Apple Intelligence Taking up 30GB+ on Some Macs Running macOS 27

After you install macOS 27 Golden Gate, Apple automatically downloads a multi-gigabyte AI model to your Mac the next time it's connected to the internet. Unlike previous versions of macOS, you can't prevent it. Siri AI, and by extension Apple Intelligence, are now a mandatory part of your system. For macOS 27 Golden Gate, Apple says the latest Apple Intelligence features require up to 14GB of on-device storage on Macs with an M3 chip or later and at least 12GB of unified memory, and up to 8GB of storage for other Apple Intelligence-enabled Macs. But in our experience, AI model storage allocation appears to be considerably higher on some Macs than others. On an M4 Pro Mac mini running macOS 27, for example, MacRumors saw 20.67GB handed over for Apple Intelligence. ArsTechnica recorded an even higher figure of 22.42GB on an M3 MacBook Air after a fresh installation of macOS 27.0 beta 7. Both of these systems will be using Apple's AFM 3 Core Advanced on-device model, which requires an M3-or-newer Mac with 12GB or more of RAM. This doesn't explain why Macs that don't meet the minimum requirements for Apple's most advanced model are still losing unusually large amounts of storage to Apple Intelligence. ArsTechnica reported the same screen showed around 14GB on an M1 MacBook Air and a MacBook Neo, and yet both of these models fall into a category for which Apple lists a requirement of up to 8GB. Other Mac users have posted similar higher-than-expected readings. For example, one Reddit user shared a screenshot from the macOS 27 Release Candidate showing Apple Intelligence gobbled up 30.16GB on their machine. Another user quoted 24.35GB for Apple Intelligence after installing macOS 27 on a MacBook Pro with M3 Pro chip. Device Apple Intelligence storage iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone Duo Up to 14GB iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air Up to 14GB Other compatible iPhones: iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, all iPhone 16 models, iPhone 17, and iPhone 17e Up to 8GB iPad with M4 or later and at least 12GB of unified memory; Mac with M3 or later and at least 12GB of unified memory; Apple Vision Pro (M5) Up to 14GB Other compatible iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro models Up to 8GB Compatible Apple Watch models Up to 1.5GB on the watch iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, iPhone 14 and earlier, and iPhone SE Not supported Figures taken from Apple's support documentApple's support document does not explain whether its "up to 14GB" requirement is directly comparable with the Apple Intelligence "Storage" category in System Settings, or why some Macs display substantially higher numbers. For what it's worth, we haven't seen the same ballooning figures on iPhones and iPads running iOS 27 and iPadOS 27. It's not just academic, either. While using Apple Intelligence is optional, downloading its on-device models is not. Apple removed the toggle to disable Apple Intelligence, so users must set aside space for Apple's on-device models. In an era where memory and storage costs are rising because of AI, the irony of the situation is not lost, but it doesn't make it any less frustrating. If you're on a Mac, you can check your own reading in System Settings ➝ General ➝ Storage by clicking the information button beside macOS. Let us know your findings in the comments. Popular StoriesiOS 27.2 Beta Previews New Apple Intelligence Health AppWednesday September 16, 2026 10:32 am PDT by Juli CloverThe first beta of iOS 27.2 includes Apple's redesigned Health app, giving developers a chance to try out the features ahead of launch later this year. Apple's developer notes for the feature say the Health app is being tested in this beta, but it won't be in the launch version of iOS 27.2. It will instead come later in the year. The Health app will incorporate Apple Intelligence to turn...Three All-New 'Audio Intelligence' Features Arrive With Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4Apple today announced "Audio Intelligence," a new suite of Apple Intelligence-powered features for the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 that use the built-in microphone to help users catch missed moments in conversation and stay aware of important sounds. The Apple Watch's Audio Intelligence comprises four features: Siri Recap: Uses ambient listening to generate high-level...Siri AI Settlement Website Now Live: Apple to Pay Some iPhone OwnersSunday September 20, 2026 7:24 pm PDT by Joe RossignolIn May, Apple agreed to pay $250 million to settle a U.S. class action lawsuit over Siri AI's delayed launch, and the settlement website is now live. Apple will pay an estimated $25 per eligible iPhone to eligible customers, who can submit a claim via the settlement website between September 21 and December 21 of this year. The exact payment may be higher or lower than $25 depending on the...