Pixel 10 Pro Users Can Reclaim 7GB by Disabling AICore
A hidden system app consumes nearly 7GB of storage on Google Pixel phones. Disabling it frees up space but disables local AI features like grammar checks and smart replies.
Google’s Pixel 10 Pro holds a hidden system application that occupies nearly 7GB of internal storage. This app, known as AICore, powers various on-device artificial intelligence features. For users who do not rely on these specific functions, disabling the app can reclaim significant space without affecting core phone operations.
The decision to disable AICore often comes up when owners need extra room for large files, such as retro game collections or high-resolution media. According to reports from XDA Developers, removing the app updates and disabling the service can free up approximately 6.89GB. This is a meaningful amount of storage for devices that come with standard 256GB or 512GB configurations, where every gigabyte counts for local data storage.
AICore drives local AI features
The primary function of AICore is to run Google’s Gemini Nano model directly on the phone. This allows features like grammar correction, smart reply suggestions, and note summarization to work without sending data to a remote server. By processing these tasks locally, the phone can respond faster and keep user data private on the device.
However, if you do not use these specific AI tools, the app serves no practical purpose. Many users prefer standard cloud-based search engines or manual typing over automated suggestions. In such cases, the app remains a background process that consumes storage and potentially battery life, offering no benefit to the daily workflow.
Disabling the app has trade-offs
Turning off AICore does not uninstall it completely, but it stops the service from running. Users can also remove app updates to save even more space. The catch is that certain AI-dependent features will break or become slower. For example, AI features in screenshots may stop working entirely. Translation features might still function but will rely on the cloud, making them slower and dependent on an internet connection.
It is also important to note that the app may re-enable itself after a major Android system update. This means the storage savings are temporary unless the user manually disables the app again after each update. For those who prioritize storage over on-device AI convenience, this trade-off is often acceptable, especially when dealing with limited internal storage options.
How to disable AICore on Pixel
To disable AICore, navigate to the phone’s Settings and select Apps. Tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner and choose Show System. From the list, find AICore and select Disable. After disabling, tap the three-dot menu again and select Uninstall Updates to free up additional space. This process is similar on most Samsung Galaxy devices, though the exact menu names may vary slightly.
