RemoveMacAI: Turn Off Apple Intelligence on macOS 27

RemoveMacAI is a free, open-source tool that turns off Apple Intelligence on macOS 27 and deletes the downloaded AI models, which its developer says frees about 12 GB. It works, according to its documentation and early coverage, but it’s an unofficial tool making system-level changes, so it’s worth knowing Apple’s own settings first and running it carefully.

Why people want to remove Apple Intelligence on macOS 27

Two reasons come up again and again: storage and choice.

On storage, 9to5Mac reports that Apple Intelligence used up to 7 GB on macOS 26, while Apple says its newer models on macOS 27 can need up to 14 GB on recent Macs. On a 256 GB MacBook, that’s a real chunk of space. And as Ars Technica pointed out (via Daring Fireball), macOS 27 doesn’t have a single toggle to switch Apple Intelligence off.

On choice, some people simply don’t want AI features on their work machine, and some schools and workplaces have policies against them. John Gruber noted that institutions with anti-AI rules may hold back macOS 27 unless the features can be removed.

Try Apple’s built-in settings first

Before installing anything, see whether Apple’s own controls are enough for you. They’re officially supported and fully reversible. Based on published how-to coverage of macOS 27:

1. Open System Settings and go to the Apple Intelligence settings. In macOS 27 the old master switch is gone, so turn off each feature you don’t want in the list of capabilities.
2. For notification summaries, go to System Settings > Notifications.
3. In Messages > Settings, turn off message summaries.
4. In Mail > Settings, turn off message preview summaries and smart reply personalization.
5. To limit Siri, go to System Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy and change the Siri setting.

The limitation: none of this deletes the models already on your disk. macOS may clear some files over time on its own schedule, but that isn’t guaranteed. Apple does offer stronger restriction keys, but only for Macs managed by an IT department (supervised and enrolled devices), not a regular personal Mac.

What RemoveMacAI actually does

Based on the official GitHub README and coverage from 9to5Mac and Help Net Security, RemoveMacAI:

• Turns off Siri, Writing Tools, Genmoji, Image Playground, the ChatGPT extension, summaries in Mail, Messages, Safari, Notes and notifications, inline predictions, Spatial Photos, Photos Clean Up and Xcode code completion. You can keep features you like with a --keep option.
• Deletes the models through Apple’s own asset service rather than ripping files out by hand.
• Blocks re-downloads using a configuration profile you approve yourself in System Settings. The profile uses Apple’s restriction keys and points model downloads at a closed local port.
• Leaves SIP on and doesn’t modify anything under /System.
• Keeps a change journal so removemacai revert (or “Undo Everything” in the app) can restore your old settings.

The project has grown beyond AI: the current version also offers privacy and “annoyance” tweaks and storage cleanup (old installers, caches, optional apps like GarageBand). Each of those is optional and shown before it’s applied. If you only want the AI part, stick to the AI commands.

What stops working: third-party apps that use Apple’s on-device Foundation Models, the “Use Model” action in Shortcuts, Visual Intelligence and natural-language editing in Calendar. What still works: Dictation, which uses separate speech models. You may also still see a process named “Siri” running; in macOS 27 the Spotlight window runs under that name.

How to run it safely (if you decide to)

Third-party scripts that change system settings deserve care. Here’s the cautious route:

1. Back up first. Run a Time Machine backup. Note the README says its cleanup can delete local Time Machine snapshots, so don’t rely on those.
2. Use the official source only: github.com/omlahore/RemoveMacAI, or the developer’s Homebrew tap listed there. Ignore re-uploads, “pro versions” and download sites.
3. Read before you pipe. The quick install pipes a script from the internet straight into your shell. Open the install script on GitHub and read it first, or use Homebrew.
4. Do a dry run. The --dry-run flag shows exactly what would change without changing anything.
5. Approve the profile yourself in System Settings, and only after you understand what it does.
6. Expect a warning. The app isn’t notarized by Apple, so macOS will warn you on first launch.
7. Check after updates. The developer says some settings may reset after macOS updates, and on macOS 27.0.1 you need version 0.2.3 or later.

Don’t run it on a work-managed Mac without your IT team’s OK. Even Gruber said he wouldn’t run it on a production machine. And there’s a long-term risk 9to5Mac flagged: Apple could change the mechanisms this relies on in a future update.

FAQ

Can you fully turn off Apple Intelligence in macOS 27?

Not with one switch. You can turn features off individually in System Settings, but the models stay on disk. Tools like RemoveMacAI go further by deleting them.

Is RemoveMacAI safe?

It’s open source under the MIT licence, says it makes no network requests and collects no data, and doesn’t disable SIP. Those are good signs, but its claims haven’t been independently audited. Back up and use the dry run first.

How do I get Apple Intelligence back?

Run removemacai revert or use “Undo Everything” in the app. macOS re-downloads the models when a feature needs them.

Does it work on Intel Macs or macOS 26?

No. It requires an Apple silicon Mac running macOS 27.

Need more space on your phone too? Try our 5-minute storage cleanup. Thinking about AI and your accounts? Read 6 rules for using AI agents safely and why passkeys are worth turning on. More reviews in Tools.

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Sources: RemoveMacAI on GitHub · 9to5Mac · Help Net Security · Daring Fireball · Gadget Hacks. This article was prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by Media Station. Disclosure.