How to Turn Off Google AI Overviews and Gemini (2026)

Google doesn't offer an official switch to turn off AI Overviews. The closest fix is the Web filter, or the udm=14 parameter set as your default search engine. For Gemini on your phone, you can limit its access through its Apps and Keep Activity settings.

Key facts at a glance:

• Google's Support page says AI Overviews are a core Search feature, like knowledge panels.
• The Web filter launched in May 2024.
• Gemini's deeper Android app access began on July 7, 2025.
• Google renamed Gemini Apps Activity to Keep Activity in August 2025.
• A Search Console opt out for site owners began testing on June 3, 2026.

Why You Can't Just Flip a Switch

I went hunting for the big red "off" button, so you don't have to. It doesn't exist.

Google treats AI Overviews like a built in page element. In its own words, they're a core feature, not an add on.

That matters because every fix below is a workaround. You're steering around the feature, not deleting it.

Even so, it's worth the effort. A German regional court ruled in June 2026 that Google is directly liable for false claims in its AI summaries, so a little skepticism is reasonable.

Which Method Should You Use?

Before the steps, let me give you the whole picture in one place. I'd rather you pick the right tool in ten seconds than try five.

The Web filter is a per search fix. It is very easy and highly reliable, but you repeat it every time, and it hides image and video blocks. A udm=14 default search engine lasts until you change it, takes one setup, and works well, though Google has never documented it as a stable feature.

The minus ai trick is a one off that is hit or miss, and it can hide useful AI related pages. Browser extensions are permanent and easy to install, but they are fragile and can break after a Google redesign.

The Search Labs toggle is the weakest option, because it doesn't remove AI Overviews outside Labs. Switching search engines is the only complete fix, but you lose Google's index.

The rest of this guide walks through each one, plus Gemini, AI Mode, and Gmail.

Method 1: Use the Web Filter

This is the fastest fix, and I'd start here. The Web filter shows plain blue links with no AI summary, and it needs no downloads.

Google's own Support page confirms it displays only text based links without features like AI Overviews.

Step by Step: Using the Web Tab

1. Run any search on Google.
2. Look under the search bar for the Web tab.
3. On desktop, click More if you don't see it.
4. Click Web, and the page reloads without the AI box.

The catch? You'll repeat this on every search. Also, the Web view strips out other blocks too, like videos and shopping results.

Method 2: Make It Permanent with udm=14

Clicking "Web" forever gets old fast. So here's the udm=14 parameter, which is how power users make it stick.

Adding &udm=14 to a search URL loads the Web view directly. Set it as your default search engine, and every address bar search skips the AI.

Search Engine Watch calls this the more durable workaround.

How to Set It Up in Chrome (Desktop)

1. Open Settings, then Search engine.
2. Click Manage search engines and site search.
3. Under Site search, click Add.
4. Name it Google Web and set the shortcut to @web.
5. Paste this URL: https://www.google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14
6. Click the three dots beside it and choose Make default.

Now every address bar search comes back clean.

How to Set It Up in Firefox

Firefox 140 and later can add a custom search engine directly from Settings, which is cleaner than older guides suggest.

Use the same URL as above, and make it your default.

What About iPhone, Safari, and Chrome Mobile?

This is where it gets annoying, so let me save you some time.

Chrome on iOS and Android won't let you type in a custom search URL, per Yahoo Tech. The workaround is TenBlueLinks, which sets up the Web engine for you.

Firefox mobile is easier, because it accepts a custom URL:

1. Tap the three dots, then Search.
2. Tap Default Search Engine, then Add Search Engine.
3. Name it AI Free Web and enter google.com/search?udm=14&q=%s.

Safari doesn't accept custom engines. On a Mac, GeoToolbox suggests a udm14.com bookmark instead.

One honest warning: Google has never documented udm=14 as a stable feature, so it could stop working someday.

Quick Tricks (With My Honest Ratings)

Sometimes you just want a fast, one off fix. These are hit or miss, and I'd rather say so now.

The minus AI trick: Add -ai to your query, like best trail shoes -ai. Proton notes it isn't guaranteed to work.

Browser extensions: Hide Google AI Overviews and Bye Bye, Google AI remove the summary automatically. However, they depend on Google's page layout, so they can break after a redesign.

The Search Labs toggle: Skip it. The fine print says turning it off doesn't disable AI Overviews outside of Labs.

How to Turn Off AI Mode in Chrome and Search

AI Mode is the separate, chat style tab in Search. It also shows up as a button in Chrome's address bar and on the new tab page.

Here's the part nobody tells you: some controls are experimental, and Chrome updates can bring the buttons back.

Remove the AI Mode Button in Chrome

On Windows 11 or macOS, you can hide the address bar and new tab buttons through Chrome's flags page. Pureinfotech lists four flags to switch off: AI Mode Omnibox entrypoint, AI Entrypoint Disabled on User Input, Omnibox Allow AI Mode Matches, and NTP Compose Entrypoint.

