Turning off built-in AI functions can free significant storage on smartphones

Disabling built-in AI features and local models on phones can reclaim several gigabytes of storage, but may limit functionality, users should weigh benefits against potential trade-offs.

Turning off some built-in AI functions can free up meaningful storage on a phone, according to a report on MakeUseOf. The point is not that the AI features themselves are always large, but that several systems also download local models, scripts and cached data to support offline use, which can occupy far more space than users expect.

That matters most on devices where AI is built into the operating system rather than added as a separate app. Tech Advisor said disabling Google’s AICore on Pixel phones can reclaim up to 7GB, because it supports local models such as Gemini Nano for features including Magic Compose and Recorder summaries. The trade-off is immediate: once the service is switched off, the phone loses access to those AI functions.

Apple users can make a similar change. Tom’s Guide explained that Apple Intelligence can be turned off from the iPhone settings menu, either in full or feature by feature. The report said this may help users who do not rely on text summaries, writing tools or other AI features, especially if storage is tight or they prefer a more minimal device setup.

Consumer Reports has also noted that AI is now spread across phones, search tools, email, messaging and laptops, which means users who want to reduce AI features often need to review several settings rather than one master switch. Android Central likewise says many Android owners can disable Google AI features app by app, while PhoneArena warned that removing AI Core may also break tools such as live captions, smart replies and image processing. In practice, the space saved may be useful, but the safest approach is to check which functions depend on the AI system before switching it off.