How to Turn Off Gemini on Android, Gmail and Chrome
Google’s Gemini AI now shows up almost everywhere: it can replace Google Assistant on Android, pop up when you hold the power button, offer summaries in Gmail and sit in a button in Chrome. Some people love it. Others just want their phone and inbox to work the way they used to.
If you are in the second group, this guide shows how to turn off Gemini on Android, in Gmail and Google Workspace, and in Chrome, plus how to stop Gemini from saving your activity. Menu names vary a bit by phone brand and app version, so we note common alternatives where they differ.
Quick answer: To turn off Gemini on Android, go to Settings, then Apps, then Default apps, then Digital assistant app, and choose None (or switch back to Google Assistant if your phone still offers it). Then change the power button long-press back to the power menu and turn off “Hey Google.” In Gmail, open Settings, then See all settings, and turn off Google Workspace smart features. In Chrome, open Settings and hide the Gemini button under AI options. To stop Gemini saving chats, turn off Gemini Apps Activity.
How to Turn Off Gemini on Android
Step 1: Change your default digital assistant
- Open Settings and tap Apps.
- Tap Default apps, then Digital assistant app.
- Tap Default digital assistant app and choose None.
On some phones, Gemini and Google Assistant are both listed under one “Google” option, so choosing None is the clearest way to stop Gemini from opening.
Step 2: Switch back to Google Assistant (if available)
Google has been replacing Assistant with Gemini on phones, so this option is disappearing. If you still have it, open the Gemini app, tap your profile picture, and look for Switch to Google Assistant. On Samsung and other branded phones, you may find it in the Google app under Settings, then Google Assistant, then Digital assistants from Google.
Step 3: Fix the power button
Many phones now open Gemini when you hold the power button. To change it, go to Settings, then System, then Gestures, then Press and hold power button, and choose the power menu. On Samsung phones, look under Advanced features, then Side button.
Step 4: Turn off “Hey Google”
Open the Gemini app settings and turn off hands-free activation (often labeled “Hey Google” or “Talk to Gemini hands-free”).
Step 5: Disable the Gemini app
Long-press the Gemini app icon and tap Uninstall if it appears. On most phones where Gemini came preinstalled, you can only Disable it from the App info screen. Disabling hides the app and stops it from running.
How to Turn Off Gemini in Gmail
“How to turn off Gemini in Gmail” is one of the top questions on this topic. Gemini features in Gmail, Docs and Drive are controlled by smart features settings:
- Open Gmail on a computer and click the gear icon.
- Click See all settings.
- On the General tab, find the Smart features section.
- Turn off Google Workspace smart features (and the related setting for other Google products if you want).
- Scroll down and click Save changes.
Be aware that this also turns off features like Smart Compose and Smart Reply, and can affect automatic inbox tabs. Work and school accounts may be managed by an admin, so you might not see these options.
How to Turn Off Gemini in Chrome
- Click the three-dot menu and open Settings.
- Look for the AI section (sometimes called AI innovations).
- Hide the Gemini button, turn off its keyboard shortcut and limit its permissions.
How to Stop Gemini From Saving Your Activity
Even if you keep using Gemini sometimes, you can limit what it stores. Open the Gemini app, tap your profile picture and choose Gemini Apps Activity, or visit Google My Activity. Turn the setting off to stop saving new chats, and delete past activity if you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I completely remove Gemini from my phone?
On most phones where it came preinstalled, no. You can disable it and set your assistant to None, which stops it from opening.
Is Google Assistant going away?
Google has been moving phones from Assistant to Gemini, so the option to switch back is no longer available on many devices.
Does turning off smart features delete my emails?
No. It only turns off AI and personalization features. Your emails stay where they are.
How do I turn off AI in Google Search?
Search has its own workarounds. See how to turn off AI Overview. For Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, read how to turn off Meta AI.
The Bottom Line
To turn off Gemini, set your Android digital assistant to None, fix the power button and turn off “Hey Google.” Then switch off Workspace smart features in Gmail, hide Gemini in Chrome and pause Gemini Apps Activity to stop saving your chats.
More phone tips: how to turn off read receipts on iPhone.
Steps were accurate at the time of writing. Google updates its apps often, and menu names vary by device and region.
