Skip to main content Tom's Guide Tom's Guide Search Tom's Guide View Profile Best Picks Entertainment Technology Magazines Why subscribe? The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviews Try a single issue or save on a subscription Issues delivered straight to your door or device From$12.99View Deal MacBook Air M4 iPad Air M3 Nintendo Switch 2 Best mattress Wordle Today You can disable those awkward AI message summaries on iPhone — here's how Kaycee Hill 13 March 2025 Apple Intelligence doesn't get your jokes When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) For iPhones running iOS 18.3 and higher, the notification summary feature promises to smartly condense your alerts. The issue, however, is that it turns into your most literal-minded friend when tackling text messages. The problem isn't just that Apple Intelligence lacks a sense of humor — it's that it approaches your bestie's "I'm literally dying" text like a medical emergency, rather than commentary on an embarrassing moment. Sarcasm flies over its head, slang confuses it completely, and exaggerations are taken at face value. The result? Summaries that range from mildly incorrect to hilariously unhinged. You may like Apple scraps Apple Intelligence news feature in wake of false headlines How to turn off Apple Intelligence on your iPhone Fortunately, turning off this overly earnest feature for your text messages is surprisingly simple. Let's look at how you can keep Apple Intelligence from taking your friends' dramatic declarations quite so seriously. 1. Open Settings (Image: © Tom's Guide) Navigate to your iPhone's Settings app — the gear icon typically found on your home screen. 2. Find Apps (Image: © Tom's Guide) Scroll down until you locate the Apps section in your Settings menu. 3. Select Messages (Image: © Tom's Guide) Within the Apps section, tap on Messages to access your text messaging settings. 4. Disable Summarize Messages (Image: © Tom's Guide) Look for the Summarize Messages toggle and switch it to the off position. That's all it takes! Your text messages will now appear in their full, uninterpreted glory, with all the sarcasm, inside jokes, and exaggerations intact — exactly as intended to be read. You'll still benefit from Apple Intelligence summaries in apps where they're more useful, like Mail or News, but your iPhone conversations will remain free from AI's well-meaning but often comically literal interpretations. Now that you've learned how to disable AI message summaries on your iPhone, why not check out some of our other others? Check out iOS 18.4 has dropped — 5 new iPhone features to try first, to get the most of iPhone's smartest update yet. And for help with documents and messages, Writing Tools is one of Apple Intelligence's most useful features. Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. For less well-known features, check out the changes to iOS 18 Notes, including how to summarize audio notes and phone call transcripts. Back to Mobile Cell Phones Storage Size Refurbished Showing 10 of 184 deals Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (256GB White) $1,379View Deal Apple iPhone 16 (128GB Pink) $23.06View Deal Apple iPhone 16 Pro $1,499.99View Deal Apple iPhone 16 Pro $999View Deal Apple iPhone 16 Pro $999View Deal Apple iPhone 16 Pro (256GB White) $1,099View Deal Apple iPhone 16 Plus (128GB Black) $1,109View Deal Apple iPhone 15 $729.99View Deal Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max $1,199.99View Deal Apple iPhone 16 (128GB Black) $23.06View Deal See more Phones How-Tos Kaycee Hill Social Links Navigation Tutorials editor Kaycee is an Editor at Tom’s Guide and has been writing for as long as she can remember. Her journey into the tech world began as Cazoo's Knowledge Content Specialist, igniting her enthusiasm for technology. When she’s not exploring the latest gadgets and innovations, Kaycee can be found immersed in her favorite video games, or penning her second poetry collection. 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