Apple Forces Users to Live With a Useless Feature?

No, Apple does not force users to live with a useless feature, but some default settings and bundled apps can feel useless until you customize or disable them. This article explains which features are commonly criticized, why they exist, and how to turn them off or make them useful.

Why Some Apple Features Seem Useless

Apple ships every iPhone, iPad, and Mac with a set of default apps and settings. Some, like Screen Time or Siri Suggestions, are designed for a broad audience, so they may not fit your habits. Others, like iCloud Photos, require a paid storage plan to be fully useful. The perception of a “useless” feature often comes from not knowing how to configure it or from Apple prioritizing privacy and ecosystem lock-in over user choice.

Commonly Criticized Features and Their Purpose

• Screen Time – Tracks app usage and sets limits. It feels useless if you don’t need parental controls or self-monitoring, but it can be turned off entirely.
• Siri Suggestions – Shows app icons on the lock screen and in search. If you never use Siri, these suggestions clutter the interface; you can disable them per app or globally.
• App Library – Automatically organizes apps into categories. For users who prefer a single home screen, the App Library adds an extra swipe, but you can hide entire app pages.
• iCloud Photos – Syncs your photo library across devices. If you have a large library and only the free 5 GB, it fills up quickly and appears broken; you can switch to “Optimize Storage” or turn it off.
• Notification Summary – Bundles non-urgent notifications into a scheduled digest. If you want every notification immediately, this feature delays them; you can exclude apps from the summary.

How to Turn Off or Customize These Features

The exact steps vary by iOS version, but the general path is consistent. For iOS and iPadOS:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll to the feature you want to change (e.g., Screen Time, Siri & Search, Notifications).
3. Toggle off the main switch, or tap into the submenu to customize per-app settings.

For macOS, most features are in System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). For example, to disable Siri Suggestions in Spotlight, go to System Settings > Spotlight and uncheck the categories you don’t want.

Why Apple Includes These Features Anyway

Apple designs features to work across a wide range of users. Screen Time addresses growing concerns about digital wellbeing. Siri Suggestions aims to reduce the number of steps to open an app. iCloud Photos encourages you to use Apple’s cloud service, which is a revenue stream. The company also has a history of prioritizing user privacy, which sometimes means less flexibility (e.g., no default app changes until iOS 14).

Common Problems and Misconceptions

• “Screen Time is tracking me” – Screen Time data is stored on your device and in your iCloud backup if you enable sync; it is not used for advertising.
• “Turning off iCloud Photos deletes my photos” – It only stops syncing; photos already on the device stay. However, if you had “Optimize Storage” on, some full-resolution versions may only exist in iCloud. Download them first.
• “App Library can’t be removed” – Correct, it is a permanent part of iOS, but you can hide home screen pages so the App Library becomes the primary view.
• “Siri Suggestions drain battery” – They use some background processing, but the impact is minimal. Disabling them can slightly improve battery life.

How to Choose What to Keep or Disable

Start by asking what you actually need:

• If you share your device with a child, keep Screen Time on and set a passcode.
• If you never use Siri, turn off Siri & Search suggestions for all apps.
• If you have a small iCloud storage plan, turn off iCloud Photos or upgrade your plan.
• If you prefer immediate notifications, disable Notification Summary entirely.

Costs and Alternatives

Most of these features are free, but iCloud Photos requires storage. Apple offers 5 GB free, with paid tiers for more. Alternatives to Apple’s built-in features include Google Photos for photo backup (free up to a limit), third-party screen time apps, and using a different launcher on Android (not available on iOS). If you find Apple’s defaults limiting, you can often replace them with third-party apps, but you cannot change the default browser or mail app on iOS until iOS 14 or later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete Apple’s built-in apps?

Yes, on iOS you can delete many built-in apps (like Stocks, Tips, or Compass) from the home screen. They are not actually deleted but hidden; you can reinstall them from the App Store. On macOS, you can hide or remove some apps from the Dock, but system apps like Safari and Finder cannot be removed.

Why does my iPhone keep suggesting apps I never use?

Siri Suggestions learn from your usage patterns. If you never use an app, it should stop suggesting it over time. You can also go to Settings > Siri & Search, tap the app, and disable “Suggest App” and “Suggestions on Home Screen.”

Does turning off Screen Time improve battery life?

Screen Time runs in the background to track usage, so disabling it can save a small amount of battery. The effect is usually negligible, but if you notice high background activity, it might help.

Is iCloud Photos worth the cost?

It depends on how many photos you take and whether you use multiple Apple devices. If you have a large library and want automatic sync across devices, the paid plans are convenient. If you only use one device, you might prefer Google Photos or local storage.

Can I make the App Library less intrusive?

Yes, you can hide home screen pages. Press and hold on the home screen, tap the dots at the bottom, and uncheck the pages you want to hide. The apps on those pages will only appear in the App Library.

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sel os | Which OS are you using? | iOS=1, macOS=2
sel feat | Which feature bothers you? | Screen Time=1, Siri Suggestions=2, iCloud Photos=3, App Library=4, Notification Summary=5
out result | Action to take | Settings app → find the feature → toggle off or customize | 0