RemoveMacAI Tool Lets macOS 27 Users Reclaim 12GB by Disabling Apple Intelligence

MacRumors reported that in macOS 27, simply disabling individual Apple Intelligence features does not remove the underlying models from a Mac's drive. The developer of RemoveMacAI says the tool works around this by using a configuration profile to switch off Apple's own asset management service and remove the models. After that, it configures the system so attempts to download the removed models are redirected to a closed local port, preventing them from immediately returning.

Unlike some older tools, RemoveMacAI does not disable System Integrity Protection, or SIP, and does not manually delete files from protected system locations, according to the developer's explanation. The tool can free up roughly 12GB of space, depending on which models are present on the Mac. MacRumors noted that some users have reported Apple Intelligence models taking up much more space, which they have now reclaimed.

Editor's Summary

RemoveMacAI, an open-source command-line tool, lets macOS 27 users disable Apple Intelligence and reclaim roughly 12GB or more of storage by removing its models. It uses a configuration profile and a local-port redirection to block model downloads without disabling SIP or manually deleting protected system files. Some users report reclaiming even more space, depending on which Apple Intelligence models were installed.