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TechActive · 47h

Apple Intelligence consumes up to 30GB on macOS 27, with no way to disable it

Users report Apple Intelligence AI models taking far more storage than Apple's specs suggest, and the company removed the option to opt out.

newest coverage 12h agosummary written 13h ago7 pieces18 likes & upvotes1 comments NewswiresMastodonHacker NewsGoogle News

What to know

  • Apple Intelligence AI models consume 20–30GB on macOS 27 in some cases, far exceeding Apple's published 8–14GB specifications.
  • Apple removed the ability to opt out of model downloads; they are now mandatory and auto-download on internet connection.
  • Users report no working method to delete the models, and previous workarounds (deletion via recovery mode) no longer function in macOS 27.
  • The discrepancy between stated and actual storage use remains unexplained; Apple's support documentation does not clarify why consumption varies so widely.
some voices

Apple's mandatory AI model allocation is unjustifiable and potentially unlawful given the lack of user control.

  • “It's lawsuit-worthy that Apple thinks it's okay to consume anywhere from 20 to 30 GB of storage for Apple Intelligence while offering no way to turn it off.”

    tristan@hachyderm.io · Mastodon ↗

Apple Developer of macOS 27 and Apple Intelligence

Apple Intelligence consumes up to 30GB on macOS 27, with no way to disable it
macrumors.com

How it unfolded 3 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

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8 AM4 PMyesterday8 AM4 PMnow · 2:07 AM ET
  1. 3

    User calls storage allocation legally problematic and reports workaround no longer functions

    A Mastodon user with 25GB consumed by Apple Intelligence states the previous recovery-mode deletion method no longer works in macOS 27 and characterizes the mandatory allocation as potentially lawsuit-worthy.

    “It's lawsuit-worthy that Apple thinks it's okay to consume anywhere from 20 to 30 GB of storage for Apple Intelligence while offering no way to turn it off.”
    — tristan@hachyderm.io

    • It's lawsuit-worthy that Apple thinks it's okay to consume anywhere from 20 to 30 GB of storage for Apple Intelligence while offering no way to turn it off. The old method of deleting Apple Intelligence from recovery with SIP disabled no longer seems to work in # macOS 27, and I now have 25 GB of AI sitting there, barely used. https://www…

      tristan@hachyderm.ioMastodon13h agoview on Mastodon ↗
  2. 1

    Apple removes toggle to disable Apple Intelligence downloads

    Apple eliminated the ability to prevent Apple Intelligence model downloads in macOS 27. Unlike previous macOS versions, users cannot opt out; the AI models are now mandatory system components that automatically download when the Mac connects to the internet.

    “While using Apple Intelligence is optional, downloading its on-device models is not. Apple removed the toggle to disable Apple Intelligence, so users must set aside space for Apple's models.”
    — MacRumors
  3. 2

    MacRumors documents Apple Intelligence consuming 20–30GB across multiple Macs

    Testing reveals Apple Intelligence allocates significantly more storage than Apple's published specifications. An M4 Pro Mac mini showed 20.67GB, an M3 MacBook Air 22.42GB, and one Reddit user reported 30.16GB on an M3 Pro MacBook Pro running macOS 27 Release Candidate. Apple specifies up to 14GB for M3-or-newer Macs and 8GB for others, but actual consumption varies widely.

    “AI model storage allocation appears to be considerably higher on some Macs than others.”
    — MacRumors
    1. 1 outlet Mac running out of space? Apple intelligence may be eating up to 30GB

      first by Geo News, 12h ago

    2. 1 outlet Apple Intelligence Taking up 30GB+ on Some Macs Running macOS 27

      first by MacRumors, 19h ago

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