How can I turn off Google Gemini™ and AI features in Google Docs™?

Why You Might Want to Turn Off Gemini™ AI Features

Google Gemini™ and its suite of AI features in Google Docs™ can certainly be useful for brainstorming, drafting, or refining content quickly. Tools like “Help me write,” summarization, and in-context suggestions aim to boost productivity.

However, for writers and anyone needing to dive into deep work, the constant presence and proactive nature of these AI tools can be a significant distraction. If your goal is sustained focus and uninterrupted creative flow, you might find these features more disruptive than helpful.

The Surprising Solution: It’s Hidden in Gmail™!

If you’re looking to reclaim a more focused writing environment by disabling features like “Help me write,” the “refine” suggestions, and the general Gemini side panel in Google Docs, you might be surprised where the setting is located. Weirdly, the primary control for these smart features across Google Workspace, including Docs, is managed within your Gmail™ settings.

Step-by-Step Guide to Disabling Gemini™ in Google Docs™:

Here’s how to turn them off:

1. Open Gmail™ on your computer.
2. Click the Settings icon (the cogwheel ⚙️) in the top right corner.
3. Select See all settings.
4. Ensure you are in the General tab (this is usually the default). Scroll down until you find the section titled “Smart features and personalization in other Google products” (the exact wording might vary slightly, e.g., “Google Workspace smart features”).
5. Within this section, you should see a toggle or a link like “Manage Workspace smart feature settings” or simply options to enable/disable these features.
6. Toggle off the smart features or personalization options that control features across Google products. This action is what disables Gemini in Google Docs. There might not be a specific “Gemini” toggle, but rather a broader control for smart features.

(Optional: You might need to refresh Google Docs or close and reopen your document for the changes to take full effect.)

By turning these settings off in Gmail™, you should find that the Gemini integrations, including the “Help me write” button and other AI-driven suggestions, are disabled in Google Docs™. This will provide a cleaner, less intrusive interface, allowing for a more focused writing experience.

Note: Disabling these smart features in Gmail will likely turn them off across other integrated Google Workspace apps where they appear, not just Google Docs.

Regain Your Focus

While AI tools offer exciting possibilities, having control over when and how they appear is crucial for maintaining productivity, especially for tasks that demand deep concentration. By following these steps, you can tailor your Google Docs™ environment to better suit your workflow.

Happy (focused) writing!