With the arrival of iOS 27, Apple was hoping to make up a lot of ground in the AI space, but the new and improved Apple Intelligence comes with a huge caveat. Users who have already updated their iPhones to iOS 27 report that Apple Intelligence took around 15GB of internal storage. The exact amount of storage allocation varies from phone to phone – some see 16GB of their storage inaccessible after the update, others report as low as 9GB. Perhaps the more frustrating part is that Apple Intelligence takes up your storage even when you can’t use it in your region, like EU iPhone owners.
If you’ve noticed your iPhone suddenly feeling cramped after updating to iOS 27, you’re not alone. The culprit is Apple’s new AI suite, which is eager to download models and data onto your device, regardless of whether you can actually use those features. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about this storage issue and, more importantly, how to reclaim that precious space.
Why Apple Intelligence Eats Up So Much Storage
Apple Intelligence is designed to run many tasks on-device, which means it needs to store machine learning models locally. These models can be large, and they’re bundled with the update. Additionally, the system may cache data and preload resources to ensure a smooth experience when features become available. But here’s the kicker: even if you’re in a region where Apple Intelligence isn’t officially supported (like the EU), the update still installs the necessary files. That’s because Apple likely wants to avoid a situation where users in those regions suddenly gain access and then have to wait for a massive download. However, this leaves many users stuck with gigabytes of unusable data.
The exact storage hit varies. Some users report 15GB, others 16GB, and some as low as 9GB. The difference may depend on your device model and the specific features enabled. But no matter the number, it’s a significant chunk, especially for those with 64GB or 128GB iPhones.
How to Check How Much Space Apple Intelligence Is Using
Before you start deleting things, it’s helpful to see exactly how much space Apple Intelligence is occupying. Here’s how:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to General > iPhone Storage.
- Wait for the storage graph to load.
- Scroll down to find “Apple Intelligence” in the list of apps and data.
You might also see a breakdown under “System Data” or “Other” if Apple Intelligence isn’t listed separately. In that case, the storage is lumped into system files. Either way, you’ll get a sense of the impact.
Steps to Reclaim Storage After iOS 27 Update
Now, let’s get to the solutions. The goal is to free up as much space as possible without breaking your iPhone. Some methods are straightforward, while others require a bit of tinkering. We’ll start with the safest and easiest options.
1. Offload Unused Apps
This is a quick win. Offloading apps removes the app itself but keeps your data, so you can reinstall it later without losing anything. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, then tap on any large app you haven’t used in a while and select “Offload App.” Repeat for several apps, and you could easily free up a few gigabytes.
2. Delete Large Files and Videos
Photos and videos are notorious space hogs. Use the iPhone Storage menu to see which apps are taking up the most space. For Photos, consider deleting duplicate shots, old screenshots, and videos you no longer need. You can also use iCloud Photos to optimize storage – go to Settings > Photos and enable “Optimize iPhone Storage.” This keeps full-resolution versions in iCloud and smaller versions on your device.
3. Clear Safari Cache and Website Data
Safari can accumulate a lot of cached data over time. To clear it, go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. This won’t affect your bookmarks or saved passwords, but it will log you out of some sites. It’s a small price to pay for a cleaner storage situation.
4. Review Messages Attachments
Messages can also store a surprising amount of data, especially if you share a lot of photos and videos. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Messages, and review the attachments. You can delete large threads or set messages to auto-delete after a year. Also, check “Review Large Attachments” to quickly spot the biggest files.
5. Remove Downloaded Music and Podcasts
If you use Apple Music or Podcasts, you might have a lot of downloaded content. Open the Music app, go to your Library, and delete albums or playlists you no longer need offline. Similarly, in Podcasts, go to the Downloads section and remove old episodes. Streaming is your friend when storage is tight.
6. Disable Apple Intelligence (If Possible)
Here’s the tricky part: Apple doesn’t provide a straightforward toggle to disable Apple Intelligence entirely. However, you can try turning off specific features that might reduce its storage footprint. Go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri and toggle off features like “Improve Siri & Dictation” or “Apple Intelligence Beta.” Some users report that disabling these options frees up a small amount of space, but it’s not a complete solution. Apple may also release an update that allows users in unsupported regions to remove the files, so keep an eye out.
7. Use iCloud to Offload Data
If you’re running low on local storage, consider moving some data to iCloud. You can back up photos, documents, and more. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and enable syncing for apps you want to offload. Then, you can delete local copies. Just be mindful of your iCloud storage plan – you might need to upgrade if you’re storing a lot.
8. Reset and Restore (Last Resort)
If you’re truly desperate, you can back up your iPhone to iCloud or a computer, then erase all content and settings and restore from the backup. This won’t remove Apple Intelligence files, but it can clear out other system junk. However, it’s time-consuming and not guaranteed to solve the issue. Only try this if you’ve exhausted other options.
What About EU Users and Others in Unsupported Regions?
If you’re in the EU or another region where Apple Intelligence isn’t available, you’re probably fuming that you’re losing storage for nothing. Unfortunately, there’s no official way to remove the files. Some users have reported success with workarounds like changing the region to a supported country, but that can have unintended consequences (like breaking other region-specific features). We recommend waiting for Apple to address this. In the meantime, use the storage-saving tips above to mitigate the impact.
Preventing Future Storage Issues
Once you’ve reclaimed some space, it’s wise to adopt habits that keep storage in check. Regularly review your iPhone Storage menu, delete unused apps, and stream media instead of downloading. Also, consider enabling “Offload Unused Apps” in Settings > App Store, which automatically offloads apps you don’t use frequently. And keep an eye on iOS updates – Apple might refine Apple Intelligence’s storage usage in future releases.
Final Thoughts
The iOS 27 update brought exciting AI features, but the storage cost is a real pain point. While we can’t yet remove Apple Intelligence entirely, the steps above will help you free up enough space to keep your iPhone running smoothly. Remember, you’re not alone in this – many users are facing the same issue, and Apple is likely aware. In the meantime, be proactive about managing your storage, and hopefully, a future update will give us more control.
