If your iOS device continually runs low on storage, you can reclaim up to 7GB simply by turning off Apple Intelligence. The latest updates—iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3—enabled this feature by default, but it’s not mandatory. If you prefer to free up that space, you can easily disable it.
On average, Apple Intelligence uses about 7GB of storage across all supported devices. The substantial storage requirement comes from the fact that these features operate directly on the device rather than relying on cloud processing. This approach enhances security but also consumes valuable memory. It’s important to note that this is a 7GB storage requirement for each individual device, as reported by MacRumors.
Moreover, as Apple develops its AI capabilities further, the storage requirement is likely to increase. The next iOS iteration is set to launch in April, promising expanded AI functionalities, which may demand even more storage space.

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Be aware that this process is only applicable if you’re using a compatible iPhone, and the existing data on your device will influence how much space becomes available. Our tests indicated that releasing this storage was quicker when the device was nearing full capacity, whereas devices with more free space took longer to show the changes.
While Apple Intelligence boasts a variety of useful features, it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. If you regularly find yourself deleting apps to make room for new ones, consider turning off these features to gain extra storage.
Want to try it out? Navigate to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > iOS to check how much space Apple Intelligence occupies. Then head to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri > Apple Intelligence and flip the toggle to Off.
That’s all it takes! The freed-up 7GB should be sufficient to install most applications, aside from larger games and complex productivity tools.