Gemini has become Google's new artificial intelligence hubThis is the name of its language models, its chatbot, and also the integrated Android assistant that is gradually replacing Google Assistant. This integration is so deep that on many phones it activates as the main assistant without the user having explicitly chosen it, even leveraging access to apps like WhatsApp (for example, Send WhatsApp messages by voice) or Messages.
If you prefer to have more control and less AI involved in your daily life, it makes sense that you would want deactivate Gemini Or at the very least, minimize what it can do and the amount of data it collects. While it's not possible to completely disable it in all cases, there are plenty of settings that allow you to change the default assistant, limit its activity, restrict sensitive permissions, and, in corporate environments, block its use from the administration console.
What exactly is Gemini on Android and why is it so difficult to turn off?
Gemini is not just another app that you can install or uninstall without consequencesIt is the umbrella under which Google groups both its generative AI models and the chatbot accessible from gemini.google.com, the mobile app and the new assistant that is invoked from Android (for example, with the power button or a gesture on screen).
On many Android phones, Gemini already replaces Google Assistant as the main assistant.And Google has announced that it will continue to migrate features from the old Assistant to this new environment with generative AI. This means that even if you change some settings, part of the system's logic will still be designed to work with Gemini and will tend to encourage you to use it.
The situation is further complicated by the way in which it manages the data.On personal Workspace accounts without an enterprise license, Google states that conversations with Gemini-enabled apps may be reviewed by human staff and used to improve products, services, and machine learning technologies. In other words, your chats and certain context may end up feeding AI models.
In contrast, in Workspace environments with Gemini as the main service (Business, Enterprise, Education editions, etc.), Google promises enterprise-level protections: content is not manually reviewed or used to train generative models outside the domain without permission. Even so, activity is retained for a certain period, and there are technical limits that cannot be exceeded.
Furthermore, since July 2025, concerns about privacy have intensified.Gemini can automatically interact with apps like WhatsApp even when the "App Activity with Gemini" option is disabled. This has raised concerns about how reliable the AI can be in the background and how it remains connected to your apps.
What data can Gemini handle and what are its usage limits?
When you use the Gemini app or website with a personal account, Google acknowledges that human reviewers may read your chats. and that this data can be used to train and improve AI. It also leaves the door open to sharing certain data with third parties, either in aggregate or according to their policies, something that many users find unwelcome.
Even with activity settings turned off, Google retains information for up to 72 hours. to ensure the service functions properly. These temporary conversations do not appear on the "Activity in Apps with Gemini" page, but they continue to exist at the system level during that time, which limits the possibility of complete user control.
In Google Workspace and Education accounts, the operation is more nuanced.There, Gemini's behavior depends on whether it is offered as a main service or as an additional service: in the first case, the Workspace Terms of Service apply, with enterprise-level data protection and no external model training; in the second, Google's standard terms apply, which are more permissive regarding data use.
App activity with Gemini has its own configurationWhen the "Preserve activity" setting is enabled, conversations are saved for 18 months by default, although the administrator can change the automatic deletion to 3, 18, or 36 months, or completely disable saving. However, while history is enabled, Gemini app data is archived separately from other Workspace histories.
There are also usage limits to ensure that the infrastructure does not become overloaded.The number of instructions you can send daily depends on the model, the complexity of the requests, the size of the attachments, and the duration of the conversations. Limits are calculated globally across all devices where you use the Gemini apps: web, mobile app, and Gemini in Chrome all count towards the same limit.
Gemini as a main service, additional service and its different editions
In the business and education world, Gemini is distributed in different ways depending on the license.In many editions of Google Workspace (Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Essentials, Nonprofits, Frontline, etc.) the Gemini app can function as the main service with enhanced data protection.
When Gemini acts as the primary service, the Workspace Terms of Service apply. or the offline agreement the organization may have. In these cases, Google commits to not subjecting the content to human review or using it to train generative models outside the client's domain without explicit permission, which is especially important for businesses and public administrations.
In other editions, Gemini is offered as an additional Google service. (for example, with Android Enterprise, Cloud Identity, Chrome Enterprise, G Suite, Workspace Individual, or other basic variants). Google's Terms of Service and the specific Privacy Notice for Gemini Apps apply, which includes the possibility of human review of chats and their use to improve AI services.
In addition to the distinction between primary and additional, Google has created levels of access to AI. such as AI Expanded Access and AI Ultra Access. These plans increase the daily limits for instructions, the number of audio summaries, the number of generated images, the volume of investigations with Deep Research, music tracks, videos with Veo, and other advanced features.
Something similar happens in the educational field with Gemini for EducationThe Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, and Education Plus editions may include Gemini as the core service, with enterprise-level data protection for students and teachers of all ages, while the Google AI Pro for Education add-on adds expanded access to premium models and features, though only for those over 18.
