PCMag reports that Apple Intelligence is taking up significant on-device storage on iPhone and Mac, with the outlet describing the space demands as a tradeoff tied to Apple’s privacy-focused AI approach.
According to PCMag, Apple Intelligence depends on on-device processing rather than pushing that work to remote servers, which means the AI models themselves need to live on the device and can consume multiple gigabytes of storage in the process. The outlet says that is the cost of Apple’s pitch around handling more AI work locally instead of sending private data away for processing in its report.
That does not mean users can clean things up file by file. PCMag says Apple does not give users granular control over its on-device AI models, so users cannot simply delete Apple Intelligence files individually from the device in the article.
What PCMag says happens on Macs
PCMag’s report spends most of its practical advice on the Mac side, where the storage outcome depends on which version of macOS a user is running.
On macOS 26 or earlier, PCMag says turning off Apple Intelligence should free up disk space right away, although a reboot may be needed before the newly available storage appears in the system readout, according to PCMag.
On macOS 27, the outlet says disabling Apple Intelligence features or switching to classic Siri will not automatically clear that storage. PCMag says Apple Intelligence and Siri are a core part of the newer OS, and adds that users may see System Data shrink over time, though it says that is not guaranteed.
PCMag’s article was published Oct. 1, 2026, with Jason Cohen listed as senior editor and Courtney Johnston listed as editor.
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