How to turn off AI in your Google Docs

2026-06-18 · Source: AI News & Artificial Intelligence | TechCrunch · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Software Development & Engineering · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, quick

Summary

Google Docs users encountering intrusive "write with Gemini" AI pop-ups can disable these features through two primary methods. The first involves navigating to the "Gemini" menu in Google Docs, selecting "bottom bar preferences," and toggling off the bottom bar to remove the AI box. A more comprehensive solution, preventing various "smart features" across Google Workspace, is accessible via Gmail settings. Users must go to Gmail's "See all settings," scroll to "Google Workspace smart features," and then "Manage Workspace smart feature settings" to disable the relevant toggle. This approach addresses individual AI features like the "help me write" hover, offering a centralized way to maintain an uninterrupted writing environment.

Key takeaway

For professionals using Google Docs who find AI pop-ups disruptive, you should proactively disable these features to preserve your focus. Either use the in-document Gemini menu to turn off the bottom bar or, for a more comprehensive solution, navigate to Gmail's "See all settings" to manage and disable "Google Workspace smart features." This prevents a "whac-o-mole" approach, ensuring a cleaner, uninterrupted writing environment across your Google applications.

Key insights

Users can disable intrusive AI features in Google Docs and across Google Workspace to maintain an uninterrupted workflow.

Principles

• Centralized settings offer broader control over integrated features.
• Individual feature toggles provide granular, but less efficient, control.

Method

AI pop-ups in Google Docs can be disabled by either turning off the "bottom bar" via the in-document Gemini menu or by managing "Google Workspace smart features" within Gmail's "See all settings" to disable them system-wide.

In practice

• Turn off the Gemini bottom bar in Google Docs for immediate relief.
• Disable Google Workspace smart features via Gmail settings for broader control.

Topics

• Google Docs
• Gemini AI
• Google Workspace
• Gmail Settings
• Productivity Tools
• User Interface Control

Best for: General Interest

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by AI News & Artificial Intelligence | TechCrunch.