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HOW TO DISABLE GEMINI ON ANDROID GMAIL CHROME PHOTOS AND GOOGLE APPS

How to Disable Gemini on Android, Gmail, Chrome, Photos, & Google Apps

Understanding the Need to Disable Google Gemini

We understand the growing demand for user autonomy over artificial intelligence integrations within the Android ecosystem. Google’s aggressive rollout of Gemini, its advanced AI model, across its suite of applications has sparked privacy concerns and usability debates among power users. While Gemini offers conversational capabilities and automated assistance, many users prefer the classic Google Assistant, streamlined app interfaces without AI overlays, or simply wish to mitigate background data processing. In this comprehensive guide, we will detail the precise steps to disable Gemini on Android, revert to Google Assistant, and manage AI features within Gmail, Chrome, Google Photos, and other core Google applications.

The proliferation of AI features often comes at the cost of device performance and personal privacy. By following the procedures outlined in this article, you can reclaim control over your device’s functionality, reduce unnecessary resource consumption, and restore the user interface to a pre-AI state where possible. We will cover system-level settings, app-specific configurations, and advanced methods for users seeking a deeper level of deactivation.

Disabling Gemini as the Default Assistant on Android

The most prominent integration of Gemini is its replacement of the Google Assistant as the default voice assistant. When you invoke your device via “Hey Google” or the home button gesture, Gemini may intercept the request. To restore the classic Google Assistant experience, you must modify the digital assistant app settings.

Reverting to Google Assistant via System Settings

We begin by changing the default digital assistant application. This process varies slightly depending on your Android version and device manufacturer (Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, etc.), but the core logic remains consistent.

  1. Open Settings: Navigate to the main Settings menu on your Android device.
  2. Apps & Notifications: Locate the section labeled Apps, Application Manager, or Apps & Notifications.
  3. Default Apps: Scroll down and select Default Apps. This menu manages which applications handle specific actions, such as your browser, phone dialer, and assistant.
  4. Digital Assistant App: Tap on Digital Assistant App (sometimes labeled as Assistant & Voice Input or Device Assistance App).
  5. Select Google Assistant: You will likely see Gemini listed as the current default. Select Google Assistant from the list of available options.

Once this change is made, long-pressing the home button or saying “Hey Google” should trigger the traditional Google Assistant interface rather than the Gemini chatbot overlay.

Managing the Gemini App Installation

Google often installs the Gemini app as a separate entity alongside the Google app. If the system settings revert to Gemini automatically, it may be necessary to disable the app entirely.

  1. Locate Gemini in App Drawer: Find the Gemini app icon in your app drawer or on your home screen.
  2. App Info: Long-press the icon and tap App Info (the encircled “i” icon).
  3. Disable the App: In the App Info menu, tap Disable. You may receive a warning that disabling the app may affect other apps; this is standard procedure. Confirm the action.
    • Note: On some devices, specifically Samsung and other OEM skins, you may need to tap Disable updates first, then Uninstall updates, before the Disable button becomes active.
  4. Force Stop and Clear Data (Optional): Before disabling, you can tap Force Stop and Storage & Cache to clear residual data, ensuring a clean reversion to the Assistant.

By disabling the Gemini app, you prevent it from running in the background and consuming system resources, while effectively forcing the Google app to rely on the legacy Assistant infrastructure.

Turning Off Gemini Features in the Google App

Even if you revert to the Google Assistant, the Google app itself may still contain lingering Gemini features, such as the “Google Gemini” tab or AI-generated summaries in search results. We recommend configuring the Google app to minimize these intrusions.

Modifying Google App Preferences

  1. Open the Google App: Launch the Google app (the colorful “G” icon).
  2. Access Profile Settings: Tap your Profile Picture or Initial in the top-right corner.
  3. Settings > Google Assistant: Navigate to Settings > Google Assistant.
  4. General Tab: Scroll to the General tab within the Assistant settings.
  5. Gemini Features: Look for toggles related to Gemini or Conversational AI. Depending on your region and rollout phase, you may see options to “Use Gemini instead of Google Assistant.” Ensure this is toggled OFF.
  6. Search Customization: Return to the main Google app Settings. Under Search Customization, you can toggle off Personalization and Activity Logging to reduce the AI’s data access points.

