I want to update my iPad M5 Pro to iPadOS 27, but I don't want Apple Intelligence taking up so much space. For example, I just updated my iPhone 17 Pro Max to iOS 27, and now there is 15 GB of Apple Intelligence taking up storage.
I haven't used Siri since the iPhone 5. I don't like it, and I don't plan on using it. I also don't want AI features being integrated into every app and every part of the operating system. If I wanted AI integrated into everything, I would use a Pixel. I prefer having the choice of which AI features I actually want to use.
Right after the OS update on my iPhone, Image Playground was installed. I immediately deleted it. Today, I restarted my phone after the indexing process finished, just to make sure everything was working properly. As the phone finished booting up, Image Playground appeared on the screen again, as if it were downloading or installing itself.
Why is this happening?
I would expect an operating system to respect an app that I have manually deleted. If I remove an app because I don't want it, I don't understand why it would appear again after an update or restart.
It also makes me wonder whether Apple is moving toward a model where more apps, advertisements, and services are being pushed onto the device whether users want them or not.
Apple has already introduced advertising in Maps. I'm concerned that this could become more common throughout the operating system over time. YouTube is another example of how advertising can gradually become more intrusive. I understand that companies need to generate revenue to pay for infrastructure and services, but I think there should be reasonable limits.
And to be clear, I am NOT against AI.
I use AI every day. I even built my own personal AI server so I can experiment with and learn about AI. I've also been using Alexa devices and Alexa-enabled devices since they first came out. I design some of my own smart devices when there isn't a standard off-the-shelf product that does what I need.
I also own a Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and a Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, so I am familiar with Google's approach to integrating AI into its devices.
This also isn't about storage space. I have a 1 TB Galaxy S26 Ultra, a 1 TB iPhone 17 Pro Max, two 13-inch iPad M4 Pros, and a 13-inch iPad M5 Pro. I also own an iPhone 17 Air, three iPhone 16 Pro Max phones, a Galaxy S24 Ultra, a Galaxy S25 Ultra, a Galaxy S25+, and several other devices.
I also have my own server where I keep all my photos. Whenever I take a photo, I manually upload it to the appropriate folder, organize it, and delete it from the device. I stream my music, photos, and videos directly from my server, so I don't keep much content stored locally on my devices.
So no, this isn't about me running out of storage. I have more than enough devices and storage.
My issue is choice.
If I don't want Siri, I should be able to disable it. If I don't want Apple Intelligence, I should be able to choose not to download or install its components. If I delete an app such as Image Playground, I shouldn't have to worry about it appearing again after a restart or software update.
I bought the device, and I believe I should have control over what gets installed on it.
I'm also including a screenshot I found on Reddit showing the storage being used by Apple Intelligence. The screenshot is not mine; I found it on Reddit and am including it only as an example of what I'm referring to.
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