TL;DR
RemoveMacAI is an open-source tool for Apple silicon Macs running macOS 27 that disables Apple Intelligence features and removes their downloaded models. Its developer says the changes can be reversed, but deleted files may remain in Storage totals until macOS removes them on its own schedule.
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The open-source RemoveMacAI utility gives Apple silicon Mac users running macOS 27 a way to disable Apple Intelligence features and remove the models they download. Its developer says the changes are reversible, but model files may remain counted in Storage settings until macOS deletes them on its own schedule.
The project’s GitHub documentation says macOS 27 no longer offers a single switch to turn off Apple Intelligence, and that downloaded models can stay on disk after individual features are disabled. RemoveMacAI applies configuration changes, removes the associated models through Apple’s asset service and blocks macOS from downloading those models again. The developer says the tool does not modify files under /System and leaves System Integrity Protection enabled.
The tool can disable Siri and related features, including Writing Tools, Genmoji, Image Playground, the ChatGPT extension, summaries in several apps and notifications, Mail smart replies, inline text predictions, Spatial Photos, Photos Clean Up and Xcode predictive code completion. The project says it removes Apple Intelligence foundation models and models for image generation, Genmoji, Spatial Photos, Photos Clean Up and Xcode completion. Users can check feature status and model sizes, preview changes with a dry run, or keep selected features enabled.
According to the project, RemoveMacAI asks users to confirm changes and opens System Settings so they can approve its configuration profile. The profile uses Apple restriction settings where available and sets other feature controls directly. Its download block redirects requests for removed models to a closed local port. The developer says the profile persists through macOS updates, and removing it restores the previous settings. The project also says it makes no network requests and collects no data.
What Mac Users Give Up
Removing the models could free storage used by Apple Intelligence, which matters to people with limited disk capacity or those who do not use the features. The tool also offers one place to disable a broad set of functions rather than changing them individually. However, the project warns that this affects more than visible Apple Intelligence tools: apps that use Apple’s Foundation Models framework and Shortcuts’ Use Model action stop working, along with Visual Intelligence and natural-language editing in Calendar.
This is a third-party workaround, not an Apple-provided control. Users must decide whether the storage and feature changes are worth installing and approving a configuration profile. The project says the process can be undone, but the practical effect is to prevent affected features and apps from accessing Apple’s on-device models while the profile remains in place.
How the Profile Controls Downloads
RemoveMacAI says it is intended for Apple silicon Macs on macOS 27 and is not supported on macOS 26 or earlier. The project lists testing on macOS 27.0 and says users on macOS 27.0.1 should use release 0.2.3 or later. Its documentation credits another project, pared, by 4evy, with earlier work mapping Apple’s asset service, model sets and settings keys.
The tool is distributed through the project’s installer or a Homebrew tap. The developer says the installer downloads the latest release, checks its SHA-256 checksum and runs it from a temporary directory rather than installing the program. GitHub Actions builds releases from their tags, and the project says releases carry build provenance attestations. These are claims in the project documentation; Apple has not provided a statement in the supplied material.
Some parts of macOS may still appear unchanged after the models are removed. The project says Storage settings can continue listing Apple Intelligence because the asset service releases the models immediately, while macOS deletes the files later. It also notes that a process named Siri may remain visible because the Spotlight window runs under that name in macOS 27, and some system services remain loaded.
“All changes can be reverted.”
— RemoveMacAI project documentation
Storage Totals May Lag
The source material does not give a measured amount of disk space the tool frees, or a time frame for when macOS removes released files and updates its Storage display. The actual reclaimed space will depend on which models are present and when the operating system completes deletion. The developer’s security and behavior descriptions are project claims; the supplied material contains no independent testing or response from Apple.
It is also not clear from the documentation how every macOS 27 point release will behave beyond the stated testing and version guidance. Users should check the project’s current release notes for compatibility before applying changes. Dictation is listed as unaffected because it has a separate setting and its speech models are not removed, but other app behaviors may depend on the features being disabled.
Check Release and Reversal Options
Users considering the tool should confirm their macOS version and processor type, review the project’s instructions and use its status or dry-run options before applying changes. RemoveMacAI says users must approve its configuration profile in System Settings. To undo the changes, its documentation directs users to run removemacai revert; those who installed through Homebrew can then uninstall the package.
The next visible change may not be an immediate drop in the Storage total. The project says macOS controls when released model files are deleted, while its download block remains active until the profile is removed. Any broader assessment of compatibility or reclaimed space will depend on user testing across macOS 27 releases and updates to the tool.
Key Questions
Does RemoveMacAI work on every Mac?
No. The project lists Apple silicon Macs running macOS 27 as supported and says macOS 26 and earlier are not supported.
Will Storage settings show the space as free right away?
Not necessarily. The project says Apple’s asset service releases the models, but macOS deletes the files on its own schedule. Storage settings may continue counting them as Apple Intelligence in the meantime.
Will dictation still work?
According to the project, yes. Dictation is a separate setting, and RemoveMacAI does not remove its speech models.
What features or apps could stop working?
The listed Apple Intelligence features are disabled. The project also warns that apps using Apple’s Foundation Models framework, the Use Model action in Shortcuts, Visual Intelligence and Calendar’s natural-language editing will stop working.
Can the changes be reversed?
The project says they can. Its instructions use the removemacai revert command to undo changes and remove the configuration profile.
Source: hn