Disabling “Search Generative Experience” (SGE)

Google often pushes Generative AI results into standard search queries. This feature, distinct from the voice assistant, can be disabled to return to traditional link-based search results.

  1. In the Google App Settings, tap Search Generative Experience (under the “Search” section).
  2. Toggle the switch for Generative AI to OFF.
  3. Confirm the change to stop AI overviews and summaries in your search results.

Managing Gemini Integration in Google Gmail

Google Gemini has been deeply integrated into Gmail, appearing as a “Gemini” tab in the bottom navigation bar on Android and offering to summarize emails. For users who prefer a clutter-free inbox, disabling this feature is essential.

Hiding the Gemini Tab in Gmail

  1. Open Gmail: Launch the Gmail app on your Android device.
  2. Tap Settings: Tap your Profile Picture in the top-right corner and select Gmail Settings.
  3. General Settings: Tap General Settings.
  4. Navigation Drawer: Scroll down to find the Navigation drawer section. You will see a list of tabs like Inbox, Starred, Snoozed, and Gemini.
  5. Disable Gemini Visibility: Uncheck the box next to Gemini to remove it from your main navigation bar.
  6. Save Changes: Tap the back arrow or Save (depending on your Android version) to apply the changes.

Disabling Smart Features and Compose Assistance

Gmail’s AI features extend to smart compose and reply suggestions. To disable these:

  1. In Gmail Settings, navigate to General.
  2. Smart Compose: Find Smart Compose and set it to Off.
  3. Smart Reply: Locate Smart Reply and set it to Off.
  4. Google Services: You may also need to visit your Google Account settings (web or app) > Data & Privacy > General Preferences for the web > Manage all Web & App Activity. Here, you can pause activity tracking that fuels these AI suggestions.

Removing Gemini from Google Chrome

Google Chrome on Android has integrated AI features, such as the “Gemini” side panel and AI-powered search enhancements. While you cannot fully uninstall Chrome (as it is a system app on many devices), you can effectively disable its AI components.

Disabling Chrome AI Features via Flags

Google Chrome utilizes “Flags” for experimental features. While some AI features are baked into the stable release, others can be toggled off via these internal settings.

  1. Open Chrome: Launch the Chrome browser.
  2. Access Flags: In the address bar, type chrome://flags and hit enter.
  3. Search for AI: In the search bar at the top of the Flags page, type “Gemini” or “AI”.
  4. Disable Flags: Look for flags such as “Enable Gemini Side Panel”, “AI Innovation”, or “Search Generative Experience”. Tap on each and set them to Disabled.
  5. Relaunch Chrome: A Relaunch button will appear at the bottom. Tap it to restart Chrome and apply the changes.

Managing Chrome Site Settings for AI

To prevent websites from accessing device-level AI features via Chrome:

  1. Chrome Settings: Tap the three dots in Chrome > Settings.
  2. Site Settings: Go to Site Settings > Additional Content Settings.
  3. Artificial Intelligence: Look for permissions related to AI or Automatic Updates. While specific AI toggles vary by version, ensuring that Background Sync and Automatic Downloads are restricted can limit unwanted AI interactions.

Turning Off AI Features in Google Photos

Google Photos uses AI for object recognition, categorization (People & Pets), and the “Ask Photos” feature powered by Gemini. Disabling these helps maintain privacy regarding image analysis.

Hiding People & Pets Albums (AI Grouping)

Google’s AI automatically groups photos of people and pets. You can hide these albums without deleting the photos.

