Apple Intelligence: Bigger Storage Requirements Ahead
Those of you who activate and run Apple Intelligence on your devices will now need a bit more space to handle the latest AI skills. In December, Apple updated its Apple Intelligence requirements page to reveal that 7 GB of storage is now required, as spotted by 9to5Mac. That’s up from the initial demand of 4GB of free space.
The Need for Additional Space
The 4GB demand was in place in September before the company had even officially rolled out iOS 18.1, the first version of iOS with Apple Intelligence. The same held true for iPadOS and MacOS Sequoia. Those versions offered only a few AI-powered tidbits, including Writing Tools, a new visual look for Siri, notification summaries, and the ability to record and view summaries of your phone calls.
What’s New in iOS 18.2
Now, with the latest updates, including ChatGPT integration, the Image Playground, Image Wand, Genmoji, and Visual Intelligence, all of which naturally take up more storage space. These features are part of iOS 18.2 (as well as iPadOS 18.2 and MacOS Sequoia 15.2).
Will 7GB be the Ultimate Amount Required?
The Apple Intelligence requirements page no longer includes a footnote telling you that storage requirements will increase as more features roll out. However, more AI-based features are in the works for iOS 18.3 and especially 18.4, due out in March. So far, the rumored features focus on Siri with such enhancements as onscreen awareness and app integration. Unless Apple has already factored in the Siri upgrades, those features could easily require more storage.
How to Free Up Storage
What can you do if your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is low on storage?
Frequent Storage-Saving Tips
- Turn off Apple Intelligence if you don’t need it
- Go to Settings on your iPhone or iPad and System Settings on your Mac
- Select Storage and let Apple offer suggestions for cleaning up your device
Conclusion
Apple Intelligence has become a significant part of our daily lives, but it requires more storage space as new features are rolled out. If you’re running low on storage, it’s essential to free up some space to accommodate the latest AI skills. You can either turn off Apple Intelligence or follow Apple’s suggestions for cleaning up your device.
FAQs
- What is Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence is a set of AI-powered features that enhance your device’s capabilities. - Why do I need more storage space for Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence requires more storage space as new features are rolled out, which can take up more space on your device. - Can I turn off Apple Intelligence?
Yes, you can turn off Apple Intelligence, but you won’t be able to access its features. - How do I free up storage space on my device?
You can free up storage space by turning off Apple Intelligence, offloading features and data, or by following Apple’s suggestions for cleaning up your device.
