Google AI is on by default across most of your devices and accounts, but you can turn off individual features

Google has built AI into search, Gmail, Photos, Android phones, and other products. Some features run automatically — like AI summaries in Gmail or suggested replies. Others activate when you use them, like Gemini (Google's AI chatbot). You do not have to use any of them. Turning them off takes a few minutes per product, and the steps differ depending on what you want to disable.

This guide covers the most common Google AI features and where to find the off switch for each one. You will need to sign into your Google account or your device settings, depending on which feature you are disabling.

Key Takeaways

  • Gmail's AI features — including summaries and suggested replies — can be turned off in Gmail settings under the "Advanced" tab.
  • Google Search's AI Overview (formerly called SGE) can be disabled in Search settings, though it may reappear if you clear your browser cache.
  • Gemini, Google's chatbot, does not run unless you open it, but you can remove it from your Android home screen or disable it entirely through device settings.
  • Google Photos' AI features like Magic Eraser and Best Take require you to opt in, so they are off by default unless you turned them on yourself.
  • Disabling AI features does not delete your data — it only stops Google from using AI to process it in those specific ways.

Turn off AI features in Gmail

Gmail includes two main AI features: email summaries (which condense long messages into a few sentences) and suggested replies (which offer quick response options). Both are on by default if you have a Gmail account created after a certain date, though not all accounts have them yet.

To turn them off, open Gmail in your web browser and click the gear icon in the top right corner. Select "See all settings," then click the "Advanced" tab. Scroll down until you see "Smart Compose" and "Email summaries." Uncheck both boxes, then scroll to the bottom and click "Save Changes." The next time you open Gmail, these features will no longer appear.

If you use Gmail on your phone through the Gmail app, the same settings apply — they sync across devices. You do not need to change them separately on mobile.

Disable AI Overview in Google Search

Google Search now shows an "AI Overview" at the top of some search results — a paragraph generated by AI that summarizes information from multiple websites. This feature is called SGE (Search Generative Experience) in some places and AI Overview in others, depending on your region and when Google rolled it out to you.

To turn it off, go to Google Search on your computer or phone and click your profile picture in the top right corner. Select "Settings," then click "Search settings." Scroll down to find "AI Overview" or "Generative AI" and toggle it off. Click "Save" at the bottom.

Note that this setting sometimes resets if you clear your browser cookies or use private browsing mode. If AI Overview reappears after you have disabled it, repeat these steps. On Android phones, the same setting appears in the Google app's settings menu under "General."

Remove or disable Gemini on your phone or computer

Gemini is Google's AI chatbot. On Android phones, it appears as a button at the bottom of your home screen and can be opened by swiping up from the corner. On computers, you can access it through Google Search or by visiting gemini.google.com. Gemini does not run in the background — it only activates when you open it — but you can remove the shortcut or disable it entirely.

On Android, press and hold the Gemini button at the bottom of your home screen, then select "Remove." This removes the shortcut but does not disable the feature completely. To disable Gemini entirely on Android, go to Settings, then Apps, then search for "Google." Tap "Google," select "Permissions," and turn off microphone access. This prevents Gemini from listening for voice commands. You can also go to Settings, then Apps, then Google, and select "Disable" if that option appears (it does not on all Android versions).

On a computer, Gemini has no separate app to disable. Simply do not visit gemini.google.com or use the Gemini button in Google Search. There is no background process to turn off.

Manage AI features in Google Photos

Google Photos includes AI tools like Magic Eraser (which removes unwanted objects from photos), Best Take (which picks the best version of a group photo), and Face Grouping (which organizes photos by person). Unlike Gmail or Search, these features are off by default — you only see them if you turned them on yourself or if you have a Google One subscription (which includes extra AI features).

If you have turned on these features and want to disable them, open Google Photos and tap your profile picture in the top right. Select "Photos settings," then "Google Photos settings." Look for "Magic Eraser," "Best Take," or other AI features and toggle them off. The features will no longer appear in your editing menu.

If you have a Google One subscription and want to disable AI features that come with it, go to one.google.com, sign in, and look for "AI features" or "Magic Editor" in your subscription settings. You can turn off individual features without canceling your subscription.

Check your Google Account settings for other AI uses

Google uses AI in other places too — like suggesting contacts in Gmail, organizing your calendar, and filtering spam. These are harder to disable individually because they are built into the core product. However, you can limit how much data Google collects overall, which reduces how much AI can process.

Go to myaccount.google.com and click "Data & privacy" on the left side. Under "Data from apps and services," you will see options to pause Web & App Activity, Location History, and YouTube History. Pausing these does not delete past data, but it stops Google from collecting new data going forward. This limits what AI features can access.

You can also visit myaccount.google.com and click "Manage your Google Account," then the "Data & privacy" tab, to see what data Google has stored about you and request deletion of specific categories.

What happens after you disable Google AI features

Disabling AI features does not delete your emails, photos, or search history. It only stops Google from using AI to process that data in specific ways. Your data remains in your Google account, and you can still search, read emails, and view photos normally — just without AI summaries, suggestions, or enhancements.

If you change your mind later, you can turn these features back on using the same steps. Google does not charge you for turning features off or on — these are all free options within your existing account.

Some AI features may reappear in future Google updates. If Google adds new AI to a product you use, you will see it the next time you open that product, and you can disable it using the same method described above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does disabling Google AI make my account less secure?

No. AI features like spam filtering and phishing detection are separate from the AI features you can disable. Turning off email summaries or search AI Overview does not affect security tools. If you want to disable security features, that is a different process in your account settings.

Will Google re-enable these features without asking me?

Google may add new AI features to products in the future, and those new features may be on by default. However, features you have manually disabled typically stay off unless you turn them back on. If a feature reappears, you can disable it again using the same steps.

Can I disable Google AI on a work or school account?

If your account is managed by your employer or school, your administrator may have locked certain settings. Try the steps above first. If the options are grayed out or missing, contact your IT department or administrator — they control what you can change.

Does disabling AI features speed up my device or save data?

Disabling AI features may save a small amount of data if you use mobile internet, since AI summaries and suggestions require downloads. The speed difference is usually not noticeable. The main reason to disable these features is privacy or preference, not performance.

What if I only want to disable AI on one device?

Settings in your Google account (like Gmail and Search settings) sync across all devices. If you disable email summaries in Gmail settings, they turn off on your phone, tablet, and computer. Device-specific settings like Gemini on Android only affect that device. For account-level features, you cannot disable them on just one device.