How to Stop macOS Sequoia from Sharing Your Safari and Spotlight Searches

macOS Sequoia brings improved search capabilities aimed at enhancing the user experience. By default, however, Apple gathers certain search data from Safari, Spotlight, and Siri to enhance search results and recommendations. Although Apple claims that this data isn’t linked to your identity, those concerned about privacy might opt to turn off data sharing.

This guide will outline the steps to stop macOS Sequoia from sharing your search data while keeping as much functionality intact as possible.

Why Does macOS Sequoia Share Search Data with Apple?

Apple collects search data to enrich user experience by refining results and tailoring suggestions. The data involved comprises:

• Searches conducted in Safari
• Queries executed through Spotlight
• Requests directed to Siri
• Searches carried out via Look Up or Visual Look Up
• Queries in #images search within Messages

Apple anonymizes this information by linking it to a random ID that refreshes every 15 minutes. Furthermore, while search queries and contextual information (such as app usage and device type) are sent to Apple, data retained on your Mac—like personal files—remains confidential.

How to Stop macOS Sequoia from Sending Search Data to Apple

If you want to prevent Apple from accessing your search data, you can turn off this feature in System Settings.

Step 1: Disable “Help Apple Improve Search”

1. Access System Settings on your Mac.
2. Click on Spotlight in the left-hand menu.
3. Toggle off Help Apple Improve Search to halt the transmission of search data.

Step 2: Modify Search Privacy Settings

1. Within System Settings, go to Spotlight.
2. Click on the Search Privacy button.
3. Choose which storage volumes you want Spotlight not to index.

Step 3: Turn Off Siri Suggestions

1. In the Spotlight settings menu, find Siri Suggestions.
2. Toggle off this option to stop Siri from offering search recommendations.

Step 4: Stop Siri & Dictation Data Sharing

Even with search data sharing disabled, Siri could still keep your interactions if you have enabled “Improve Siri & Dictation.” To disable this:

1. Open System Settings.
2. Go to Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements.
3. Toggle off Improve Siri & Dictation.

Additional Privacy Settings to Consider

In addition to search data, macOS Sequoia also collects other analytics that you might want to disable.

Disable Analytics & Improvements

In System Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements, you can turn off:

• Share Mac Analytics
• Improve Siri & Dictation
• Enhance Assistive Voice Features
• Share with App Developers
• Share iCloud Analytics

Turning off these options prevents Apple from gathering data related to your system usage and interactions with Siri and Spotlight.

Turn Off Location Services for Search

macOS might also utilize Location Services to enhance search results. To turn this off:

1. Open System Settings.
2. Navigate to Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services.
3. Click on Details.
4. Toggle off Suggestions & Search to keep location data from influencing search results.

The Effects of Disabling Search Data Sharing

While turning off search data sharing enhances privacy, it could also diminish search accuracy. Features like auto-suggestions, location-based search results, and predictive text may not work as effectively.

For instance, if you disable Location Services, Apple Maps might no longer automatically propose routes based on your location. Likewise, turning off Siri Suggestions may lead to fewer tailored recommendations in Safari and Spotlight.

If privacy is your primary concern, these compromises might be worthwhile. However, if you depend on Apple’s AI-driven suggestions, you may want to adjust these settings selectively.

Conclusion

macOS Sequoia’s search capabilities aim to enhance the user experience, but users who care about privacy might prefer to limit the data Apple gathers. By following the above steps, you can prevent macOS from sharing your Safari, Spotlight, and Siri search data while still using the system effectively.

Ultimately, the choice between privacy and convenience is a personal decision. Tailoring macOS settings enables you to maintain control over your data while still benefiting from Apple’s search improvements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Will turning off search data sharing impact my Mac’s performance?

No, turning off search data sharing does not affect your Mac’s overall performance. However, Spotlight and Siri suggestions may be less accurate due to the lack of personalized data.

2. Can Apple continue to collect data if I disable all search-related settings?

While turning off search-related settings stops Apple from collecting search data, they may still gather other analytics unless you disable further options in Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements.

3. Will Spotlight still function if I disable search data sharing?

Yes, Spotlight will still operate, but it may not deliver as personalized or refined search results. You can continue using it to find files, applications, and system settings on your Mac.

4. Does disabling Location Services only impact search-related applications?

No, turning off Location Services for search also affects other applications, such as Maps, Weather, and Find My Mac. If you’re reliant on location-based services, consider keeping this feature enabled.

5. Can I reactivate these settings later?

Yes, you can always reactivate search data sharing and other privacy settings by going back to System Settings and modifying the relevant options.

6. How does Apple anonymize my search data?

Apple assigns a random ID that resets every 15 minutes to anonymize search data, ensuring your queries aren’t associated with your personal Apple ID or iCloud account.

7. What distinguishes Safari search data from Spotlight search data?

• Safari search data includes web search queries, browsing history, and suggested sites.
• Spotlight search data includes local file searches, recommendations from the web, and app suggestions.

By adjusting your System Settings, you can regulate how much data Apple collects from both types.

By following these instructions, you can tailor macOS Sequoia to better reflect your privacy preferences while still enjoying Apple’s robust search capabilities.