By default, macOS Sequoia sends some of your search data to Apple to improve search results across Safari, Spotlight, and Siri. While Apple states this data is not tied to your personal information or Apple account, some users may prefer to keep all their data private. Luckily, you can turn off this setting in just a few steps. Here’s what you need to know and how to adjust your settings.
Apple collects certain search data to enhance the accuracy of search results and suggestions. According to Apple’s privacy statement, this data is tied to a random ID that resets every 15 minutes and does not include personal identifiers. However, it could include:
Apple ensures that files or content stored locally on your device are not included in this data. For subscription services, only the service name and type of subscription may be shared—not your account details, passwords, or usernames.
If you’d rather not have your searches shared with Apple, here’s how to disable it:
For more control, click the Search Privacy button in the Spotlight pane. This lets you choose specific storage volumes you don’t want Spotlight to index.
If you also want to stop Siri suggestions while typing in Spotlight:
To further limit Siri’s data sharing:
You can also explore other analytics options on this panel, such as:
Disabling these options will reduce the data sent to Apple.
If Location Services is enabled, your Mac may send location data to improve features like maps and address suggestions. To disable this:
Keep in mind that disabling location settings may limit certain features, like auto-suggesting routes in Maps.
While turning off these settings improves privacy, it may impact the accuracy of Spotlight and Siri. For example, Siri may not provide as helpful suggestions, and Spotlight may not deliver the most relevant results.
If you’d like more information, visit Apple’s Spotlight Settings on Mac page.
By taking these steps, you can decide how much data, if any, you’re comfortable sharing with Apple while using macOS.
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