Apple has added artificial intelligence features throughout macOS, but not everyone wants these tools running automatically. Some users prefer using AI only when needed, through apps, websites, or browsers such as ChatGPT Atlas. macOS gives you full control, allowing you to disable Apple Intelligence completely or limit how it interacts with apps and services.
How to turn off Apple Intelligence completely
If you want to disable all Apple Intelligence features across your Mac, follow these steps:
- Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner.
- Select Apple Intelligence & Siri from the left sidebar.
- Toggle off Apple Intelligence at the top of the screen.
- Confirm your choice by selecting Turn Off Apple Intelligence. This disables AI features system-wide and removes them from Siri without affecting normal macOS functions.
How to stop apps from sending data to Apple Intelligence
If you prefer to keep Apple Intelligence enabled but want to prevent certain apps from contributing behavior data, you can manage permissions individually.
- Open System Settings from the Apple menu.
- Select Apple Intelligence & Siri, then scroll to the Siri section and choose Siri Suggestions & Privacy.
- Review the list of apps and turn off Learn from this application for any app you want to exclude.
- Select Done to save your preferences.
How to disable ChatGPT integration in Apple Intelligence
macOS can use ChatGPT for tasks such as writing, generating images, or answering questions. If you do not want Apple Intelligence to connect with ChatGPT, you can turn it off.
- Go to System Settings from the Apple menu.
- Open Apple Intelligence & Siri, scroll to the Siri section, and choose ChatGPT under Extensions.
- Toggle off Use ChatGPT. You can enable it again anytime by selecting Set Up.
How to turn off Apple Intelligence email summaries
The Mail app uses AI to summarize message previews, but this can be disabled easily.
- Open the Mail app and select Mail from the menu bar.
- Choose Settings, go to the Viewing tab, and untick Summarize Message Previews.
