The short answer
No. Your data. Shrink it from its app; don’t delete the folder.
What is it?
On-device language and image models that power Apple Intelligence features such as Writing Tools, Genmoji and Image Playground. macOS downloads and manages them in a protected system folder. Apple says they need up to 14 GB on Macs with M3 or later and at least 12 GB of memory, and up to 8 GB on other supported Macs.
System models used by Apple Intelligence. macOS manages them; they cannot be removed while Apple Intelligence is on.
What happens if you delete it?
They are system assets: if they are removed while features that use them are on, macOS downloads them again in the background.
How to remove it properly
Do not delete them by hand: the folder is protected by macOS, and tampering with it can break system features. The supported way to reduce them is to turn off the Apple Intelligence features you do not use in System Settings › Apple Intelligence & Siri; macOS then removes models it no longer needs on its own schedule, which can take a while. The options available differ between macOS versions.
Don’t remove it by hand; macOS manages it.
Before you delete it
Be wary of third-party tools that promise to strip the models: they change system restrictions, can turn off Siri and other features, and may stop working after a macOS update.
How MoreRoom helps
MoreRoom recognises this as your data and never suggests deleting it. It shows how much space it takes, so you can shrink it from its own app.
Frequently asked questions
Can I delete Apple Intelligence models on my Mac?
No. Your data. Shrink it from its app; don’t delete the folder. They are system assets: if they are removed while features that use them are on, macOS downloads them again in the background.
Will Apple Intelligence models come back after I delete it?
Yes. They are system assets: if they are removed while features that use them are on, macOS downloads them again in the background.
How do I remove Apple Intelligence models properly?
Do not delete them by hand: the folder is protected by macOS, and tampering with it can break system features. The supported way to reduce them is to turn off the Apple Intelligence features you do not use in System Settings › Apple Intelligence & Siri; macOS then removes models it no longer needs on its own schedule, which can take a while. The options available differ between macOS versions.