How to Turn Off Gemini on Android and Google Apps

In 2026, Google Gemini often replaces the traditional Google Assistant as the default digital helper during initial setup. If you find that Gemini is too slow for simple tasks like setting timers or controlling smart lights, you can revert to the classic version. To do this, open the Google app on your smartphone and tap your Profile Picture in the top-right corner. From there, navigate to Settings > Google Assistant > Digital Assistants from Google.

In this menu, you will see two options: Gemini and Google Assistant. Selecting Google Assistant will immediately disable the Gemini overlay that appears when you long-press the power button or use the "Hey Google" wake word. A common mistake users make is simply uninstalling the Gemini app from the Play Store; however, this often leaves the assistant slot empty or triggers an error message rather than automatically reverting to the old assistant. By manually selecting the classic assistant first, you ensure a seamless transition without losing voice command functionality.

• Open Settings on your phone.
• Go to Google > All Services.
• Select Settings for Google apps > Search, Assistant & Voice.
• Tap Google Assistant and look for the Digital Assistant toggle.

Google Chrome in 2026 features a persistent AI side panel that offers summaries and writing assistance. If you find this side panel distracting or it is consuming too much screen real estate on your laptop, you can disable it through the browser settings. Click the Three Vertical Dots in the top-right corner of Chrome and select Settings. On the left-hand sidebar, click on AI & Search. Here, you will find a toggle labeled Enable Gemini Side Panel. Switch this to the off position.

If the toggle is grayed out or managed by your organization, you may need to check if you are signed into a Workspace account. For personal users, disabling this feature also stops Chrome from automatically generating summaries of the websites you visit. If you want to keep the AI features but hide the icon, you can right-click the Gemini Icon in the toolbar and select Hide from Toolbar. This keeps the functionality accessible via the context menu (right-click) without cluttering your browser's primary interface. Experienced users can also go to chrome://flags and search for "Gemini" to disable experimental AI features that haven't hit the main settings menu yet.

For users of Gmail, Google Docs, and Sheets, Gemini provides "Help me write" and data visualization tools that can sometimes interfere with manual formatting. To turn off Gemini in these web-based applications, you generally need to manage your Google Workspace Labs or Gemini for Workspace subscription. In Gmail, click the Settings Cog > See all settings. Under the General tab, scroll down to Smart Features and Personalization and uncheck the box. This will disable most of the AI-driven suggestions.

In Google Docs, the small floating "Gemini" pill can be annoying during creative writing. While there isn't always a single "Off" switch for the entire Workspace suite, you can effectively hide these features by clicking Tools > Preferences and disabling Show Smart Compose Suggestions. If you are a paid Gemini Advanced subscriber, you may also need to visit the Gemini Web App, click your Profile Icon, and select Extensions to toggle off the integrations with Workspace apps. This prevents the AI from scanning your documents and emails for context-aware answers.

Many modern Android devices include a dedicated Gemini shortcut on the home screen or integrated into the search bar. On a Samsung device running the latest One UI in 2026, you can remove the Gemini integration by long-pressing on an empty area of the Home Screen, tapping Settings, and looking for Show Gemini on Home Screen. Toggling this off will remove the AI search pill and revert it to the standard Google Search bar.

On Pixel devices, the integration is often tied to the "At a Glance" widget. To customize this, long-press the At a Glance widget at the top of your screen, tap Customize, and look for AI Suggestions or Gemini Discover. Disabling these options ensures that your phone only shows you relevant calendar events and weather rather than AI-generated summaries of your notifications. If you have the Gemini app installed as a standalone tool, you can simply long-press the app icon and select Uninstall after you have switched your default assistant back to the classic Google Assistant.

Before you completely turn off Gemini, it is helpful to understand what you are gaining and losing. The classic Google Assistant is generally superior for local device control, while Gemini is designed for creative and generative tasks. If your primary use case is smart home management, you will likely find the classic assistant much more responsive. Below is a comparison of the two services in 2026.

Many technicians suggest keeping the Gemini app installed but not setting it as the default assistant. This allows you to open the app manually when you need help drafting an email or summarizing a long document, while keeping the classic Assistant available via "Hey Google" for your daily routines and home automation.

Even after you turn off Gemini on your device, your previous interactions remain stored in your Google Account. To truly "turn off" the AI's influence, you should clear your activity history. Go to myactivity.google.com and look for the Gemini Apps Activity section. Here, you can set an Auto-delete schedule or manually delete all past prompts and responses. This is a critical step for users who are disabling the AI due to privacy concerns.

Furthermore, you should check your location settings and data sharing preferences. In the Google app, navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security > Gemini Extensions. From here, you can revoke Gemini's access to your location, contacts, and calendar. Disabling these extensions effectively neuters the AI's ability to provide personalized results, making it much less intrusive even if the app remains on your device. Always remember to restart your phone after making these system-level changes to ensure that the background processes for Gemini are fully terminated and replaced by the standard Google services.