How to disable or limit Gemini on an Android phone step by step
Most users want to stop seeing Gemini in every search or when they press and hold a button on their mobile phone.Although you can't completely remove it from the system, you can give prominence back to another assistant (classic Google Assistant, Alexa, or none) and block much of the AI's activity and permissions.
First move: change the default assistant so that Gemini doesn't openOn many Android devices, you can do this from the system settings by following this general path (the specific names may vary depending on the manufacturer): Settings – Apps – three-dot menu – Default apps – Assistant & voice input. Once there, select “Google Assistant,” “Alexa,” or even “None” instead of Gemini, so that Google's AI isn't activated by default. If you're looking for the specific option for disable google assistantThat route is the usual one in most layers.
Another quick way, if you already have the Gemini app installed, is to use its own internal settingsOpen the app, tap your avatar or profile picture in the top right corner, go to "Settings," and look for the "Google Assistants" section. On that screen, you can select the classic "Google Assistant" as your assistant instead of Gemini. This change is reversible, but it's crucial if you want to prevent the app from launching automatically again later.
Once you've changed the assistant, it's also a good idea to disable specific app activity with Gemini.From the app, tap your profile picture again and go to “Gemini App Activity.” There you’ll find the option to turn it off. If you’re accessing it from a browser, you can search “My Gemini Activity” on Google to reach the centralized page where this data is managed. If you want AI forget historyThat section is the starting point.
On that page, the system usually offers you two options.Simply select "Disable" to prevent further interactions from being saved, or "Disable and delete activity," which also erases the accumulated history. If you want to minimize AI activity, the second option is recommended, and this will also clear any previously stored conversations.
However, remember that Google will keep a temporary copy of the conversations for up to 72 hours. Even if you've deactivated the activity. This is done, according to the company itself, to be able to offer the service technically, but it limits the feeling that your data has disappeared immediately.
Advanced control: permissions, quick access, and partial uninstallation
If you're particularly concerned about privacy, simply changing the assistant and disabling the activity isn't enough.Gemini and other Google services still rely heavily on permissions granted to Google itself or its system components. Fortunately, you can restrict many of these permissions through Android settings.
Start with critical permissions such as location and microphone.Go to Settings – Apps – Google – Permissions and review each permission individually: location, microphone, camera, contacts, SMS, etc. Remove any permissions you don't want Google to use. While these permissions don't apply exclusively to Gemini, they will limit what the AI can do with your most sensitive information when running through your Google account. If you want to learn how to control these permissions, follow the instructions in the Google app. Gemini voice commandsThat permission management is key.
Another frequent source of unwanted activations is physical shortcutssuch as the power button or the additional side button. On Samsung phones, for example, you can go to Settings – Advanced features – Function button and change the long press action so that it no longer invokes the Google Assistant. This way, even if Gemini remains installed, you'll avoid accidental launches.
Some users opt for a more radical solution: uninstalling the Gemini app or disabling it using developer toolsOn many devices, the app is listed as updatable from Google Play, so you can uninstall updates and keep the minimum version. Using ADB tools on your computer (so-called "dev tools"), you can even disable some features on a package-by-package basis, although this is a technical process, not intended for the average user, and could affect other parts of the system.
Even if you manage to uninstall or disable parts of Gemini, it's important to assume that Google will continue to push its AI assistant.In future versions of Android, integrations, new options, or settings may reappear that put it back in the foreground, so it's advisable to periodically review the assistant, activity, and permission settings after major updates.
Gemini on business Android phones and work accounts
On Android devices managed by an organization, the key lies not with the end user, but with the Workspace administrator.The Gemini mobile app is enabled by default for those with access to the organization's AI, although some features are not available in the work profile, and if you try to use the app in that profile, you are redirected to the mobile browser with gemini.google.com.
Administrators do not have exclusive control over the mobile app.However, it can be blocked through device management. Using app management policies, it's possible to prevent Gemini from being installed or running on corporate mobile devices, which is very useful if the company's internal policy restricts the use of assistants with generative AI.
Furthermore, in Android Enterprise environments, separate job profiles can be defined. where personal and corporate apps are kept separate. In this system, the administrator can specifically allow or prohibit the Gemini app on the work profile, while leaving it unencumbered on the employee's personal profile.
If the work profile is managed with strict policies, the user may notice that Gemini does not open or that it redirects to the web.That's a sign that the organization has decided to limit the AI assistant within the corporate environment, which is perfectly reasonable when dealing with sensitive or regulated data.
How to disable Gemini from the Google Workspace console
When you manage an organization with Google Workspace, you have considerably more leeway to control the Gemini rollout.From the administration console you can decide who has access to the app, whether it is considered a core or additional service, and which organizational units can use it.
To begin with, access is managed in the generative AI section of the console.There, in the “Gemini App”, you’ll find the “User Access” option. You can check a box to allow all users to access the app, regardless of their Workspace license, or restrict access to only those with specific licenses that include Gemini.
