a work in progress. Though it offers handy tools like notification summaries and the Clean Up feature in the Photos app, it’s understandable if you don’t want to feel like a beta tester for evolving AI technology. Whether you find some features distracting or feel they lack real value, Apple provides ways to tailor your experience—or opt out altogether.
What Devices and Systems Use Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence is available on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 series, M-series Macs, and the newest iPad models, including the iPad mini. If you’ve updated to iOS 18.2, you might already have access to these features, but you can disable them if they’re not for you.
How to Turn Off Apple Intelligence Completely
To disable Apple Intelligence across your device, you need to open Settings on your iPhone or iPad or System Settings on your Mac. From there, select Apple Intelligence & Siri, toggle off the Apple Intelligence option, and confirm your choice when prompted by tapping Turn Off Apple Intelligence.
Once disabled, certain features will no longer be available. Writing tools for editing and rewriting text will stop functioning, as will notification summaries that provide concise previews of your messages. Visual Intelligence, which is available only on iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, will also be deactivated. Other features that will no longer work include Genmoji, the tool for creating custom emojis (available only on iPhone and iPad), and Image Playground, although the app itself will remain functional without the ability to create new images. Additionally, the integration of ChatGPT with Siri and the Image Wand feature in the Notes app will be turned off. Interestingly, the Clean Up tool in the Photos app will continue to work even after you disable Apple Intelligence because its resources are downloaded the first time you use it.
How to Turn Off Specific Apple Intelligence Features If you find some Apple Intelligence features useful but not others, Apple allows you to disable individual features. For instance, to disable notification summaries in Messages, navigate to Settings > Apps > Messages and toggle off the Summarize Messages option. Writing tools, which offer AI-assisted text editing across apps, cannot be turned off individually—they require disabling Apple Intelligence system-wide. Additionally, most apps include an Apple Intelligence & Siri section in their settings, where you can turn off the Learn from this App option. This prevents Apple Intelligence from analyzing your usage patterns for suggestions but does not impact specific AI features.
Before You Disable AI Completely Apple Intelligence is evolving, and with updates like iOS 18.2, new features such as smarter email categorization in the Mail app are being introduced. If you’re curious but hesitant, consider making a full backup of your device before updating or experimenting with these tools. In the end, whether you’re excited about AI or ready to turn it off, Apple gives you the flexibility to customize your experience.
