Google's AI mode is not a single switch — it's several different features spread across different apps and settings

Google has added AI tools to Search, Gmail, Docs, and other products over the past year. These features include things like AI-generated summaries in Search results, writing suggestions in Gmail and Docs, and image generation tools. If you want to turn these off, you need to know which app you're using and where that specific setting lives, because there's no master "AI mode" button that controls all of them.

The steps below cover the most common places where Google's AI features show up. You may not have all of these turned on — some are only available in certain countries or to certain account types — so you'll only need to disable the ones you actually see.

Key Takeaways

  • Google's AI features are scattered across different apps, so you'll need to turn them off separately in Search, Gmail, Docs, and other products.
  • In Google Search, you can disable AI summaries and the "Gemini" sidebar by unchecking boxes in Search settings.
  • In Gmail and Google Docs, writing suggestions can be turned off in the Tools menu under "Writing assistance" or similar options.
  • Image generation and other experimental features may only appear if you're in a country or region where Google has rolled them out.
  • Some AI features require you to sign out of your Google account or use Incognito mode to fully disable them.

Disable AI summaries in Google Search

Google Search now shows AI-generated summaries at the top of some search results. These summaries pull information from multiple websites and present it in a paragraph. If you don't want to see them, you can turn them off in your Search settings.

Go to google.com and click the gear icon in the bottom right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click General. Scroll down until you see a section labeled AI overviews or SGE (Search Generative Experience). Uncheck the box next to it. Click Save at the bottom of the page.

If you don't see this option, it means Google hasn't rolled out AI summaries in your region yet, or your account type doesn't have access to it. You can still proceed to the other sections below to disable AI features in other Google products.

Turn off the Gemini sidebar in Google Search

Google also added a sidebar on the right side of Search results that shows a chatbot called Gemini. This sidebar appears on desktop and lets you ask follow-up questions about your search. If you want to remove it, you can disable it in the same settings area.

In Google Search settings (following the steps above), look for an option labeled Gemini sidebar or Generative AI sidebar. Uncheck the box. If you see a toggle instead of a checkbox, click it to turn it off. Save your changes.

On mobile devices, the Gemini sidebar may not appear at all, or it may be controlled through a different setting in the Google app itself. If you see a Gemini button or icon in the Google app on your phone, tap it and look for settings or preferences to disable it.

Disable writing suggestions in Gmail and Google Docs

Gmail and Google Docs both offer AI-powered writing suggestions that appear as you type. These suggestions can help with grammar, tone, or completing sentences, but you can turn them off if you prefer to write without them.

In Gmail, open any email you're composing. Click the three-dot menu icon in the bottom right corner of the compose window. Look for an option called Writing assistance, Smart Compose, or Help me write. Click it to toggle it off. This setting usually applies to all your emails going forward.

In Google Docs, open any document. Click Tools in the top menu. Select Writing assistance or Help me write. A panel will open on the right side. Look for a toggle or checkbox to turn it off. You can also disable specific features like grammar suggestions separately if you want to keep some but not others.

Turn off image generation in Google products

Google has added the ability to generate images in some of its products, including Google Docs, Sheets, and the Gemini chatbot. This feature is not available everywhere yet, but if you see an image generation button or option, you can disable it.

In Google Docs, click Tools and then Preferences. Look for a section about experimental features or AI features. Uncheck any boxes related to image generation. In Gemini (the standalone chatbot at gemini.google.com), you may see image generation as one of the available tools. This cannot be disabled per se, but you can simply choose not to use it by not clicking the image generation button.

If you don't see these options, image generation may not be available in your region or on your account type yet.

Disable AI features across your entire Google account

If you want to turn off AI features more broadly, you can manage them through your Google Account settings. This won't disable every AI feature everywhere, but it will give you control over which experimental features Google shows you.

Go to myaccount.google.com and click Manage your Google Account at the top. Click the Data & Privacy tab. Scroll down to Web & App Activity and click it. You'll see a toggle for Web & App Activity. Turning this off will prevent Google from storing your activity, which can reduce the personalization of AI features (though it won't disable them entirely).

You can also go to myaccount.google.com, click Data & Privacy, and look for Generative AI features or Experimental features. If this section exists for your account, you can toggle off any features listed there. Not all accounts have this section yet.

Use Incognito mode to avoid AI features temporarily

If you want to use Google Search or other Google products without AI features showing up, you can use Incognito mode (also called Private mode on some browsers). In Incognito mode, Google doesn't store your activity, and some AI features may not appear.

Open a new Incognito window by pressing Ctrl + Shift + N on Windows or Cmd + Shift + N on Mac. On mobile, open your browser's menu and select New Incognito Tab or New Private Tab. Search as normal. Some AI features like summaries may still appear, but personalized suggestions and the Gemini sidebar are less likely to show up.

This is a temporary solution — your settings will go back to normal when you close the Incognito window and return to your regular browsing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling AI features affect my search results or email?

No. Turning off AI summaries, writing suggestions, or the Gemini sidebar will not change the actual search results or emails you receive. You'll still see the same websites and messages — you just won't see the AI-generated summaries or suggestions layered on top of them.

Can I disable AI features on my phone but keep them on my computer?

Yes. Most of these settings are tied to your Google Account, so they sync across devices. However, if you change a setting on your phone, it will affect your computer too. If you want different settings on different devices, you would need to use separate Google accounts.

What if I don't see the AI features mentioned in this guide?

Google rolls out new features gradually, and not all features are available in all countries or to all account types. If you don't see a feature, it may not be available to you yet. You can check back later, or you can contact Google Support to ask whether a specific feature is available in your region.

Do I need to disable AI features to protect my privacy?

Disabling AI features won't significantly improve your privacy. Google collects data about your searches and emails regardless of whether AI features are on or off. If privacy is your main concern, you may want to review your Google Account privacy settings separately or consider using a different search engine.

Can I turn AI features back on after disabling them?

Yes. You can follow the same steps in reverse to turn any of these features back on. Go back to the settings where you disabled them and check the boxes or toggle the switches back on.