Apple includes a setting called Help Apple Improve Search that uses activity from Spotlight, Siri and Safari to refine search quality. Apple says this data is de-identified and not linked to your Apple ID.

What it does

  • Uses your search queries (including visual look-ups) and related context to improve relevance.
  • Associates signals with a random, rotating, device-generated identifier, not your Apple ID or email.
  • May use aggregated information to evaluate search quality and guide product improvements.

What signals can be involved

  • Text and visual queries you enter.
  • The suggestions you tap, related app usage and device context.
  • Location signals if you’ve allowed Location Services for related features.
  • Apple describes these as processed in a way intended to prevent direct linking to you.

Where to find it

Settings → Search → Help Apple Improve Search.

Default state

After updating to iOS 26, some devices show this control enabled. Check your device to confirm the current status.

Impact when turned off

  • Search, Siri and Safari continue to work.
  • Your search activity is not used for Apple’s improvement programmes described by this control.

How to change the setting

Go to Settings → Search → Help Apple Improve Search and toggle off if you do not want your search activity used for improvement.

Why the setting exists

  • To allow Apple to collect de-identified signals that help rank results, reduce errors and improve features across Spotlight, Siri and Safari.

How Apple says it de-identifies data

  • Uses a device-generated identifier that rotates periodically.
  • Keeps improvement data separate from account identifiers such as your Apple ID or email.
  • Relies on aggregation and sampling to evaluate search quality.

Quick audit checklist (2 minutes)

  1. Settings → Search: review the Help Apple Improve Search toggle.
  2. Review Show Recent Searches and Show Related Content.
  3. Privacy & Security → Location Services → System Services: check Suggestions & Search.
  4. Spotlight tests: swipe down on the Home Screen, run a few queries and confirm expected behaviour.

For privacy-first configurations

  • Keep Help Apple Improve Search off.
  • Minimise optional signals (Recent Searches, Related Content).
  • Limit Suggestions & Search under System Services if you do not want location signals used.

Notes for families and shared devices

  • Each device maintains its own setting.
  • If multiple people use one iPhone, review this control after major updates.

Summary

“Help Apple Improve Search” governs whether Apple can use your search activity to enhance its search features under a de-identification model. The control is available at Settings → Search; turn it off if you prefer not to share improvement data.