Turn off and restrict access to Apple Intelligence features on Mac
Apple's new "Intelligence" features are here, and this guide shows you how to turn them off on your Mac. HN users are discussing the perceived lack of intelligence in these new AI tools and the familiar pattern of needing to disable bloatware. It highlights a common frustration with new software updates: privacy concerns and the fight for user agency.
The Lowdown
Apple's official support article details the process for users to disable various newly introduced Apple Intelligence features on their Mac running macOS 27.
- Siri AI & Summarization: Instructions cover turning off Siri AI (Beta) and reverting to Siri Classic, as well as disabling summarization capabilities in Messages, Mail, and Notifications.
- Personalized Features: Users can also find steps to turn off Personalized Smart Replies in Mail, Voicemail suggestions in Phone, Call Context cards, and Writing Prompts in the Journal app.
- Restriction & Limitations: The article notes how to restrict access via Screen Time for both individual users and children, and mentions that Apple Intelligence may not be available in all regions or languages, with potential usage limits.
This guide serves as a practical manual for users looking to manage or completely deactivate the new AI functionalities integrated into Apple's latest operating system.
The Gossip
Dubious Digital Drollery
Commenters expressed disappointment with the actual "intelligence" of Apple's new AI features, citing examples where the AI's suggestions, like Genmoji, were nonsensical or "stupid" despite being processed on-device. This suggests a gap between the promised sophistication and real-world utility.
Bloatware Blues & Disabling Drudgery
Many users drew parallels between Apple's current trajectory and Microsoft's historical "crapware maturity," where new software updates necessitate a manual deactivation of numerous unwanted features to maintain user agency and privacy. This theme also highlighted the perceived complexity of disabling these features, especially on iOS, suggesting a cumbersome user experience.
Storage Sagacity: Local Model Footprint
Discussion arose around the practical implications of local AI models on device storage. Users questioned whether the storage space consumed by these models is actually reclaimed once the features are disabled, with one comment humorously pointing out that if storage is already full, the issue might be moot.