Turn off Apple Intelligence on macOS 27 and get its disk space back

Your Mac's storage will no longer be consumed by downloaded AI models you don't use.

A GitHub project named RemoveMacAI offers a command-line tool to disable Apple Intelligence features on macOS 27 and reclaim disk space. Unlike previous macOS versions, macOS 27 does not provide a direct user setting to turn off Apple Intelligence, and its associated models persist on the disk even after features are disabled. The RemoveMacAI script, installable via a single command or Homebrew, effectively turns off Siri, writing tools, image generation, and various AI-driven features within Apple's ecosystem. It achieves this by removing the downloaded AI models and employing a configuration profile to block macOS from re-downloading them. The tool is designed to be fully reversible, allowing users to restore Apple Intelligence features and redownload models by running a revert command.

The existence of RemoveMacAI highlights a growing user desire for granular control over system resources and AI features, particularly as these models occupy significant disk space. This tool's approach of using configuration profiles to block model downloads suggests a potential area for Apple to address in future macOS updates, either by offering native controls or refining how AI data is managed. The script's reliance on bypassing direct system file modification while still achieving its goal also points to creative solutions emerging in the developer community to manage operating system behaviors.

For users concerned about storage or privacy regarding on-device AI, this tool provides an immediate workaround, though it comes with the caveat of disabling many advanced features. The long-term implication is that as AI integration deepens across operating systems, the tension between feature richness and user control over resources will likely intensify. Developers and power users may increasingly turn to such third-party tools for customization, pushing OS vendors to consider more flexible system management options.