Privacy Focused
Keeping your conversations and data secure by storing everything locally
Your Data, Your Control
Apple AI is designed with privacy as a core principle. Unlike web-based AI interfaces that may store your data on remote servers, Apple AI stores all your conversation history and settings locally on your Mac by default.
This means your sensitive conversations, proprietary code snippets, and personal information remain under your control at all times, giving you peace of mind while using powerful AI tools.
Local Data Storage
Your conversations never leave your device unless you explicitly share them
Key Privacy Benefits
Local Storage
All conversations, preferences, and settings are stored securely on your Mac, not on remote servers.
Data Persistence Control
You decide how long your conversations are stored, with options to automatically clear history after a set period.
Sensitive Data Protection
Perfect for handling confidential business information, proprietary code, or personal details.
Export & Backup Options
Export your conversation history in multiple formats, with control over what data is included.
How Your Data is Stored
Local Storage Locations
Apple AI stores data in standard macOS app locations, making it easy to back up and secure:
- Conversation History: ~/Library/Application Support/Apple AI/Conversations
- Preferences: ~/Library/Preferences/com.appleai.app.plist
- Cache: ~/Library/Caches/com.appleai.app
- Logs: ~/Library/Logs/Apple AI
Data Security
While Apple AI stores data locally, your conversations with AI services still pass through their respective APIs:
- API Communications: Messages sent to AI services (like ChatGPT, Claude, etc.) are transmitted to their servers for processing according to their privacy policies
- No Additional Data Collection: Apple AI doesn't collect any additional data beyond what you explicitly input to each AI service
- Secure Connections: All communications with AI services use encrypted connections
Managing Your Data
Clearing Conversation History
To clear your conversation history, go to Preferences > Privacy, then click "Clear All Conversations" or set up automatic clearing after a specific time period.
Exporting Your Data
You can export individual conversations or your entire history in multiple formats (TXT, PDF, or JSON) by right-clicking on a conversation and selecting "Export" or going to File > Export.
Privacy Settings
Customize your privacy settings in Preferences > Privacy, including options to disable conversation history altogether, set automatic deletion periods, and manage API key storage.
Backing Up Your Data
Apple AI's data is automatically included in Time Machine backups. For manual backups, copy the folder ~/Library/Application Support/Apple AI to your backup location.
Privacy Best Practices
1. Review AI Service Policies
While Apple AI keeps your data local, remember that the content of your conversations is processed by the AI services you use (ChatGPT, Claude, etc.). Review their privacy policies to understand how they handle your data.
2. Be Mindful of Sensitive Information
Avoid sharing highly sensitive personal information, credentials, or proprietary data with any AI service unless absolutely necessary.
3. Regular Maintenance
Periodically clear old conversations that are no longer needed to maintain privacy and optimize performance.
4. Secure Your Mac
Since Apple AI stores data locally, ensure your Mac is secured with strong passwords, FileVault encryption, and up-to-date security patches.
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