If you want to stay private and secure on iPhone, you can flip two switches in under a minute. One stops keeping an exportable activity log for Apple Intelligence. The other stops your search terms from being sent to Apple for analysis. This iPhone privacy guide explains what each setting actually does, why you might turn it off, and the exact steps. At The Big Phone Store, we want you to enjoy your iPhone without leaking more data than you planned.
What you’re turning off
1) Apple Intelligence Report
This is an on-device activity log for Apple Intelligence. Think of it like receipts:
When the AI task happened (timestamp).
Which feature ran (e.g., rewrite, summarise).
Which app asked (e.g., Messages, Mail, Notes).
Where it ran: on-device or via Private Cloud Compute (Apple’s secure servers for heavier tasks).
Data type handled (text or image) and basic size.
Outcome (success/fail) and an anonymised request ID.
It’s a transparency tool for you. It is not a copy of your iMessages, emails, or notes. You can set the time window to 15 minutes, 7 days, or Off, and you can export the log as a JSON file.
Turn it off:
Settings → Privacy & Security → Apple Intelligence Report → Report Duration: Off. That’s it. The reporting stops.
2) “Help Apple Improve Search”
This toggle lets Apple store the search terms you type in Safari, Siri, and Spotlight to improve search quality. Apple says these searches are stored in a way not linked to you. It’s about the queries you submit, not your full browsing history. You can opt out at any time.
Turn it off:
Settings → Search → toggle Help Apple Improve Search to Off. This opts you out of sending search queries for improvement. You can also choose which apps appear in Search from the same screen.
Why this helps
Less background logging of Apple Intelligence activity on your device.
Stops Apple from collecting your search queries across Safari, Siri and Spotlight for analysis.
Extra tips to tighten search privacy (optional)
Limit location-based suggestions:
Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → System Services → toggle Suggestions & Search off.Review which apps appear in Search:
Settings → Search → turn off apps you don’t want included.
Commonly Asked Questions
No. It only stops generating the exportable report. Apple Intelligence features stay as you set them.
Apple says on-device processing is the default. For complex requests, data may be sent to Private Cloud Compute to fulfil the request and then removed. The optional report you control can include activity details and content related to those requests. If you’re uncomfortable, keep the report off and use Apple Intelligence features selectively.
iOS 18 introduced clearer Search controls, including the “Help Apple Improve Search” toggle. Turning it off stops sending your queries for improvement.
Apple says stored searches for the “Help Improve Search” programme are not linked to your identity.
| Setting | Where | What it does | If you turn it off |
|---|---|---|---|
Apple Intelligence Report | Settings → Privacy & Security → Apple Intelligence Report | Keeps a time-limited, exportable activity log for Apple Intelligence (feature, app, on-device vs Private Cloud Compute, time, data type, outcome). | Features still work; you just stop keeping the log. Recommend: OFF |
Help Apple Improve Search | Settings → Search | Sends your search terms from Safari, Siri and Spotlight to Apple to improve results (stored not linked to you). | Searches still work; your queries aren’t sent for improvement. Recommend: OFF |
Conclusion
If you want to stay private and secure on iPhone, switch these two off: Apple Intelligence Report and Help Apple Improve Search. You’ll reduce background logging and stop sharing your search queries for improvement. It takes less than a minute and gives you more control over what leaves your device. If you bought your iPhone through The Big Phone Store, this is an easy added value tip to keep handy.
Browse our range of refurbished iPhones.
Read our guide to why refurbished phones are more trusted for security and privacy than second-hand .
Still unsure? Contact The Big Phone Store team for help.
