How to Turn Off AppleIntelligence on Your Apple Devices: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Turn Off AppleIntelligence on Your Apple Devices: A Step-by-Step GuideApple released new software updates on Monday, including iOS 18.3, which automatically enabled the AppleIntelligence feature for users, at least on newer devices

How to Turn Off AppleIntelligence on Your Apple Devices: A Step-by-Step Guide

Apple released new software updates on Monday, including iOS 18.3, which automatically enabled the AppleIntelligence feature for users, at least on newer devices. However, contrary to common tech industry assumptions or expectations, not all users want generative AI features enabled by default on their devices. Some users may choose to turn off this new AI functionality for a variety of reasons. These might include concerns about the environmental impact of the AI industry, disagreements with the political leanings of some industry leaders, or simply because they find the technology currently performs poorly a point evidenced by AppleIntelligence's actual performance, with sub-forums already dedicated to discussing its failures.

This article will guide you through turning off AppleIntelligence on your devices. The steps are similar and relatively straightforward, whether you use an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. We'll detail how to disable AppleIntelligence on different Apple devices in the sections below, along with some additional advice to help you better manage your device's privacy and security.

Disabling AppleIntelligence on iPhone and iPad

On iOS devices (including iPhones and iPads), turning off AppleIntelligence is intuitive:

1. Locate the Settings App: Find and tap the Settings app on your home screen. Its usually an app with a grey gear icon.

2. Find Apple Intelligence & Siri: Scroll down the settings list until you find the Apple Intelligence & Siri option. This might be located in the middle or lower part of the list, depending on the number and order of your installed apps.

3. Turn Off AppleIntelligence: Tap the Apple Intelligence & Siri option to enter the submenu. You'll see a toggle switch to enable or disable AppleIntelligence. This is usually a white slider that slides right to turn on and left to turn off. Slide the toggle to the left (grey position) to disable AppleIntelligence.

4. Confirm Shutdown: A confirmation dialog box might appear asking if you are sure you want to turn off AppleIntelligence. Tap Turn Off or a similar confirmation button to complete the action.

5. Optional: Turn Off Siri: In the same menu, you can also choose to turn off Siri. We recommend disabling Siri for privacy and security reasons, particularly those related to Siri on the lock screen. Turning off Siri is done the same way as disabling AppleIntelligenceby toggling the switch. This will further enhance your device's privacy protection and prevent potential unauthorized access.

Disabling AppleIntelligence on Mac

Disabling AppleIntelligence on macOS devices is similar to iOS devices but slightly different:

1. Access System Settings: Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, and then select System Settings. This will open the System Settings window.

2. Find AppleIntelligence: In the System Settings window, locate and click the AppleIntelligence option. You may need to scroll to find it, depending on the number and order of your installed apps and your macOS version.

3. Turn Off AppleIntelligence: In the AppleIntelligence settings panel, you'll see a toggle switch to control the enabled/disabled status of AppleIntelligence. Click the switch to turn it off.

4. Confirm Shutdown: Similar to iOS devices, a confirmation dialog box might appear asking you to confirm whether you want to turn off AppleIntelligence. Click Turn Off or a similar confirmation button to complete the action.

5. Optional: Turn Off Siri: In the same settings panel, you can also choose to turn off Siri. For optimal privacy and security, its recommended to turn off Siri as well. This is done by clicking the corresponding toggle switch.

Additional Notes on AppleIntelligence Privacy

Its worth noting that Apple has stated its AI functionality, AppleIntelligence, is designed with privacy in mind and is based on its private cloud computing infrastructure. This means no personal data touches AppleIntelligences servers. This contrasts with many other AI service providers, who typically collect and process vast amounts of user data. This approach by Apple alleviates some privacy concerns, but it may also limit certain aspects of AppleIntelligences functionality.

Conclusion

Turning off AppleIntelligence is a simple process requiring only a few easy steps. The method is similar for iPhones, iPads, and Macs, allowing users flexibility based on their device type and operating system version. By turning off AppleIntelligence, users can better control their device's privacy and data security and avoid potential risks. If you have any questions about AppleIntelligences functionality or its privacy policy, please refer to Apples official documentation or contact Apple support. We hope this guide helps you successfully disable AppleIntelligence on your devices and better manage your data privacy and security. Remember, privacy and security are paramount; manage your device settings carefully.