How to Disable Apple Intelligence on iPhone

Every time I unlock my iPhone and see those accumulating notification summaries or the writing assistant popping up with suggestions, I get this overwhelming sense of being drowned in information. My phone, which was once a tool to make life more convenient, has become something entirely different with the addition of Apple Intelligence. It feels like an uninvited “smart assistant,” constantly reminding me, assisting me, and even making decisions that I never asked for. Perhaps it’s because it is too smart, smart enough to make me feel annoyed. It’s like waking up in the morning to find myself surrounded by fragmented advice, advice that isn’t necessarily unpleasant but occupies too much of my attention at the wrong moments.

I know I’m not the only one who feels this way. Many people, like me, find that although Apple Intelligence is advanced, it doesn’t truly help in the way we need. In this article, I’ll explain in detail how to disable Apple Intelligence on your iPhone, so it no longer dominates your life. I hope that by sharing my experience, I can help those who feel the same way, making our phones simple and orderly again, rather than drowning in a sea of information.

Entering the World of Apple Intelligence

Apple Intelligence is a feature introduced by Apple for its devices, powered by artificial intelligence. It covers several aspects, from writing tools to notification summaries, even image generation—all relying on AI support. For many, these features are seen as helpful “assistants,” bringing convenience to work and daily life. But for users like me, these features feel more like pop-up windows on my desktop that disrupt my focus when I need it most. It’s like a friend who constantly interrupts, making me pause my thoughts to respond to every prompt it gives.

This smart assistant isn’t just a tool—it’s more like an invisible force working in the background. When I’m doing something simple, Apple Intelligence automatically pushes relevant suggestions, reminders, and tasks, even offering me advice on how to rewrite a message, schedule an appointment, or enhance a photo. These “optimizations,” although they sound impressive, often make me feel like I’m living under the control of a machine rather than leading my own life.

How to Disable Apple Intelligence: Step One, Get Ready

Before I decided to disable these features, I had tried to “coexist” with them for several months. Each time I opened my phone, I would see “optimization” tips that weren’t relevant to me. It made me feel uneasy, as if I had placed an alarm clock in my house that kept ringing, and I couldn’t turn it off. While it had its purpose, it always appeared at the wrong moments, disrupting my focus when I needed it the most.

However, I realized that since the introduction of Apple Intelligence, my phone’s local storage was slowly being consumed. Every time I downloaded an update, I noticed the “AI models” were taking up more space. At first, it only took up 3GB, but soon it surpassed 7GB and even more. At that point, I realized that if I didn’t turn off these features, they would keep “eating up” my storage space, like an expanding shadow that couldn’t be eradicated.

Step One: Disable Individual Features

Now, let’s dive into the main topic: how to disable some of Apple Intelligence’s features. First, I opened the “Settings” app on my iPhone, feeling both excited and a little nervous. After all, this meant I was about to control those annoying smart assistants. In the “Settings,” I found the “Apple Intelligence & Siri” option and clicked into it. The interface presented all the features I needed, like opening a treasure box filled with things I wanted to control.

Disable Notification Summary

The first feature I disabled was the notification summary, which had always troubled me. This feature was supposed to help me organize notifications from different apps, but in reality, it just piled all the chaotic information together. When I was busy, it constantly reminded me how many unread messages there were and even who I should reply to. While it helped organize things, it didn’t offer real convenience—it only distracted me by showing irrelevant reminders.

Disabling this feature is simple: go to “Settings,” select “Notifications,” find the “Notification Summary,” and turn it off. It felt like cleaning up a messy drawer, no longer being disturbed by trivial notifications. My phone was now quiet again, and all the unnecessary reminders disappeared. Life seemed a little lighter.

Disable Writing Tools and Image Creation

Next, I disabled the writing tools and image creation features. These two features have always been the “stars” of Apple Intelligence. The writing assistant can automatically help me rewrite sentences and optimize articles, but these suggestions often didn’t fit my writing style, making me feel controlled. As for the image creation feature, it seemed cool, but most of the time, I didn’t need these auto-generated images. They felt more like technology replacing my creativity, while I preferred to create and design things myself.

To disable these features, I needed to go into the “Screen Time” settings, select “Content & Privacy Restrictions,” and disable “Writing Tools” and “Image Creation.” It was like closing a door that had been left open—the noise and distractions outside faded, leaving me alone with my creativity.

Step Two: Fully Disable Apple Intelligence

If you’re like me and want to completely get rid of these smart assistants, the most effective way is to fully disable Apple Intelligence. This process is a bit complicated, but not difficult. First, go to “Settings,” find “Apple Intelligence & Siri,” and turn off the top Apple Intelligence switch. By doing this, all AI features will be disabled, and your phone will return to a state without interference.

However, there’s one thing to note: the AI models of Apple Intelligence will still occupy your phone’s storage. Even if you turn off all the features, these models still take up around 7GB of storage. If you don’t want them to take up any more space, you’ll need to perform a reset. Choose “Settings” > “General” > “Transfer or Reset iPhone” > “Erase All Content and Settings,” and then restore your phone to factory settings. This will leave your iPhone fresh, with all traces of Apple Intelligence removed.

Recommended Platforms for Purchasing iPhone

If you’re planning to buy a new iPhone and want to choose a convenient and reliable platform, I recommend the following popular U.S.-based platforms:

• Apple Official Website: Whether you’re purchasing the latest iPhone model or seeking after-sales support, the official Apple website provides the most direct assistance and services.
• Amazon: Amazon is the largest online retailer in the U.S. and offers various iPhone models, often with promotional deals, perfect for those who love discounts.
• Best Buy: Best Buy is a well-known electronics retailer in the U.S. It offers both online and in-store iPhone purchasing options, with flexible payment methods, making it very convenient.

These platforms allow you to purchase your desired iPhone easily and quickly while benefiting from comprehensive after-sales services and return/exchange guarantees.

Final Thoughts

The process of disabling Apple Intelligence is not just about removing annoying features; it’s about establishing a healthier, more natural relationship with my phone. Everyone uses their phones differently—some like the convenience AI brings, while others prefer a more pure experience. I chose to disable Apple Intelligence, not because it’s bad, but because what I need is a simpler, clearer phone experience. And all of this starts with a simple setting change.