How to Disable Annoying AI Pop-Ups in Google Docs
It happened to me: I opened a Google Doc to write an article, and I was immediately confronted with a text box inviting me to “write with Gemini.” I looked for some button to swipe away the garish AI display, but I could not find it. It made me mad.
Now, instead of writing the article I’m supposed to be working on, I am writing about how to get the AI pop-ups off of your Google Docs screen, since it took me some time to figure out. You’re welcome.
What is this monstrosity? Why won’t it just go away?
Image Credits:Screenshot from Google Docs
How to Remove the Gemini AI Interface
The first fix is pretty straightforward:
- Click “Gemini” on the top menu bar above your document.
- On the drop-down menu, select “bottom bar preferences.”
- You can choose to turn off the bottom bar, which will eliminate the AI box at the bottom of your screen.
Image Credits:Screenshot from Google Docs
Full disclosure: I was so enraged when I set out to find “bottom bar preferences” that I initially missed it entirely. Instead, I clicked “Ask something else” and asked Gemini to help me remove itself from my life. AI may not be human, but Gemini seemed to have some sort of survival instinct, as it advised me to click the “X” icon. That does not remove Gemini; it merely closes the conversation in which I was asking it how to turn itself off. Suspicious!
Image Credits:Screenshot from Google Docs
More Ways to Control AI Features
Other aggrieved Google Docs users have reported a “help me write” feature that hovers over your cursor while you work. This seems like something that could also disrupt one’s creative flow, so it’s worth addressing that proactively. Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” which is particularly relevant here.
Instead of disabling each individual AI feature, you can deactivate “smart features” across your Google Workspace via Gmail.
- First, navigate to your Gmail inbox.
- Find the gear icon for Settings and click it.
- Then, at the top of the menu, click “See all settings.” (While you’re here, consider picking out a fun theme for your inbox—it might lighten your mood!)
- After clicking “See all settings,” scroll down to find “Google Workspace smart features.” Click “Manage Workspace smart feature settings.”
Image Credits:Screenshot from Gmail
- Here, you can toggle off smart features in Google Workspace, including those distracting Gemini pop-ups in Google Docs. Additionally, you can manage other smart features depending on your preferences.
You should now be safe from annoying Gemini pop-ups that disrupt your writing process in Google Docs. You can rest easy.
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