  1. Open Google Photos: Launch the app.
  2. Go to Library: Tap the Library tab at the bottom right.
  3. People & Pets: Tap People & Pets.
  4. Hide Grouping: Tap the three dots menu (or Settings icon) within the People & Pets section.
  5. Turn Off Grouping: You will see an option to Hide People & Pets or Turn off grouping. Confirm this action. This stops the local AI processing that creates these face recognition groups.

Disabling “Ask Photos” and Search Suggestions

The “Ask Photos” feature utilizes Gemini to search your library using natural language.

  1. Photos Settings: Tap your Profile Picture > Photos Settings.
  2. Google Photos AI: Look for Google Photos AI or Assistant & AI features.
  3. Search Suggestions: Toggle off Show search suggestions to prevent AI-driven prompts in your search bar.

System-Wide AI Disabling (Android 14 and Above)

On newer versions of Android, particularly Android 14 and the upcoming Android 15, AI integrations are becoming more deeply embedded into the Android System Intelligence (ASI). To disable these system-wide:

  1. Settings > Privacy: Navigate to Privacy > Permission Manager.
  2. Sensors & Permissions: Review permissions granted to Google Play Services, Android System Intelligence, and the Google App. Revoke access to Microphone, Location, and Physical Activity when not strictly necessary. This limits the AI’s ability to contextualize your requests.
  3. Usage & Diagnostics: Go to Settings > Google > Manage Your Google Account > Data & Privacy. Scroll to Usage & Diagnostics and toggle it OFF. This prevents detailed device usage data from being sent to Google to train its models.

Advanced Methods: Using ADB to Remove System Apps

For rooted devices or users comfortable with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a more permanent solution involves removing or disabling the Gemini and Google App packages at the system level. This is an advanced procedure and should be approached with caution.

Using ADB Commands to Disable Packages

We can use ADB commands to prevent the Gemini app from ever launching.

  1. Enable Developer Options: Go to Settings > About Phone > Tap Build Number seven times.
  2. Enable USB Debugging: Go to Developer Options > USB Debugging and turn it on.
  3. Connect to PC: Connect your phone to a computer with ADB tools installed.
  4. Open Command Prompt/Terminal: Navigate to your ADB directory.
  5. Execute Disable Command: To disable the Gemini app package (typically com.google.android.apps.bard or com.google.android.apps.gemini):
    adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.apps.gemini
    To revert the change:
    adb shell pm enable com.google.android.apps.gemini
    Note: Package names may vary based on updates. You can list all packages using adb shell pm list packages to verify the correct name.

Rooted Device Removal (Magisk)

Users who utilize Magisk (available via our Magisk Module Repository) can use systemless debloating modules.

  1. Install a Debloat Module: Search for “Debloat” modules in the Magisk repository.
  2. Select Packages: Configure the module to specifically target Gemini, Google App (if not used), and Android System Intelligence.
  3. Reboot: Reboot your device to apply the changes. This method is non-destructive to the system partition and allows for easy recovery.

Specifics for Google Workspace and Enterprise Users

For users on Google Workspace or enterprise-managed devices, administrators often control the availability of Gemini features.

  1. Admin Console: Admins can navigate to Apps > Google Workspace > Gmail > End User Access.
  2. AI Features: Look for “Enable Gemini for Workspace” and uncheck the box.
  3. Client-Side: If you are a user, check with your IT department. They may have policies that override local device settings. In some cases, you can visit account.google.com > Security > Third-party apps with account access and remove access to Gemini if listed.

Conclusion: Maintaining a Non-AI Android Environment

We have provided a multi-layered approach to disabling Google Gemini across your Android device. By systematically addressing the Default Assistant, Gmail, Chrome, and Photos, you can significantly reduce AI intrusions. Whether you prefer the stability of the legacy Google Assistant or a completely streamlined interface, these steps ensure you remain in control of your software environment.

Remember that Google frequently updates its application suite, which may alter the location of these settings. Regularly reviewing your Privacy and App Settings is recommended to maintain your desired level of data privacy and user experience. For advanced users, leveraging ADB or Magisk provides the most robust method for ensuring these AI services do not run in the background.

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