In this guide, we show you how to block new Siri and AI features on your Mac running macOS 27 Golden Gate so you can go back to simpler times.
macOS 27 is full of AI features that feel like they are shoved in your face.
For instance, go to rename a file in Finder or apps like Pages, and AI will start suggesting names for it.
Right-click on the desktop and you’ll have an Ask Siri button to ask the new AI something.
Then, try to write something, and you have Siri AI there as well.
Want to use the good old Spotlight to find an item quickly? Siri AI is now integrated into that as well.
Next, you have the AI suggestions option when taking screenshots (Visual Intelligence).
There is also a new Siri app, so it doesn’t seem Apple is behind OpenAI, Anthropic, SpaceXSI (SpaceX Super Intelligence), and Google.
Then, we have AI features like image reframing and extending that are built into the Photos app (with no way to block them). You also have AI image generation as standalone tools in the Image Playground app as well as iWork apps like Pages (though the latter is behind a subscription paywall).
On top of that, you can enable a hidden Siri UI feature that can help with your writing.
If you love AI, then all this is great news. I’m sure you’ll value Apple’s approach to private, built-in AI that’s free for the most part (though limits apply to things like image generation).
On the other hand, many people don’t appreciate having so much AI shoved in their faces and can’t just ignore it. If you are one of them, here’s how to turn off most or select Apple AI features on your Mac and reclaim your sanity.
Switch back to previous non-AI Siri
Apple offers a way to switch back to the previous version of Siri, called Classic Siri, instead of the new Siri AI (Beta). Do this if you don’t want to use the new Siri AI and features like Visual Intelligence, Ask Siri, the Siri app, etc., but still want to be able to use the voice assistant like before, along with some AI tools like Writing Tools, image generation, etc.
Block Siri AI features in one go
Follow these steps if you don’t want to use Siri voice assistant, Siri app, Ask Siri, Visual Intelligence, and nearly all other AI features on your Mac running macOS 27 Golden Gate.
- Open System Settings.
- Select Screen Time.
- Click Content & Privacy.
- Enable Content & Privacy, then click Siri.
- Set Siri to Don’t Allow Siri and click Done.
You can no longer use Siri and the new Siri AI features on your Mac running the new macOS Golden Gate.
Note: You can also go to System Settings > Siri and Turn Off Siri, but this is not as powerful as the above steps.
Turn off AI writing tools
When you right-click on selected text or click Edit in the top menu bar, you’ll notice a Writing Tools option. Go to System Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy > Siri and turn off Writing Assistance if you never use AI to write or proofread messages, emails, notes, etc.
Turn off AI image generation
If you don’t use Image Playground or don’t want your child to use it to generate images using AI, then turn off the ‘Image Creation’ switch in macOS System Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy > Siri.
Stop AI from suggesting file names
Go to Finder Settings and uncheck Suggest file names to stop Finder and other apps from showing you file name suggestions.
Can you turn off AI photo editing tools?
I tried nearly everything in System Settings, but there is no way to disable the new Extend, Reframe, and Clean Up features in the Photos app, all of which use AI to tweak your image.
What’s your reason for blocking Siri AI on Mac?
For more, check out these guides:
- How to turn off all Apple Intelligence features on iPhone
- How to opt out and turn off all ‘smart’ AI features in Gmail
- How to turn off AI features in Firefox on iOS and computer
