iOS 18.2 now requires 7GB of free storage to use Apple Intelligence features like Siri, Genmoji, and Writing Tools.
Apple Intelligence features process data on-device, demanding significant storage space to run advanced AI models.
iOS 18.4 may further increase storage requirements with a major Siri AI overhaul, making higher storage models more desirable.
Without a doubt, Apple Intelligence features have garnered attention this fall. As Apple is integrating new AI features into iPhones, the demand for storage space is increasing. According to Apple, users who want to use the new Apple Intelligence features including the ChatGPT-powered Siri, Genomoji, and Writing Tools, must have at least 7GB available.
SurveyThis follows the company’s announcement on its support page that a device running iOS 18.2 will require at least 7GB of free storage in order to activate the Apple Intelligence features and run it smoothly. Interestingly, the initial requirement was 4GB.
However, with the iOS 18.2 update, Apple has added a slew of new features, including Visual Intelligence and Image Playground, which run directly on the devices to ensure data processing and privacy, increasing space requirements. It is because users will need to download AI models, which take up a lot of storage space.
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It’s interesting to note that all iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices have these features, and regardless of the model, they all require consistent space throughout the device. Therefore, it is evident that users need sufficient space to activate and utilize all of the Apple Intelligence features. Users must accept all available features once they meet storage requirements, and these features cannot be turned on or off selectively.
Apple also intends to introduce new AI features for all eligible devices in the upcoming update. However, it may not arrive soon, as reports indicate that iOS 18.3 will be a minor update with bug fixes. However, iOS 18.4 is expected to bring a major overhaul to AI-powered Siri, increasing the storage limit even further.
If your device has limited storage space, you should use iCloud services, and if you are purchasing a new iPhone, you should choose the higher storage variant models to ensure that you can use the Apple Intelligence features without interruption.
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Ashish Singh
Ashish Singh is the Chief Copy Editor at Digit. He's been wrangling tech jargon since 2020 (Times Internet, Jagran English '22). When not policing commas, he's likely fueling his gadget habit with coffee, strategising his next virtual race, or plotting a road trip to test the latest in-car tech. He speaks fluent Geek. View Full Profile
