How to completely remove Apple Intelligence (from a MacBook Pro)

doris50 wrote:

One thing I really miss in mail is the ability to to "bounce" unsolicited/unwanted mail back to the sender - if we could still do that maybe we wouldn't get 5-10 or more of the same harrasing ads, etc. in a week.

Bouncing spam emails is generally not helpful because it can actually harm your sender reputation as it signals to email service providers that you might be a spammer, even if you're not, due to the high likelihood of invalid addresses associated with spam campaigns. And it didn't stop spam.

The reason you get more spam now is not because the useless bounce feature was removed. It's because there are more spammers sending more spam.

doris50 wrote:

I totally agree. The Apple Intelligence offer was also "placed" automatically in my system settings by Apple. I had already asked on this forum if anyone knew how to get rid of it. I had no intention of accessing it; however, it installed on the next system update. I am still upset about that and I, too, want it off my computer.

When you agree to the installation of an update to macOS, you are agreeing to all of it. Your option is to not upgrade. You can't pick and choose which things you want. Once installed, you cannot remove pieces of macOS as the OS is installed on a restricted volume.

You can look for the instructions on how to downgrade macOS (it's possible but challenging).

Or, you can just not use the feature.

I was just emailed that: "When you agree to the installation of an update to macOS, you are agreeing to all of it. (1) Your option is to not upgrade. You can't pick and choose which things you want. Once installed, you cannot remove pieces of macOS as the OS is installed on a restricted volume....(2) Or, you can just not use the feature."

As to (1), I tried that years ago with Apple and after a while my email quit working and I had to upgrade to use email.

As for (2), I haven't run across anything that tells me how to avoid using it. I already have to scan messages I create on my iPhone and in my emails for words that have been automatically changed without my knowledge or consent.

doris50 wrote:

As for (2), I haven't run across anything that tells me how to avoid using it.

It sounds as if you're asking how to turn Apple Intelligence off on your iPhone. Go to Settings>Apple Intelligence & Siri>Apple Intelligence and turn it off.

doris50 wrote:

Since Apple Intelligence can't be deleted from the computer, go to: System Settings > scroll down on left to: Apple Intelligence & Siri > click either Apple Intelligence or Siri or both to turn OFF.

But I don't want to turn it off.... Perhaps you meant to reply to someone else?

Also, if you cannot erase your browsing history in Safari because both places for deleting are grayed out after updating (must do this on your computer and also on your iPhone because they share the information) - go to: System Settings > scroll down on the left to: Screen Time > Content & Privacy (shut it OFF)

Nor do I need to do this.

doris50 wrote:

Blocking doesn't seem effective at all in getting rid of spam emails either.

No, it's not. Nothing gets rid of spam. The best you can do is have it all diverted to your spam folder so you don't need to look at it.

Until sending spam stops being a profitable way for the less than ethical to make money or steal information, it will continue.

We don't own the OS on any system we own. Apple owns MacOS. And we don't have the ability, nor right to uninstall things which are built into the OS. That's how it works with EVERY technology company. It sounds like you have more than enough available space on your Mac. I'm not sure what a few GB would do for you anyway?

mikehASC wrote:

I'm curious to know whether you speak purely on your own behalf, or whether you are speaking for Apple as a corporation.

I am, of course, quite aware that if I wish to use this rather nice piece of hardware I have to use macOS, and that to use macOS I have have to agree to the terms of the EULA without any negotiation of those terms. What I don't understand is why it is Apple's interest to antagonize a customer unnecessarily. I have other laptops on which I run Linux, which has other faults but does not force me to do anything.

I am not overly concerned about the loss of storage (which is not really significant, though it was noticeable enough to alert me to what had happened), but I do take pains in general to keep the crud on my disk to a minimum. To paraphrase an old quip, a GB here and a GB there and pretty soon we're talking real storage.

I cannot speak for Apple. I am a user, just like you are a user. And this is a user to user only forum, which Apple doesn't actively participate (except to moderate posts to the terms of use).

I don't think Apple is trying to antagonize you, but if you feel they are, you should likely share that with them here --> Feedback - macOS - Apple

And to conclude, MacOS is locked on a read only partition of the Hard Drive, where absolutely no changes are possible. Of course this is for security that prevents any modified System files that were problematic years ago, and Windows also adopted this technique to significantly reduce the viruses that have long plagued the early days of Windows. It is no longer possible to replace a system file/app with one that has altered its code for nefarious reasons and that is a good thing.

I have seen the conspiracy theories that Apple does not allow the installed apps to be removed, because Apple wants to track you. This is complete nonsense. Of course apps such as Chess are not required for the operation of the OS and it also cannot be deleted because it is part of the OS install locked on your read only partition. Luckily due to this protection, it also cannot be replaced by a fake Chess app that appears to be the same as the installed app.

Today, Jan. 15, 2025, I received a systems pop-up telling me it is time to experience the new apple personal intelligence system. I am not interested. I want to continue to rely on my own intelligence. How do I get rid of this repeatedly nagging me to update like my iPhone does about its updates.

I'm not sure you can stop these reminders. But this is a user to user only forum, so contact Apple directly to ask them. If you're in the US, you can call Apple at: 800-MY-APPLE. You can use the Support button at the bottom of this page. You can visit the Genius Bar at your Apple Store.

Never, ever reply to junk mail. It just confirms there's someone at the other end and you get moved to live lists and will get more junk. Don't ever click on unsubscribe links in junk mail because you've no idea what sort of website you'll end up at.

Who is your mail provider? Most mail services have multiple levels of junk mail filters and if yours does then try upping it a notch.

You can also create rules in Mac Mail to get rid of junk. For example I've been getting a ton of mail telling me my McAfee subscription has lapsed or that they've found a virus. I've never used McAfee so I've created a rule to delete all mails with McAfee in the subject.

You can prevent bills and genuine mails from people and organizations you know from going to your junk box by making sure their address is in Contacts and you've ticked the appropriate box in Mail/Settings/Junk Mail. You can also create rules and/or smart mailboxes to move or display emails if they are from, say family, friends, etc. Just put your family in a list in contacts and you can create a rule or smart mailbox based on that list.