Level 1

28 points

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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Dcjsimons01

Level 1

50 points

Posted on Jan 28, 2025 6:38 AM

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.

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ebertsj Author

Level 1

28 points

Jan 18, 2025 9:26 AM in response to lobsterghost1

I have for more than a decade bought Apple devices…phones, iPads, MacBooks, etc. and because I am NOT a person who uses or needs maxed out or even higher storage or RAM, have NEVER bought a higher amount and have done fine (admittedly, have typically ended up trading in for newer one every 3-4 years). Sorry, and thanks for your POV, but am ****** when as you rightly point out, minimum storage for iPads and iPhones will be 128, if I will upgrade to the next level, or 256. It is one thing to provide value added apps, and even an ever more bloated OS, quite another to “force” what could or maybe should be optional stuff so we then have to spend even more on storage or RAM…IMHO.

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.

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

28 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!

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

28 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

Feb 17, 2025 1:47 PM in response to ebertsj

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

Feb 17, 2025 7:36 PM in response to lobsterghost1

So if I changed the language of Siri and language, I assume it would prevent the download of Apple Intelligence?

just don't extra storage since I am giving mine away.

stamtux

Level 1

8 points

Mar 21, 2025 2:12 AM in response to lobsterghost1

Its currency holding a size of 6.04GB on my ipad. It IS ridiculous that we don’t have a say in whether it can be removed or not, irrespective of the already bloated base models.

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

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