In context: When Apple Intelligence launched final yr with iOS 18.1, the corporate introduced a 4GB storage requirement for its AI-powered options, together with Visible Intelligence and Siri with ChatGPT integration. On the time, the requirement appeared cheap, on condition that a lot of the processing occurs domestically on the system to prioritize consumer privateness.
Quick ahead to final month’s launch of iOS 18.2and the storage necessities for Apple Intelligence have elevated to an astonishing stage. 7GB of free house per system, in response to Apple’s web site. That is virtually double the unique requirement in only a few months.
The possible purpose? All of the shiny new AI options included in iOS 18.2. These embody the customized emoji maker Genmoji, an AI picture generator known as Playground, the Visible Intelligence characteristic for figuring out objects and locations, and naturally ChatGPT for textual content composition together with a considerably smarter Siri.
These options are undoubtedly helpful for a lot of, however the 7GB storage requirement is a significant hurdle, particularly for customers who wish to allow Apple Intelligence on a number of gadgets like an iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Altogether, that provides as much as appreciable 21 GB of storage.
The irritating half is the shortage of flexibility. Customers cannot select which AI options to allow, leaving them with restricted choices: improve to a better storage tier when buying new {hardware}, pay for extra iCloud storage, or forgo Apple Intelligence altogether.
Sadly, aid doesn’t look like on the horizon. Whereas iOS 18.3 does not introduce any main new AI capabilities, Apple introduced bigger Siri updates for iOS 18.4 in April, which may additional enhance storage necessities.
Apple defends its method by emphasizing the benefits of on-device AI processing, together with quicker efficiency, improved responsiveness, and larger privateness safety in comparison with cloud-based fashions. Nevertheless, these advantages come at the price of consuming house that would in any other case retailer photographs, movies, apps, or information.
For these fighting storage limitations, Apple presents an opt-out possibility. You possibly can utterly disable Apple Intelligence by navigating to Settings > Apple Intelligence.
