New open source tool lets Mac users delete Apple Intelligence data

A developer named Om Lahore on GitHub has created a new open-source command line tool called RemoveMacAI that allows Mac users to turn off Apple Intelligence and reclaim storage space, according to reports by The Verge, Ars Technica, Digital Trends, and MacRumors. The reports state that the tool switches off artificial intelligence features on macOS 27, deletes the downloaded artificial intelligence models, and prevents them from downloading again. [2][3][4][7]

The Verge, Ars Technica, Digital Trends, and MacRumors all reported that the tool can free up 12GB or more of storage space on a Mac. In addition, 9to5Mac noted that Apple says its latest artificial intelligence models can require up to 14GB of storage on newer Macs running macOS 27. [1][2][3][4][7]

Ars Technica and Digital Trends reported that Apple removed the master toggle switch for Apple Intelligence in macOS 27. Digital Trends noted that macOS 27 instead scatters artificial intelligence settings across roughly a dozen separate places, including Screen Time. Turning off those individual settings normally leaves the underlying artificial intelligence models stored on the disk, according to reports by The Verge, Ars Technica, and Digital Trends. [2][3][4]

Apple Intelligence relies on a combination of on-device and server processing powered by custom Apple silicon chips to run features like writing tools and an upgraded Siri. The service was originally announced in June 2024 as a built-in feature for supported Apple devices. [9][10]