If you want to scale down the deployment, you can apply the configuration by organizational unit or configuration group.Organizational units typically correspond to departments (e.g., Finance, Sales, IT), while groups allow for more granular exceptions. Group configurations override organizational unit configurations, so it's important to carefully plan which groups will have access to AI and which will not.
The most direct way to disable Gemini is through the "Service Status" option.In the console, under Generative AI – Gemini App, you can select “On for everyone” or “Off for everyone,” and also apply these states only to specific organizational units or groups. Disabling the service prevents affected users from using the Gemini app or accessing its core features.
It's worth remembering that for the Gemini app to work on Android, you need to have the Search and Assistant service enabled.If this service is turned off at the organizational level, Android users will not be able to use the Gemini app even if they have it installed on their phone.
Managing Gemini's conversation history in organizations
The other major lever of control in corporate environments is Gemini's conversation history.This parameter determines whether and for how long conversations with AI are saved before they are automatically deleted.
History is enabled by default and can only be modified by a Workspace administratorEnd users cannot change this setting globally. From the admin console, in the “Gemini Conversation History” section, the administrator can select or deselect the “Enable Gemini Conversation History” checkbox. If you need instructions for delete Gemini historyThat section is the one that will allow you to define retention policies.
If history is enabled, a retention period can be set. The retention period can be 3, 18, or 36 months, with 18 months being the default and 3 months the minimum. After this time, conversations are automatically deleted. When the administrator enables and then disables the history, previously stored conversations are retained until the configured retention period expires.
When history is turned off, users lose access to their previous conversations.Once a chat is closed, there's no way to access it again, and although Google keeps a copy for up to 72 hours for technical reasons, that activity doesn't appear in the "Activity in Apps with Gemini" section. Furthermore, when history is turned off, Gemini can't access certain integrations with other Workspace apps, which reduces its functionality.
For now, not even advanced administrators can delete individual conversationsData deletion is managed on a large scale based on retention periods. This necessitates careful planning of data retention policies to comply with applicable regulations in each sector and country.
Gemini in Chrome and in Google Cloud products
Beyond mobile, Gemini is also integrated into the Chrome browser and various Google Cloud products. such as BigQuery, Looker, Colab or Code Assist, so disabling it on Android does not mean you will stop seeing it in other work environments.
Gemini in Chrome is available by default for users who have access to the Gemini app.provided they meet certain conditions: using Chrome in the United States, being over 18 years old, having English (US) as the default browser language, and working from devices such as Chromebook Plus, Windows, macOS, or iOS. During this initial phase, some compliance certifications do not yet apply to Gemini in Chrome. On some devices, it also comes integrated into the android lock screen, which increases the activation pathways.
For businesses using Chrome Enterprise, there's the GeminiSettings tool, which allows you to disable Gemini in Chrome while maintaining access to the gemini.google.com website and mobile apps. This is useful when you want to allow AI only in specific contexts and prevent it from activating in every browser tab.
In the Google Cloud environment, deactivation is done through the APIs and Services console.To limit Gemini in products like Code Assist, Looker, or Colab, the administrator can disable the corresponding API, for example, cloudaicompanion.googleapis.com. This completely disables many of the AI assistance features integrated into those tools.
After that, you can go to the “Gemini Manager” within the Cloud console. and disable, one by one, the products that are not intended to be used with AI. This approach allows you to have, for example, Looker without recommendations generated by Gemini, or Colab without automatic code suggestions, adapting the experience to the internal policies of each organization.
Gemini for Education and age-based control
In the education sector, Google has launched Gemini for Education, a version designed for schools, colleges, and universities.The Gemini app is offered here as the main service, with data protections aligned with the needs of the educational community, and may be available to students of all ages, although some features are reserved for those over 18.
Google Workspace for Education customers can access Gemini in two ways: through the Education Fundamentals, Standard or Plus editions (where the app operates as the main service) or through additional licenses such as Google AI Pro for Education, which expand the number of daily instructions, enable more Deep Research and increase the limits of generating images, music or video.
In this context, access to certain functions varies depending on the user's age.Google regularly publishes age-based access charts and updates the information (for example, on December 19, 2025, the details of which features are permitted for minors and adults were reviewed). School administrators can use these parameters to ensure that only appropriate students access the most advanced AI capabilities.
As in other environments, activity from Apps with Gemini in Education is retained by default for 18 monthsUnless the automatic deletion policy is changed to 3 or 36 months, or the history is disabled, the educational domain administrator sets these global rules and, therefore, ultimately decides how much of a record student interactions with AI leave.
For centers that prefer a conservative approach, it is perfectly possible to restrict the use of Gemini., disable the app for students, limit it to teaching staff only, or simply reduce history retention to decrease the volume of data stored long-term.
Taken together, the expansion of Gemini as the core of Google's AI is changing the way we interact with Android, Workspace apps, and Google Cloud services.While it's not always possible to completely remove it, understanding the default assistant settings, activity, permissions, history, and administrative controls allows you to reclaim a significant amount of privacy and decide to what extent you want Google's AI to be part of your digital life.