How to Disable Google’s Gemini in Chrome
If you’re using Google’s Chrome browser on your desktop, there might be a small AI model called Gemini Nano running on your computer. This AI model started auto-downloading for Chrome users in 2024 when Google integrated it into the browser and uses about 4 GB of space. While this isn’t necessarily a problem, some users may not know about it or prefer to turn it off.
Disabling Gemini Nano
- To disable Gemini Nano in Chrome, open the browser on your computer and click the “More” menu represented by three vertical dots in the top right corner. Then go to Settings, System, and toggle “On-device AI” off.
- The Privacy Guy report highlighted how many users were unaware of this feature due to a flood of AI services and features across the tech industry that have been difficult for users to keep up with. If you directly uninstall the Gemini Nano file in the directory, Chrome will silently redownload it the next time the browser reboots.
A Google spokesperson explains that the company started rolling out the On-device AI toggle in February so users can turn off features if they choose and remove the model. They state: “Once disabled, the model will no longer download or update.” Additionally, the system is designed to automatically uninstall Gemini Nano if your device runs low on resources.
Google’s Intent with Gemini Nano
Parisa Tabriz, Chrome’s general manager, emphasized in a post on X that integrating Gemini Nano “powers important security capabilities like on-device scam detection and developer APIs without sending your data to the cloud.”
However, for users who use Chrome because it is the world’s largest and most recognizable browser and don’t follow every granular update, the lack of an in-your-face notification about a large AI model file running on their computer may be upsetting.
Privacy Considerations
An on-device model could pose a hidden minefield for privacy. Longtime security and compliance consultant Davi Ottenheimer notes that he follows Chrome updates closely but might have missed the Gemini Nano integration. “An on-device model could be a hidden minefield,” he says.
Google initially launched the Gemini Nano integration in 2024, which shows that at least initially, the feature wasn’t conceived as something users would interact with.
To remove Gemini Nano from Chrome doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Local processing is a more private way to utilize AI capabilities. If you disable On-device AI, Google’s features like AI-enabled scam detection will cease to function. However, blocking this route could have various outcomes when interacting with non-Google web services in the browser.
Alternatives
If neither option seems right for your privacy concerns or usage preferences, there’s always an alternative: Use a different browser.
Key Takeaways
- The Gemini Nano AI model started auto-downloading in Chrome users after Google integrated it into the browser in 2024 and uses about 4 GB of space.
- To disable Gemini Nano, toggle “On-device AI” off in Settings, System.
- Local processing is a more private way to utilize AI capabilities, but turning off On-device AI could affect interactions with non-Google web services.
- For privacy concerns or usage preferences, using a different browser might be an alternative solution.
Originally published at wired.com. Curated by AI Maestro.
Stay ahead of AI. Get the most important stories delivered to your inbox — no spam, no noise.