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How do I delete Apple Intelligence from iPad Air 5 to free up storage?

I have an iPad Air 5 with limited memory (64 GB). Until recent update with AI, I had managed to keep my storage below 50%. A large chunk of this due to aggressively leaving a number of apps only in iCloud. But now, from what I have read, Apple Intelligence adds yet another 7GB to already bloated required storage for iPad OS and related data of 32gb (i.e. 50% of total storage).

Is there any way to delete (vs. simply turning off which have already done) this for me useless “app”. At some point maybe 2 years from now when I refresh and end up getting forced 128 gb can start using…

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPad Air, iPadOS 18

Posted on Jan 4, 2025 8:06 AM

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lobsterghost1

Community+ 2025

Level 10

180,683 points

Posted on Jan 4, 2025 8:42 AM

No, it can't be removed. It is built into iPadOS, iOS and MacOS. I don't know where you read that Apple Intelligence takes up 7GB of memory? Don't believe everything you read or you'll wind up believing the earth if flat. Apple Intelligence does not use up 7GB of storage on your device. It requires a device which has 8GB of RAM, which your Air 5 has. And while using Apple Intelligence it will use more RAM, but that in itself is only while being used. I saw absolutely no appreciable increase in memory taken when I added Apple Intelligence to my iPhone, iPad Pro or MacBook Pro.

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32 replies

Jan 18, 2025 9:50 AM in response to ebertsj

No one is forcing you to do anything. Technology advances faster than hardware does. That's never going to change. What was just fine a year or two ago, may not be fine now or in the future. One way to help yourself to somewhat future proof is to buy the most memory you can afford.

ebertsj Author

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36 points

Jan 28, 2025 5:39 AM in response to Dcjsimons01

And yet have been chided for being cheap and not buying, what, ANOTHER, $100 worth of storage on an already highly priced thing when based on my normal usage I don’t ever go over 50% because Apple decides I simply MUST have their latest great stuff? So, far, and ZETO slam in Apple (as am and remain a HUGE fan), but the AI I see demonstrated all over is HARDLY worth spending a dime on..,

Jan 28, 2025 6:38 AM in response to ebertsj

I think, as an ex software engineering and product manager, it is a mistake not to provide a means for Apple Intelligence to be easily uninstalled. Especially when it takes up such a significant amount of storage. Seems to be unreasonable to expect someone to reset their iPad and setup from a backup to do it.

And, although an Apple fan, think Apple’s incremental pricing on storage is ludicrous. At least they are now defaulting to 128GB on latest phones and tablets.

Feb 17, 2025 2:03 PM in response to Hubert001

Hubert001 wrote:

hi, does this automatically download when you update the iPadOS, or you have to download it?

Assuming you have an eligible iPad, when you update to iOS 18.3.1, Apple Intelligence will be automatically installed and turned on. Again, this presumes your have a device which can run Apple Intelligence, you're not in the EU or China, your device wasn't manufactured for the China Market and you have set the language AND Siri language to a supported language for Apple Intelligence.

If it is turned on and you don't want to use it, simply turn it off.

Feb 17, 2025 2:13 PM in response to Hubert001

I think the behaviour has changed with 18.3. With earlier versions you had to go into settings turn it on and then it would download. I read somewhere that changed with 18.3 and it now downloads automatically as long as your device is compatible.

Mar 4, 2025 5:14 PM in response to super_metallic

super_metallic wrote:

Man are you okay.

Go look in storage section, Apple intelligence takes up to 7 GB+ space in memory even if you reset device!

currently there is no option to delete all the messy models even after turning off apple intelligence turns off.

I'm fine, thanks for asking! I don't know what your point is, however? I'm not in the least concerned about how much space Apple Intelligence uses. I make sure I buy my devices with more memory than I need to begin with. My iPhone and iPad Pro are 512GB. My MacBook Pro is 1TB. Is there a point to your post?

Mar 18, 2025 11:00 PM in response to lobsterghost1

So should I have apple intelligence on or off on my iPad Air m3 worried about how much ram it consumes in background/idle does having it toggled on effect overall performance say gaming for example vs off.

Mar 18, 2025 11:01 PM in response to lobsterghost1

ebertsj Author

Level 1

36 points

Apr 10, 2025 4:04 AM in response to kingshuk_biswas

Thanks, makes sense. I finally ditched my iPad Air due to truly bad battery life, went back to plain old iPad…so, no more AI…and getting by fine without it and my measly 64 GB storage. But, again, thanks!

meste

Level 1

28 points

Apr 17, 2025 10:22 PM in response to ebertsj

I have an ipad with 64gb space, using 6.6gb for Apple Intelligence which I do not use is a waist of time for me and I expect Apple to let us delete it after we disable Apple Intelligence in the settings whic I did. Please Apple, i know you prefer us to buy devices with max storage but you sold one with only 64 and I need all I can get from that.

Jan 4, 2025 12:03 PM in response to lobsterghost1

ebertsj is talking about storage. According to Apple, Apple Intelligence requires 7 GB of storage. How to get Apple Intelligence - Apple Support

ebertsj Author

Level 1

36 points

Jan 4, 2025 12:28 PM in response to ifbenthen

Oops...good catch...storage, NOT RAM...

Jan 21, 2025 7:01 PM in response to lobsterghost1

I have it turned off and it device storage/ iOS there is an indicator of downloaded data of 5.5 GB on iPhone 15 pro

ebertsj Author

Level 1

36 points

Jan 28, 2025 7:18 AM in response to jtcurrie

Have turned it off…now stands at 6gb…making overall os load 17 gb. And I was, ahem, “cheap” when I got “only” 64 gb…when my actual NON system usage historically has run MAYBE 15-20 GB…

Ankit_98

Level 1

8 points

Feb 4, 2025 9:27 AM in response to Dcjsimons01

Mine is 5.55gb I want to downgrade this

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How do I delete Apple Intelligence from iPad Air 5 to free up storage?