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How To Turn Off Gemini, Galaxy AI And AI Overviews

You can switch an Android phone back to Google Assistant, stop Gemini saving your chats, and turn off most Galaxy AI features in Samsung settings. Google's AI Overviews can't be fully switched off, but you can skip them by choosing the Web results tab. Here are the steps from Google's and Samsung's help pages.

Last checked: 15 October 2026

Menus change from phone to phone and update to update. If a step doesn't match exactly, look for a similar word, or search your Settings app for it.

How Do I Turn Off Gemini On Android?

On many Android phones, Gemini has replaced Google Assistant, so it pops up when you say "Hey Google" or hold the power button. You have a few choices.

Switch Back To Google Assistant

  1. Open the Gemini app.
  2. Tap your profile picture or initial.
  3. Tap Switch to Google Assistant, then tap Switch.

Now "Hey Google" and the power button bring up the older Google Assistant instead. Google is gradually moving phones over to Gemini, so this option may not be offered on every phone.

Stop Gemini Opening By Accident

  • Power button: in your phone's Settings, look under System or Gestures for "Press and hold power button" and choose the power menu instead of the assistant.
  • "Hey Google": in the Gemini app settings, turn off Hey Google & Voice Match.
  • Lock screen: in the Gemini app settings, turn off Gemini on the lock screen.

Stop Gemini Saving Your Chats

  1. Go to gemini.google.com or open the Gemini app, then open Settings & help and then Activity.
  2. Choose Turn off to stop new chats being saved to your account, or Turn off and delete activity to remove past ones too.

Google says chats may still be kept for up to 72 hours to run the service and keep it safe.

Can it be fully removed? Not always. On some phones the Gemini app can be uninstalled, but Google's help page warns that deleting the app doesn't automatically stop Gemini being your phone's assistant, so switch the assistant first. Gemini also appears inside other Google apps like Gmail and Chrome, and there's no single switch that turns it off everywhere.

How Do I Turn Off Galaxy AI On A Samsung Phone?

  1. Open Settings and tap Galaxy AI. On some phones it's under Advanced features, then Galaxy AI or Advanced intelligence.
  2. Tap each feature you don't want, such as Call assist or Writing assist, and turn its switch off.
  3. For extra privacy, turn on Process data only on device. This stops Galaxy AI sending your data to the cloud. Some features will stop working or work less well.
  4. Restart your phone so the changes take effect.

Samsung says some AI features are built into the system and can't be turned off. Some others are switched off inside individual apps, such as Phone, Gallery, Camera or Messages, in that app's own settings.

Can I Turn Off AI Overviews In Google Search?

AI Overviews are the AI-written summaries at the top of some Google results. They can't be turned off. Google calls them a core part of Search. What you can do instead:

  • After you search, tap Web in the row of options under the search box (you may need to tap More first). This shows plain links only, without AI Overviews.
  • Scroll past the overview to the ordinary links below.
  • If you joined Google's Search Labs experiments, you can turn off AI in Search in Labs. This doesn't remove AI Overviews themselves.

Whatever you decide, AI summaries can be wrong. For phone numbers, health or money, always check the official website. See How to check phone numbers and websites an AI gives you.

Common Questions

Is it safe to just leave these features on?

Yes, for most people. They're not harmful in themselves. The main thing is to remember AI answers can be wrong, and to keep private details out of them.

Why does Gemini keep opening by itself?

Usually because it's set as your phone's assistant and gets triggered by a long press of the power button or by something that sounds like "Hey Google". Changing those two settings normally fixes it.

Can I turn off AI on an iPhone?

Yes. On iPhones that have Apple Intelligence, open Settings, then Apple Intelligence & Siri, and turn Apple Intelligence off.

New to all this? Our free AI Starter Guide walks you through the basics, and you can print it.

Sources

Last checked 16 October 2026.

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Also useful: Gemini: what it is and how to start

About The Author

Robert Woolford is the founder of exonexo, a simple guide to AI tools, AI news and scam safety for beginners. Spotted a mistake or have a question? Email info@exonexo.com. Read our Editorial Policy.

Updated 24 October 2026