iPhone storage issues reported with iOS 27 and Apple Intelligence

iPhone users are reporting significant storage challenges related to iOS updates and app management. A notable issue involves the Apple Intelligence feature in iOS 27, which reportedly consumes between 9 and 16 gigabytes of local storage. This storage usage persists even when the feature is deactivated or unavailable in certain regions, such as the European Union due to regulatory reasons. Testing on an iPhone 15 Pro Max showed that Apple Intelligence occupied over 11 gigabytes despite Siri and the AI features being disabled.

To manage limited space, users can utilize the “Offload Unused Apps” function in iOS settings. This feature removes the application itself while preserving essential documents and data, allowing for easy reinstallation. Additionally, clearing accumulated cache data by deleting and reinstalling certain apps has been reported to free up substantial space, though such instances are anecdotal. Experts note that simply closing background apps does not provide storage benefits, as iOS manages background processes automatically.