How to Control AI Features on Your Smartphone
Users can adjust settings on iPhones, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel devices to limit or disable unwanted artificial intelligence features.
Smartphone users increasingly encounter artificial intelligence integrated into their devices, from AI-generated search summaries to virtual assistant suggestions. While these features can offer convenience, many users seek ways to manage or disable them. Fortunately, settings on popular operating systems like iOS and Android provide options to customize or turn off various AI functionalities.
Managing Google Search and AI Overviews
Google's AI Overviews, which provide AI-generated summaries at the top of search results, can be bypassed. While they cannot be permanently disabled through a standard setting, users can employ a couple of methods to avoid them. Adding the characters "-AI" to the end of a search query can prevent AI Overviews from appearing, though this is an unofficial workaround and may exclude relevant results. A more reliable method involves using Google's built-in "Web" filter, which displays traditional search links without AI summaries.
For users seeking a search engine with no AI integration, DuckDuckGo offers a "DuckDuckGo No-AI" experience accessible via noai.duckduckgo.com. This version aims to remove AI-assisted answers and suggestions. iPhone and iPad users can also change their default search engine through the device's settings.
Customizing iPhone AI Features
On iPhones, users can manage Siri suggestions, with options to hide suggested apps that appear before typing a search query. This can be adjusted in the Siri settings under "Suggestions." For devices supporting Apple Intelligence, users can opt out of AI-powered summaries for notifications, messages, and emails by disabling specific summary features within the Notifications, Messages, and Mail settings.
Users who have enabled the beta Siri AI can revert to the previous Siri Classic experience via the Siri settings. Turning off Siri entirely is also an option if the assistant is not desired.
Adjusting Samsung Galaxy AI Settings
Samsung's Galaxy phones offer granular control over many AI features. Users can access "Galaxy AI" settings to disable specific functionalities like "Note assist" or "Call assist." While some core AI features are integrated into the operating system and cannot be removed, many can be individually toggled off. Samsung recommends restarting the device after making changes to ensure they take effect. Additionally, settings like "Now brief" on the lock screen can be disabled, and users can choose to process AI data only on the device for enhanced privacy.
The "Circle to Search" feature on Samsung Galaxy phones can also be turned off through the Display settings.
Configuring Google Pixel AI Options
Google Pixel devices offer features like Magic Cue and Proactive Assistance, which provide suggestions based on user activity and app data. Users can disable these proactive suggestions through the respective settings menus. For Magic Cue on Pixel 10 models, users can review and turn off specific suggestion types. On Pixel 11 devices, Proactive Assistance can be turned off entirely, with options to manage connected apps.
Similar to Samsung phones, "Circle to Search" on Pixel devices can be disabled in the System or Display settings. The Pixel Screenshots app also includes an option to turn off AI-powered summaries and search capabilities for screenshots.
Managing Gemini on Android
Google's Gemini AI assistant can be configured to prevent it from launching unintentionally. Users can disable the "Hey Google" wake word for Gemini within the app's settings. Furthermore, the power button shortcut to launch the assistant can be reassigned to a different function through the System Gestures settings on Pixel devices, or the "Side button" settings on Samsung Galaxy phones. Gemini can also be uninstalled as the default digital assistant through the Default Apps settings.
While a complete removal of all AI features from smartphones is not possible due to their integration into operating systems and apps, users have significant control over many AI functionalities. By adjusting these settings, individuals can tailor their device experience to minimize or eliminate unwanted AI interventions.