How to delete AI data on Mac and reclaim gigabytes of storage

If knowing how to delete AI data on a Mac is top of your research list, let me save you some time. After I checked my storage, I found Apple Intelligence and some mysterious system files, nearly taking up 14 GB of precious space.

If you’ve got Apple Intelligence set up and running on your Mac, then your OS is downloading AI models automatically, most likely without you ever realizing. Thankfully, it isn’t that tricky to clean up and sort out. I’ve got a ton of tips here for every type of user.

How much space does AI data take up on a Mac?

There isn’t a person on this planet who isn't talking about AI right now, so maybe it shouldn’t come as a total surprise to Mac users that Apple Intelligence is storing data and info on your device.

In order for AI features to run locally on your Mac, your OS needs to download on-device language models. What I did uncover was that these are most often stored under GenerativeModels, along with visual processing models, also Siri voice assets, and cached inference data. These usually sit in system-level locations such as /System/Volumes/Data/System/Library/AssetsV2/, which is why they are not easy to find in Finder.

On most MacBooks, this kind of AI-related data is taking up around 7-10 GB of space, but I’ve seen a few threads online where users are saying this is much higher, and that can be down to anything from multiple languages being used, even enhanced Siri voices, or accessibility features that basically need extra model files.

The confusing part for me was that my macOS doesn’t label all of this clearly. Instead, it just appears bundled under System Data or macOS in your Mac’s storage overview (System Settings > General > Storage)

But there’s a silver lining in all of this: all of these model files are not the same as personal documents, your photos, or even settings. So, if you decide to remove them, it’s no issue, your Mac can just download them again at a later point.

So, with that in mind, let’s look at how to delete AI data on a Mac.

How to delete AI data on a MacBook safely

This method is probably going to be enough to help about 90% of users, but it’s only going to work on machines running macOS Sequoia 15 and later, including Tahoe 26 and Golden Gate 27 beta. On older macOS, of course, Apple Intelligence doesn't exist.

1. Open up your System Settings from your main Apple menu > Apple Intelligence & Siri.

2. Turn off Apple Intelligence. Confirm when prompted.

3. Restart your Mac properly from your main Mac menu.

4. You’ll have to wait now to see the change in your storage overview. Because your macOS will delete AI models and background processes gradually, that can take anywhere between a few hours and a day. 

5. When you’re ready, you can compare your storage overview again.

If, after 24 hours, you don’t see any storage change, then head to the section below.

Deeper cleanup for power users

So, if you found that simply disabling Apple Intelligence didn’t really help to claw back space, you can go a bit deeper by checking the model folders manually. You should only really do this if you’re comfortable poking around in Library folders, and of course, after you’ve disabled Apple Intelligence first.

Open up Finder > Go > Go to Folder, and paste in the paths below. (You can also use Terminal with du -sh [path] to check the folder size before touching anything.

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.apple.UniversalAccess/ (This contains accessibility-related AI models).

• /System/Volumes/Data/System/Library/AssetsV2/com_apple_MobileAsset_UAF_FM_GenerativeModels  (main language models sit here.)

• /System/Volumes/Data/System/Library/AssetsV2/com_apple_MobileAsset_UAF_FM_Visual (visual AI models).

The system-level AssetsV2 folders are probably protected by SIP, so don’t be alarmed if Finder says operation not permitted. What I would caution here is don’t disable SIP just to force deletion unless you fully, really understand the risks.

For user-level caches and support files that Apple Intelligence leaves behind in your Library folders, I can highly recommend the Cleanup feature from CleanMyMac, and that’s honestly because you don’t need to use any Terminal commands or that manual folder navigation.

If you’re still struggling, you might opt for a Factory reset, but I feel like I should say that really should only be a last resort because it’ll wipe everything and reinstall your macOS.

How to prevent AI storage buildup

If you don’t use Apple Intelligence, then keep it turned off. But if you do use it, then you might just have to face up to the fact that it will eat some GB’s. In that case, try to keep your machine as clutter-free as possible to make room for it.

Also, after any major macOS update (especially Tahoe or Golden Gate), you’ll need to keep an eye on your storage, because it can cause AI models to re-download. I’d actually run the Smart Care feature from CleanMyMac once a month to catch and remove any bloat that’s built up, so you’ve got time to remove it before it causes space issues.  If you haven’t already, you can test it out for seven days free — get your free trial here.

I’d also suggest disabling features you do not need. For instance, turn off Siri, Writing Tools, Image Playground, or notification summaries, depending on what you use.