Podcast Summary: All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio) Episode: Hands-On Mac 167: Disabling Apple Intelligence
Release Date: January 30, 2025
Host: Micah Sargent
Podcast Network: TWiT

Introduction

In the January 30, 2025 episode of Hands-On Mac, hosted by Micah Sargent, the discussion centers around disabling Apple Intelligence—a suite of advanced features now enabled by default across Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Micah delves into the reasons why some users might prefer to turn off these features and provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to do so.

Understanding Apple Intelligence

Apple Intelligence encompasses a range of functionalities designed to enhance user interaction with Apple devices. Key features include:

• Emoji Generation Using Writing Tools: Allows users to create custom emojis based on their input.
• ChatGPT Integration via Siri: Enables conversational AI interactions through Siri.
• Enhanced Siri Capabilities: Provides smarter and more intuitive responses to user queries.

While these features offer significant enhancements, Micah acknowledges that not all users may find them necessary or preferable, prompting the need for disabling them.

Disabling Apple Intelligence on macOS

Micah begins by addressing macOS users:

1. Access System Settings:

   • Navigate to the System Settings on your Mac.

2. Locate Apple Intelligence and Siri:

   • Instead of the usual Siri section, users will now find an Apple Intelligence and Siri section.

3. Toggle Off Apple Intelligence:

   • Switch off the Apple Intelligence feature.
   • A prompt appears:

     “Apple Intelligence features like writing tools will not be available. If you continue, Siri will also stop using the additional capabilities provided by Apple Intelligence.”
     — Micah Sargent [00:45]

4. Effect of Disabling:

   • Loss of access to advanced writing tools and enhanced Siri functionalities.
   • Only basic Siri controls remain active, such as voice interactions and keyboard shortcuts.

5. Re-enabling Features:

   • To turn Apple Intelligence back on, revisit the System Settings, navigate to Apple Intelligence, and toggle the feature back on. This restores all advanced functionalities.

Disabling Apple Intelligence on iPhone

Transitioning to iOS devices, Micah outlines a similar process with specific nuances for the iPhone:

1. Open Settings App:

   • Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.

2. Navigate to Apple Intelligence and Siri:

   • Scroll down to find the Apple Intelligence and Siri section.

3. Disable Apple Intelligence:

   • Toggle off the Apple Intelligence feature.
   • A prompt appears:

     “Turn off Apple Intelligence.”
     — Micah Sargent [04:00]

4. Impact on Siri Features:

   • The Talk and Type to Siri option is disabled, limiting Siri to voice-only interactions.
   • Users desiring to type messages to Siri must utilize accessibility settings instead of the default Apple Intelligence options.

5. Re-enabling Apple Intelligence:

   • Turning the feature back on initiates the download of on-device models necessary for Apple Intelligence, requiring Wi-Fi and power connectivity.
   • A prompt advises:

     “Connecting iPhone to Wi-Fi and power while models are downloading.”
     — Micah Sargent [05:15]

Disabling Apple Intelligence on iPad

For iPad users, the steps mirror those of the iPhone with slight variations:

1. Access Settings App:

   • Open the Settings application on your iPad.

2. Find Apple Intelligence and Siri:

   • Locate the Apple Intelligence and Siri section within settings.

3. Turn Off Apple Intelligence:

   • Toggle the Apple Intelligence switch to off.
   • A confirmation prompt appears similar to macOS and iOS devices.

4. Verification of Changes:

   • Post-disablement, the Talk to Siri option replaces Talk and Type to Siri, confirming the deactivation of Apple Intelligence.
   • Micah notes:

     “That is kind of another way to kind of confirm that it actually has changed.”
     — Micah Sargent [06:30]

5. Storage Benefits:

   • Disabling Apple Intelligence can free up storage space by removing on-device models.

6. Re-enabling Features:

   • Reactivating Apple Intelligence follows the same process as on the iPhone, including downloading necessary models.

Conclusion

Micah Sargent wraps up the episode by reiterating the steps to disable Apple Intelligence across macOS, iPhone, and iPad devices. He emphasizes the flexibility users have in customizing their device functionalities to better suit their preferences. Whether concerned about privacy, storage, or simply preferring basic Siri interactions, Micah provides clear guidance to regain control over Apple's default intelligent features.

“If at any time you decide that it's not for you, you can turn off the Apple Intelligence features.”
— Micah Sargent [07:20]

Micah thanks listeners and signs off, hinting at future episodes that continue to explore and demystify Apple’s evolving technology landscape.

Notable Quotes

• Micah Sargent [00:45]:
  “Apple Intelligence features like writing tools will not be available. If you continue, Siri will also stop using the additional capabilities provided by Apple Intelligence.”

• Micah Sargent [04:00]:
  “Turn off Apple Intelligence.”

• Micah Sargent [05:15]:
  “Connecting iPhone to Wi-Fi and power while models are downloading.”

• Micah Sargent [06:30]:
  “That is kind of another way to kind of confirm that it actually has changed.”

• Micah Sargent [07:20]:
  “If at any time you decide that it's not for you, you can turn off the Apple Intelligence features.”

Additional Notes

• Excluded Content:
  The summary omits all advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections, focusing solely on the instructional and informative segments provided by Micah Sargent.

• Utility:
  This summary serves as a comprehensive guide for users looking to disable Apple Intelligence features on their devices, providing clear instructions and insights without the need to listen to the full podcast episode.