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Apple Just Changed a Key Setting On Your iPhone. Here’s Why You Should Change It Back

iOS 18.3 is out now.

iPhone 16 Pro running iOS 18.3Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol

By Tucker Bowe

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Apple rolled out iOS 18.3 this week, delivering several key new Apple Intelligence features to all compatible iPhones. Chief among them are new Visual Intelligence features, which use Apple’s AI to tell you about the world around you.

For example, if you have an iPhone 16, you can use its camera and Camera Control button to identify specific plants, animals, and insects. You can also use the same method for event flyers and posters, which will automatically add those events to your iPhone’s Calendar app.

(Note: only iPhone 16 models — not the iPhone 15 Pro/Max — support Visual Intelligence features, as the iPhone needs to have the new Camera Control button.)

iPhone 16 Pro running iOS 18.3
iOS 18.3 is out now and turns on Apple Intelligence by default.
Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol

A new default setting

But iOS 18.3 also changed an iPhone setting. In the past, iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro/Max owners have had to manually turn on Apple Intelligence if they wanted to access those features. But with iOS 18.3, it turns Apple Intelligence on by default.

This means that if you have one of the newest iPhones (or last year’s Pros) and you download the latest software, 7GB of data — the amount needed to support all Apple Intelligence’s various features — will eat into your iPhone’s storage.

Additionally, Apple Intelligence will take up 7GB of storage on any device that it’s turned on for, such as a compatible iPad (with A17 Pro or M1 chips and later) or Mac (M1 chip or later). So, if you have one of those devices and don’t use any Apple Intelligence features, there’s a real case for turning it off.

Admittedly, if you have one of the newest iPhones, you’re probably not worried about storage (at least, not just yet). But it’s a little annoying — especially if you don’t use any Apple Intelligence features (and there’s a good chance you’re not).

iPhone 16 Pro running iOS 18.3Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol

How to turn off Apple Intelligence

The good news is that you can quickly and easily turn off Apple Intelligence and take back the 7GB of storage that it eats. Here’s how:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and select Apple Intelligence & Siri.
  3. Toggle off Apple Intelligence.
  4. Confirm “Turn Off Apple Intelligence” when prompted.

With Apple Intelligence turned off, it disables all Apple Intelligence features, including its advanced writing and photo editing tools, Notification Summaries, and Type to Siri.

Reminder: Only the newest iPhones, specifically all iPhone 16 models and the iPhone 15 Pro/Max support Apple Intelligence.

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