1. Type chrome://flags into the address bar.
2. Search for each flag above.
3. Set each one as the guide describes, then relaunch Chrome.

For IT Admins

Chrome has enterprise policies for this. UC Strategies reports that AIModeSettings can turn off AI Mode, and GenAiDefaultSettings can disable covered generative AI features more broadly.

If you want a quick fix instead, the Web filter and udm=14 methods above also bypass the AI Mode tab.

How to Turn Off Gemini on Your Phone

Gemini isn't only in search. It lives on your phone, and since July 2025 it can interact with apps like WhatsApp even if you had switched its activity off.

So let's lock it down properly.

Step by Step: Block Gemini's App Access

1. Open the Gemini app.
2. Tap your profile picture, then Apps.
3. Toggle off each app you don't want Gemini touching.

Do this before turning off activity. One privacy guide notes those toggles can grey out afterward.

Step by Step: Turn Off Keep Activity

1. In the Gemini app, tap your profile picture.
2. Open Gemini Apps Activity (now called Keep Activity).
3. Tap On, then choose Turn off or Turn off and delete activity.

You can also manage it at myactivity.google.com/product/gemini. Even with it off, Google may keep your chats for up to 72 hours.

Want Gemini Gone Entirely?

You can disable the app in Android's Settings > Apps, as Fox News explains. You can also switch your default assistant back to Google Assistant, though the exact path varies by phone.

How to Turn Off Smart Features in Gmail

Gmail's AI flavored extras fall under smart features. Google documents the controls on its smart features support page.

Step by Step: Gmail Smart Features

1. Open Gmail on your computer and go to settings.
2. In the General tab, scroll to Smart features.
3. Uncheck Turn on smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet.
4. Then open Google Workspace smart features and click Manage Workspace smart feature settings.
5. Toggle off what you don't want.

Here's the catch: Google says some features with their own on and off settings stay available even after you do this.

For Site Owners: Opting Your Content Out of Google AI

Maybe you run a website, and you want out of AI answers entirely. That's a different problem, so here's the short version.

Google's AI features guidance lists nosnippet, data-nosnippet, max-snippet, and noindex as your controls. The trade off is real, though. These also remove your normal snippet from regular results.

Also, blocking Google-Extended doesn't remove pages from AI Overviews.

The newer option is a Search Console control. Google says it won't be used as a ranking signal outside AI features. But opted out sites get no traffic or impressions from them, and the control is still rolling out beyond the UK.

Before you decide, it helps to understand the bigger picture. Our guides on how AI is changing SEO in 2025 and smarter SEO strategies for an AI driven search era show what you may gain or lose by staying in.

Should You Just Switch Search Engines?

Fair question. After all this tinkering, you might wonder whether fighting the product is worth it.

Honestly, sometimes it isn't. Comparison guides list switching to a privacy focused search engine as the only complete fix. You lose Google's index, sure. But you also lose the clutter.

That's exactly why I recommend Your Product Name. It gives you cleaner results, fewer interruptions, and real control, with no daily workarounds.

If you value digital privacy and a distraction free search experience, build your setup around a tool made for that.

Ready to stop fighting your search results? Try Your Product Name today and take your browsing back. You'll wonder why you waited.

FAQ: Turning Off Google AI

Can I permanently turn off AI Overviews?

No. Google has no official off switch for them. The closest permanent fix is setting a udm=14 custom search engine as your default, which loads the Web view on every address bar search.

Does adding -ai to my search work?

Sometimes. It excludes the term "ai" from results, which often suppresses the AI box. However, Proton notes it isn't guaranteed and can hide useful pages.

Does the Web filter hide anything besides AI?

Yes. It shows text only links, so you'll lose video, image, and shopping blocks, per Google's Support page.

How do I stop Gemini from reading my WhatsApp?

Open the Gemini app, tap your profile picture, go to Apps, and toggle off the apps you want blocked. Alternatively, disable the Gemini app in your phone's settings.

Is udm=14 safe to rely on long term?

It works today, but Google hasn't documented it as a stable interface, per GeoToolbox. Treat it as a handy workaround and keep the Web tab as your backup.

Can I turn off AI Overviews on iPhone?

There's no iPhone wide setting. Use the Web tab, a udm14.com bookmark, Firefox with a custom engine, or switch your default search engine.

Final Thoughts

Let's recap, shall we?

You can't flip one switch to kill Google AI. But you now have a real toolkit: the Web filter, a udm=14 default, Gemini's privacy settings, and Gmail's smart features controls.

Start with the Web tab tonight. Then set up the custom search engine tomorrow. Small steps, big payoff.

Go reclaim your search. You've got this.