Is it safe to delete Apple Intelligence models?
The on-device language and image models that Apple Intelligence features use.
Managed by macOS
macOS manages it. It's never moved to the Trash.
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What it is
On Macs that support Apple Intelligence, macOS downloads its models and keeps them in protected folders in /System/Library/AssetsV2. Apple says Apple Intelligence needs up to 8 GB of storage, or up to 14 GB on some newer Macs. Storage settings count this space under macOS, and only macOS can change these folders.
If it's removed
With Apple Intelligence turned off, features such as Writing Tools aren't available until you turn it on again and the models download.
What to do instead
There's no supported way to delete the models directly. If you don't use Apple Intelligence, you can turn it off in System Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri. macOS manages the models after that, and the space may not come back right away.
The free analyzer finds it and explains it. The app never removes it.
Sources
- support.apple.com/en-us/121115
- eclecticlight.co/2025/07/09/cryptexes-ai-and-creedence-clearwater-revival
- github.com/tejyash/delete-apple-intelligence-macos
- discussions.apple.com/thread/255927866
Last checked on 26 Sep 2026. Every entry is written and checked by hand; the app and the command-line tool use the same words.