Apple Intelligence, the tech giant’s venture into on-device artificial intelligence, is making headlines again, but perhaps not in the way Apple intended. While the promise of smarter devices was initially exciting, a less welcome development is now coming to light: Apple Intelligence is quietly consuming significantly more storage space on your iPhone or Mac. This article delves into the growing footprint of Apple Intelligence and what it means for you.

Table of contents
The Growing Footprint of Apple Intelligence
Since its initial launch in September 2024, Apple Intelligence has nearly doubled its storage demands. Originally requiring a modest 4GB of free space, this has jumped to a hefty 7GB just four months later. This increase was observed with the rollout of iOS 18.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.2 in early December, updates that brought new Apple Intelligence capabilities to compatible devices.
This sudden growth raises questions about the long-term implications for users, especially those with devices that have limited storage capacity. It highlights a trade-off between cutting-edge AI features and the precious gigabytes on our phones and computers.
New Features, Bigger Storage Needs
The December update that saw Apple Intelligence’s storage demands surge introduced two key generative AI features: Image Playground and Genmoji. Image Playground allows users to create images based on text prompts, while Genmoji lets you craft personalized emojis. These are the features contributing to the expanded storage requirements.
As Apple continues to develop and integrate more AI functionalities, we can anticipate this storage trend to continue. Every new feature likely translates to an even larger footprint on your device.

Why Does Apple Intelligence Need So Much Space?
The primary reason behind Apple Intelligence’s significant storage appetite lies in its approach to processing. Unlike cloud-based AI, Apple AI performs its computations directly on your device. This “on-device processing” offers potential privacy benefits, as your data isn’t constantly being sent to external servers.
However, this privacy comes at a cost. To function without relying on constant internet connectivity, the complex AI models that power Apple Intelligence’s features need to be stored locally on your device. This is why only Apple’s newer chips – the M1, A17, and their successors are capable of running it. While older chips might possess the processing power, Apple prioritizes a smooth and efficient experience, necessitating these more advanced processors to handle the on-device AI workload.
Is Apple Intelligence Worth the Storage Cost?
The increasing storage demands of Apple Intelligence bring up a crucial question for users: is it worth it? While the idea of having powerful AI features readily available on your device is appealing, the reality for many users seems to be falling short of expectations.
A recent survey indicated that a significant majority of iPhone owners – a staggering 73% – who have used it find that it adds “little to no value” to their daily phone usage. This raises concerns about the value proposition of these features, especially considering their growing impact on storage space.
Early feedback suggests that some core functionalities, like summarizing texts and notifications, haven’t been particularly effective. If the primary benefit of Apple Intelligence currently is providing inaccurate summaries while simultaneously consuming a larger chunk of your storage, it’s understandable why many users are skeptical.
The Future of Apple AI and Your Storage
Apple has ambitious plans for the future of Apple AI. A significant AI overhaul for Siri is on the horizon, and we can expect further integration of AI across Apple’s operating systems in future updates. This likely means that the storage footprint of Apple Intelligence will continue to expand.
Users are already reporting increased battery drain associated with Apple Intelligence operations, adding another layer of concern to the equation. As Apple continues to push forward with its AI ambitions, it remains to be seen if the benefits will outweigh the drawbacks for the average user. Will the new features be compelling enough to justify the increasing storage consumption and potential performance impacts?
Managing Your Device
For now, users are faced with the reality of Apple AI steadily occupying more of their device’s storage. If you’re finding your storage space dwindling, it might be worth reviewing your usage of Apple Intelligence features and considering if their benefits justify the cost.
Ultimately, the success of Apple Intelligence will depend on its ability to provide genuinely useful and engaging features that users find valuable. Until then, the ever-growing storage demands of Apple Intelligence remain a significant point of consideration for Apple users.
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