How to Turn Off Google's Gemini AI Assistant

You can disable Gemini on Android, in Gmail, and on Google Search, but the steps differ by device and app

Google's Gemini AI assistant is built into several Google products — Android phones, Gmail, Google Search, and the Google app itself. If you don't want to use it, you can turn it off in each place separately. You won't lose access to the underlying Google services; you're just removing the AI layer from them.

The method depends on where Gemini appears. On Android, you disable it in system settings. In Gmail and Google Search, you turn it off in app settings. If you have a Gemini-dedicated app installed, you can uninstall it like any other app. This guide covers the main places Gemini shows up and how to disable it in each one.

Key Takeaways

On Android phones, go to Settings > Google > Manage Your Google Account > AI Features and toggle Gemini off.
In Gmail, open Settings > Advanced > Gemini in Gmail and turn it off; this removes the compose and summarize features.
On Google Search, disable Gemini by going to Settings > General and toggling off "Show Gemini in Search results".
If you have the standalone Gemini app installed, you can uninstall it from your phone's app drawer or app settings.
Disabling Gemini in one app or service does not automatically disable it in others — you must turn it off separately in each place.

Disabling Gemini on Android phones

On most Android phones running Android 14 or later, Gemini is integrated into the system. To turn it off, open Settings, then tap Google. Next, tap Manage Your Google Account, then go to the AI Features tab. You should see a toggle for Gemini; switch it to off.

After you disable it, the Gemini button (usually at the bottom of your home screen or in the app drawer) will no longer launch the assistant. If you have the standalone Gemini app, disabling the system feature does not uninstall the app — you can remove it separately by long-pressing the app icon and selecting Uninstall.

On older Android versions or phones from manufacturers like Samsung, the steps may vary slightly. Samsung phones often have their own AI assistant called Bixby, which is separate from Gemini. If you want to disable Gemini on a Samsung phone, follow the Google Settings steps above; Bixby is controlled through Samsung's own settings.

Turning off Gemini in Gmail

Gmail includes Gemini features for composing emails and summarizing long threads. To disable these, open Gmail on your phone or computer, tap or click the Settings gear icon, then select Settings. Scroll down to Advanced and look for Gemini in Gmail. Toggle it off.

Once disabled, you won't see the "Help me write" button when composing emails, and the summarize option won't appear above long email threads. Your email functionality remains unchanged — you can still read, write, and organize messages normally. This setting applies across all your devices where you use Gmail with the same Google account.

Disabling Gemini in Google Search

Google Search shows Gemini results at the top of some search queries. To turn this off, open Google Search on your phone or go to google.com on a computer. Tap or click the Settings gear icon (usually in the bottom right), then select Settings. Look for General and find the option labeled Show Gemini in Search results or Gemini in Search. Toggle it off.

After disabling it, Gemini responses will no longer appear in your search results. You'll see traditional search results instead. This setting is tied to your Google account, so it applies whether you search on your phone, tablet, or computer — as long as you're signed in to the same account.

Removing the standalone Gemini app

If you have the Gemini app installed as a separate application on your phone, you can uninstall it like any other app. Open your phone's Settings, go to Apps (or Application Manager, depending on your phone), find Gemini, and tap Uninstall. Alternatively, long-press the Gemini app icon on your home screen and select Uninstall.

On some phones, the Gemini app may be pre-installed and cannot be fully uninstalled — you can only disable it. If you see a Disable button instead of Uninstall, tap that. Disabling the app removes it from your app drawer and prevents it from running in the background.

What happens when you disable Gemini

Disabling Gemini removes the AI assistant from the places you turned it off, but it does not delete your Google account or affect other Google services. Your search history, Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google products continue to work normally. Google may still use some of your data for other purposes according to your account settings, but Gemini specifically will not generate responses based on your queries or emails.

If you change your mind later, you can re-enable Gemini by following the same steps and toggling the setting back on. There's no penalty for turning it off and back on — it's a user preference, not a one-time choice.

Controlling what data Gemini can see

Even if you keep Gemini enabled, you can limit what information it accesses. In your Google Account settings, go to Privacy & Security, then Data & Privacy. Look for Web & App Activity and YouTube History. If these are turned off, Gemini has less context to work with when generating responses. You can also pause these histories without deleting past data.

Additionally, in Gmail settings, you can control whether Gemini features are available in specific folders or labels. Some organizations that use Google Workspace also have the option to disable Gemini for all users or specific groups, which overrides individual settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling Gemini affect my Google Search results?

No. Turning off Gemini in Search removes only the AI-generated summary at the top of results. Your regular search results, links, and other features remain unchanged. You'll see the same web pages and information you normally would.

Can I disable Gemini on just one device?

Yes. Settings for Gemini in Gmail and Google Search are tied to your Google account, so they apply across devices. However, Android system settings are device-specific — you can disable Gemini on one phone and keep it enabled on another. The standalone Gemini app is also per-device.

Does disabling Gemini delete my chat history?

Disabling Gemini does not automatically delete past conversations. If you want to clear your Gemini history, open the Gemini app or go to your Google Account settings, find Gemini activity, and delete it manually. Some organizations may have different policies for Workspace accounts.

What if I can't find the Gemini toggle in my settings?

Gemini availability depends on your phone model, Android version, and region. Older phones or those running Android 13 or earlier may not have Gemini system integration. If you don't see the toggle, your device may not have Gemini enabled yet, or it may not be available in your area.

Can I disable Gemini without affecting my Google account?

Yes. Disabling Gemini only removes the AI assistant — it does not affect your Google account, email, search functionality, or any other Google service. Your account remains active and fully functional.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.