# macOS 27 keeps a Siri-related process running after Siri is disabled, and Apple Intelligence storage use exceeds Apple’s stated figures

> Reports find a Siri-related process persists after Siri is disabled in macOS 27, and that Apple Intelligence models use more storage than Apple’s published figures state.

FireAI Security & Research Team (HisnLabs) · Published 2026-09-28
Canonical: https://hisnlabs.com/en/news/macos-27-siri-apple-intelligence-storage

Tom’s Guide reported on 23 September 2026 that a Siri-related process continues running in macOS 27’s Activity Monitor after a user disables Siri, and that Spotlight may account for the behaviour [[1](https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/artificial-intelligence/i-turned-off-siri-in-macos-27-so-why-is-it-still-running-here-s-what-s-happening/ar-AA2cO74N)]. In the same week, MacRumors, Geo News, Lifehacker and Business Today each reported that Apple Intelligence, the on-device AI system built into macOS 27, occupies substantially more storage on some Macs than Apple’s own published figures state [[2](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/23/apple-intelligence-30gb-some-macs-macos-27/)][[3](https://www.geo.tv/latest/683384-mac-running-out-of-space-apple-intelligence-may-be-eating-up-to-30gb)][[4](https://lifehacker.com/tech/if-you-updated-to-ios-27-or-macos-golden-gate-check-your-storage)][[5](https://www.msn.com/en-in/technology/cloud-computing/is-macos-27-update-taking-up-space-on-your-mac-check-for-these-hidden-ai-files/ar-AA2cJSPw)].

## Background

Apple states in its own support documentation that Apple Intelligence requires up to 14GB of on-device storage on Macs with an M3 chip or later, and up to 8GB on other Apple Intelligence-enabled Macs, according to MacRumors [[2](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/23/apple-intelligence-30gb-some-macs-macos-27/)]. Tom’s Guide reported separately that Mac users have found a Siri-related process still listed as active in Activity Monitor after switching Siri off in System Settings, and that Spotlight, which shares some of the same on-device indexing components, may be responsible; the outlet did not identify the specific process by name [[1](https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/artificial-intelligence/i-turned-off-siri-in-macos-27-so-why-is-it-still-running-here-s-what-s-happening/ar-AA2cO74N)].

## Findings

MacRumors reported measuring 20.67GB of Apple Intelligence storage use on an M4 Pro Mac mini, and cited an Ars Technica measurement of 22.42GB on an M3 MacBook Air and a Reddit user’s report of 30.16GB [[2](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/23/apple-intelligence-30gb-some-macs-macos-27/)]. Geo News reported that some Macs show Apple Intelligence using up to 30GB, above the figures Apple states, and described the gap as a source of frustration among users [[3](https://www.geo.tv/latest/683384-mac-running-out-of-space-apple-intelligence-may-be-eating-up-to-30gb)]. Lifehacker advised readers who updated to iOS 27 or macOS 27, referred to in its report by the codename Golden Gate, to check their device storage [[4](https://lifehacker.com/tech/if-you-updated-to-ios-27-or-macos-golden-gate-check-your-storage)]. Business Today reported that a storage spike following the macOS 27 update may not be caused by a user’s own apps or files, attributing it to Apple Intelligence models using additional space [[5](https://www.msn.com/en-in/technology/cloud-computing/is-macos-27-update-taking-up-space-on-your-mac-check-for-these-hidden-ai-files/ar-AA2cJSPw)].

MacRumors reported that Apple’s support documentation does not clarify whether its stated “up to 14GB” figure corresponds directly to the amount shown under the Apple Intelligence category in System Settings’ storage panel, and that Apple had not commented on the discrepancy at the time of the report [[2](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/23/apple-intelligence-30gb-some-macs-macos-27/)].

## Implications for Mac users

The storage discrepancy applies to Macs that support Apple Intelligence and run macOS 27; Intel-based Macs, which do not support Apple Intelligence, are not affected [[2](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/23/apple-intelligence-30gb-some-macs-macos-27/)]. None of the reports states that the additional storage use involves data leaving the device; each describes on-device model storage rather than network activity. Tom’s Guide’s report on the persistent Siri-related process likewise describes a background process observed locally in Activity Monitor, not a process reported to be transmitting data [[1](https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/artificial-intelligence/i-turned-off-siri-in-macos-27-so-why-is-it-still-running-here-s-what-s-happening/ar-AA2cO74N)].

