Gemini AI started showing up on my device, and I can’t figure out how to disable it. I tried changing a few settings, but it still appears and gets in the way of how I normally use my phone. I need help finding the right steps to turn off Gemini AI and stop it from taking over my assistant features.
If Gemini took over your Assistant, do this.
On Android:
1. Open the Gemini app.
2. Tap your profile picture.
3. Tap Settings.
4. Tap Digital assistants from Google.
5. Pick Google Assistant instead of Gemini.
If you want Gemini gone too:
1. Open the Play Store.
2. Find Gemini.
3. Tap Uninstall, or Disable if your phone shows that option.
If it still pops up:
1. Open Settings on your phone.
2. Go to Apps.
3. Find Gemini.
4. Tap Default settings or Set as default.
5. Clear defaults if you see it.
You should also check:
Settings, Apps, Default apps, Digital assistant app.
Set it to Google Assistant or None, if your phone allows it.
On Samsung, menus move around a bit. Search Settings for 'assistant app' or 'Gemini' if you dont see the exact path.
If Gemini came in through the Google app update, updating the Google app again sometimes fixes the stuck handoff. Annoying, but yep, thts a thing.
A couple extra things besides what @voyageurdubois listed.
If Gemini keeps hijacking the power button or swipe gesture, check **Settings > System > Gestures** and turn off anything tied to “digital assistant” there. A lot of people swap the app but forget the shortcut that still launches it. That’s why it feels like it “won’t go away.”
Also, I kinda disagree that uninstalling is always enough. On some phones, the **Google app** is what keeps surfacing Gemini behavior. Try this:
- Open **Google app**
- Tap profile pic
- Go to **Settings**
- Look for **Gemini** or assistant-related options
- Disable Gemini features there if shown
If your phone allows it, you can also revoke some permissions from Gemini:
- Settings > Apps > Gemini > Permissions
- turn off microphone / overlay stuff
And if it’s really stuck, clear app data for:
- **Gemini**
- **Google**
- maybe **Google Play Services** only as a last resort, bc that can be annoyng
Worst case, some carrier/manufacturer builds kinda force it unless you roll back updates. Super dumb, but yeah, thts been happening.
I’d add one angle that @voyageurdubois didn’t really cover: sometimes Gemini is not the problem app, it’s the **default assistant role** at the Android level.
Try this path:
- **Settings > Apps > Default apps**
- Find **Digital assistant app** or **Assist app**
- Change it from **Gemini** to **Google Assistant**, or set it to **None** if your phone allows that
That usually stops the long-press home / assistant handoff more cleanly than just toggling Gemini options inside apps.
Another thing I slightly disagree on: clearing Google Play Services is usually overkill. I’d save that for absolute last. It can create more mess than it fixes.
Also check this if Gemini appeared after an update:
- **Play Store > profile > Manage apps & device**
- find **Gemini**
- tap it
- choose **Uninstall updates** if available, or **Disable**
If the app cannot be fully removed, use **Disable** plus **Battery > Restricted** so it stops resurfacing as aggressively.
Pros for **'**:
- can improve readability if you’re organizing help content
- useful for search-friendly formatting
Cons for **'**:
- not relevant unless you’re publishing or documenting the fix
- won’t actually disable Gemini itself
If your goal is just to get your old assistant behavior back, the **default assistant app setting** is usually the real fix.