How to Turn Off Google Gemini on Your Device

Google Gemini is turned off differently depending on where it appears on your device

Google Gemini runs in three separate places: as a web app at gemini.google.com, as a mobile app on Android phones, and as a feature built into Google Search on both Android and some desktop browsers. Disabling it completely means handling each one. You cannot turn off Gemini globally from one settings menu — you have to address each location where it appears.

The steps differ because Gemini on your phone is a separate process, while Gemini in Google Search is a setting within Search itself. If you only want to stop it from appearing in your search results, you do not need to uninstall anything. If you want it gone entirely, you will need to uninstall the app and disable it in Search settings.

Key Takeaways

On Android phones, you can uninstall the Gemini app from your app drawer or disable it in Settings under Apps, which removes it from your home screen and search bar.
In Google Search settings on any device, you can turn off Gemini suggestions by opening Search settings and unchecking the Gemini option under "Gemini" or "AI overviews".
Disabling Gemini in Search does not delete your Google account or change your search results — it only stops the AI tool from appearing as an option.
On desktop, you cannot uninstall Gemini the way you can on mobile, but you can disable it in Chrome settings or straightforward avoid using it by not clicking the Gemini button.

How to remove the Gemini app from Android phones

On most Android phones, Gemini appears as a standalone app in your app drawer and as a button on your home screen or in the Google Search bar. To uninstall it, open your app drawer, find the Gemini app, and hold your finger on it until a menu appears. Select "Uninstall" from that menu. The app will be removed from your phone.

If uninstalling does not work — some phones come with Gemini pre-installed and locked — you can disable it instead. Go to Settings, then Apps (or process Manager on older phones), find Gemini in the list, tap it, and select "Disable" or "Turn off". This removes it from your home screen and search bar but keeps it on your phone taking up minimal space. You can re-enable it later from the same menu if you change your mind.

After you uninstall or disable the app, the Gemini button will no longer appear when you tap the Google Search bar. If it still appears, clear your Google Search app cache by going to Settings > Apps > Google > Storage > Clear Cache, then restart your phone.

How to turn off Gemini in Google Search on any device

Gemini suggestions can appear in Google Search results on phones, tablets, and desktop computers. To stop seeing them, open Google Search, tap or click the Settings icon (usually three horizontal lines or a gear icon), and select "Settings". Scroll down to find "Gemini" or "AI overviews" — the name varies by device and region.

Uncheck the box next to "Show Gemini suggestions" or toggle off "AI overviews". Save your changes. From that point forward, Google Search will not offer Gemini as an option when you search, though your regular search results will remain unchanged.

This setting applies only to the device and browser where you changed it. If you use Google Search on multiple devices, you will need to repeat these steps on each one. The setting does not sync across your devices automatically.

What happens to your data when you disable Gemini

Turning off Gemini does not delete any of your Google account information, search history, or saved preferences. Your Google account continues to work exactly as it did before. You can still use Gmail, Google Drive, Google Maps, and all other Google services normally.

Disabling Gemini only stops the AI tool from running on your device. Google still stores your search history according to your existing privacy settings — disabling Gemini does not change that. If you want to limit what Google stores about your searches, you can manage that separately in your Google Account privacy settings under "Web & App Activity".

Why you might want to disable Gemini

Gemini uses processing power and memory on your device, which can slow down older phones or tablets. If your device runs slowly or your battery drains quickly, disabling Gemini may help free up resources. Uninstalling the app itself saves more space and power than straightforward disabling it.

Some people disable Gemini because they prefer not to use AI tools, or because they do not want Google running additional processes in the background. Others turn it off because they find the Gemini button cluttering their search interface and prefer a simpler layout. There is no performance penalty to leaving it installed if you straightforward do not use it — the difference only matters if your device is already struggling with memory or battery life.

How to re-enable Gemini if you change your mind

If you uninstalled the Gemini app, you can reinstall it from the Google Play Store on Android. Search for "Google Gemini", tap the official app from Google LLC, and select "Install". Once installed, the Gemini button will reappear in your search bar and app drawer.

If you disabled Gemini instead of uninstalling it, go back to Settings > Apps > Gemini and select "Enable" or "Turn on". The app will become active again when ready. If you turned off Gemini in Google Search settings, open Search settings again and check the box next to "Show Gemini suggestions" to turn it back on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling Gemini make my phone faster?

Only if your phone is already low on memory or battery. Gemini uses a small amount of processing power when it is running. On newer phones with plenty of RAM, you will not notice a difference. On older phones or ones that are already struggling, uninstalling the app rather than just disabling it may help slightly.

Does Google know if I disable Gemini?

Google can see whether you have the Gemini app installed and whether you use Gemini features, but disabling it does not trigger any notification to Google. Your account continues to work normally. Disabling Gemini does not affect your relationship with Google or your access to other services.

Can I disable Gemini on my work phone or school device?

That depends on whether your organization has locked down your device. If your phone is managed by your employer or school, they may have restricted your ability to uninstall or disable apps. Contact your IT department or device administrator to ask whether Gemini can be disabled on your specific device.

If I disable Gemini in Search, will my search results change?

No. Disabling Gemini only removes the AI tool from appearing as an option — it does not change how Google ranks or displays your regular search results. Your searches will look and work exactly as they did before, just without the Gemini button or suggestions.

What is the difference between disabling and uninstalling Gemini?

Uninstalling removes the app completely from your phone and frees up storage space. Disabling keeps the app on your phone but turns it off so it does not run or appear on your home screen. Disabling uses slightly less storage than uninstalling, but uninstalling frees up more space and uses less battery. For most people, uninstalling is the better choice.

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.