> FireAI, the on-device firewall for macOS developed by HisnLabs, shows which background processes on a Mac attempt to reach the internet, and where. A 17-day trial is available. [Download FireAI for Mac](https://hisnlabs.com/en/download)

## Recommendations

1. Check actual Apple Intelligence storage use at System Settings › General › Storage, then the information button beside macOS, the method MacRumors used to obtain its figures.
2. Compare the figure shown against Apple’s stated range (up to 14GB on M3 or later Macs, up to 8GB on other supported Macs) before treating it as a fault.
3. Where storage is a priority, remove Apple Intelligence models through the options macOS provides, rather than deleting system files manually.
4. Reboot after removing models and check storage again, since freed space is not always reflected immediately, per Geo News.
5. Do not treat a Siri-related process remaining visible in Activity Monitor after disabling Siri as evidence of a fault; Tom’s Guide describes it as a known behaviour linked to Spotlight, not reported to involve data transmission.

## Relevance to FireAI

FireAI does not manage storage and cannot remove Apple Intelligence models or stop a background process such as Siri or Spotlight; none of this falls within what a network firewall controls. Its relevant function is narrower: per-app rules and the world map can show whether a background system process is making a network connection, and to which destination. None of the sources for this report describes Siri or Apple Intelligence transmitting user activity off the device, so the findings here concern storage and background-process behaviour, not data collection. FireAI is developed by HisnLabs and available to [download](https://hisnlabs.com/en/download).

> FireAI’s world map shows the destination of every connection a Mac makes, including from background system processes. A 17-day trial is available. [Download FireAI for Mac](https://hisnlabs.com/en/download)

## Limitations

Apple has not published an explanation for the gap between its stated storage figures and the measurements reported by MacRumors and Geo News, and neither outlet reports an official response at the time of publication [[2](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/23/apple-intelligence-30gb-some-macs-macos-27/)][[3](https://www.geo.tv/latest/683384-mac-running-out-of-space-apple-intelligence-may-be-eating-up-to-30gb)]. Tom’s Guide’s reporting on the Siri-related process does not name the specific process or confirm Spotlight’s role beyond describing it as a likely explanation [[1](https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/artificial-intelligence/i-turned-off-siri-in-macos-27-so-why-is-it-still-running-here-s-what-s-happening/ar-AA2cO74N)]. The Lifehacker and Business Today reporting consulted for this article is limited to a summary of the storage issue rather than independent measurements [[4](https://lifehacker.com/tech/if-you-updated-to-ios-27-or-macos-golden-gate-check-your-storage)][[5](https://www.msn.com/en-in/technology/cloud-computing/is-macos-27-update-taking-up-space-on-your-mac-check-for-these-hidden-ai-files/ar-AA2cJSPw)].

## Sources

- [Tom’s Guide, 23 September 2026: I turned off Siri in macOS 27 — so why is it still running? Here’s what’s happening](https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/artificial-intelligence/i-turned-off-siri-in-macos-27-so-why-is-it-still-running-here-s-what-s-happening/ar-AA2cO74N)
- [MacRumors, 23 September 2026: Apple Intelligence Is Taking 20GB to 30GB on Some Macs Running macOS 27 Golden Gate](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/23/apple-intelligence-30gb-some-macs-macos-27/)
- [Geo News, 23 September 2026: Mac running out of space? Apple intelligence may be eating up to 30GB](https://www.geo.tv/latest/683384-mac-running-out-of-space-apple-intelligence-may-be-eating-up-to-30gb)
- [Lifehacker, 24 September 2026: If you updated to iOS 27 or macOS Golden Gate, check your storage](https://lifehacker.com/tech/if-you-updated-to-ios-27-or-macos-golden-gate-check-your-storage)
- [Business Today, 22 September 2026: Is macOS 27 update taking up space on your Mac? Check for these hidden AI files](https://www.msn.com/en-in/technology/cloud-computing/is-macos-27-update-taking-up-space-on-your-mac-check-for-these-hidden-ai-files/ar-AA2cJSPw)