this post was submitted on 07 Jul 2025
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258
Google Gemini is coming for your private apps. Here's how to stop it (www.pcworld.com)
submitted 1 day ago by vegeta@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world
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[–] FreedomAdvocate@lemmy.net.au 1 points 5 hours ago

A whole article about how terrible this is, then towards the end they got clarification from Google and, surprise surprise, it was all an overreaction and they were fear mongering.

“This update is good for users: they can now use Gemini to complete daily tasks on their mobile devices like send messages, initiate phone calls, and set timers while Gemini Apps Activity is turned off. With Gemini Apps Activity turned off, their Gemini chats are not being reviewed or used to improve our AI models.

It’s just giving Gemini more local assistant abilities.

[–] noxypaws@pawb.social 27 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Gemini never gets installed automatically on GrapheneOS. Yet another reason to switch if you can

[–] Wizard_Pope@lemmy.world 2 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

Well I don't have a pixel my dude.

[–] noxypaws@pawb.social 0 points 6 hours ago

Then either get one or don't switch?

[–] Gonzako@lemmy.world 9 points 21 hours ago (2 children)

Isn't that a pixel only OS?

[–] noxypaws@pawb.social 1 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

Yes, because pixels are currently the only android phones with hardware security that third party operating systems can take full advantage of.

[–] Gonzako@lemmy.world 1 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

Are they still being made? I'd like to give it a try but Googles putting the pedal on enshitiffication

[–] noxypaws@pawb.social 1 points 7 hours ago

Yep!

[–] helpImTrappedOnline@lemmy.world 3 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

Unfortunately yes, there are technical reasons I don't fully understand. I think has to do with how it's locked down, and that it can be relocked after graphine is installed.

Graphine takes security seriously, so leaving the boot loader unlocked is not acceptable to them.

Although, that may change with google removing pixel specific code from the android source.

[–] hatsa122@lemmy.world 4 points 17 hours ago

Its because of the hardware. Pixel phones have a chip dedicated exclusively to security, therefore why GrapheneOS is buildt arround those phones

[–] LogicalDrivel@sopuli.xyz 59 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Funny how I turned off any data sharing for google years ago but the inclusion of gemini somehow voids my previous decision.

[–] Cheradenine@sh.itjust.works 7 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Did you download this, or was it an automatic update?

Some people have said it was an automatic update, and it then changed their settings

[–] LogicalDrivel@sopuli.xyz 6 points 1 day ago

Im not sure when the update came out but I've had two forced updates in the past 3-4 months for my Pixel 6. Im assuming thats when it changed. I am very meticulous about checking settings after updates but It looks like this was only online settings for your google account, not local to the phone, which is probably how I missed it.

[–] BrianTheeBiscuiteer@lemmy.world 49 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Direct Link to settings: https://myactivity.google.com/product/gemini

Their dumb redirect link didn't work for me, probably because of adblock.

[–] tordenflesk@lemmy.world 9 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

"Not available for my account type"

Since I use workspace, I have to go to Admin Console -> Generative AI -> Gemini app -> Service status -> OFF for everyone

[–] latenightnoir@lemmy.blahaj.zone 41 points 1 day ago

[–] cabbage@piefed.social 28 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (4 children)

If you own a Fairphone (3-5), Pixel (4, 5, 7 or 8) Nothing phone (1) or OnePlus (7 or 8), it's super easy to install /e/OS using this online installer. Most android apps work well out of the box, but all Google stuff has been stripped away and replaced with MicroG where necessary.

I'm never returning to Google anything.

[–] Adderbox76@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 day ago

My previous Motorola also has an e/OS/ spin. But sadly my current one does not.

[–] Nima@leminal.space 3 points 1 day ago

i use a oneplus 8t so I'm gonna save this comment. thank you very much. ive manually blocked most google services but I'd like to try a dedicated OS soon.

[–] VeryNiiiice@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Do you lose pixel specific features?

[–] WhyJiffie@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 day ago

the launcher might become a very similar but stripped down version.

if you liked to have more features, try the lawnchair launcher from f-droid. its a fork with readded features. you need to have the izzydroid repo activated to find it

https://apt.izzysoft.de/packages/app.lawnchair

[–] cabbage@piefed.social 2 points 1 day ago

As long as it's based on software rather than hardware I think it's safe to assume it will be lost.

You can reinstall some things (such as the default camera app) from apks you find online, and apps such as Google Maps can be downloaded from the app store (which contains all apps from the play store). But by default it strips away everything that is installed on the phone by default and replaces it with a degoogled ecosystem, and I don't think it differentiates between different devices.

[–] DrBob@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Not Pixel 6?

[–] cabbage@piefed.social 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Pixel 6 is supported through community ports (6, 6 pro, 6a), but unfortunately it is not supported (yet?) by the online installer tool. So it's for people who are a bit more willing to get their hands dirty.

[–] MangoPenguin@lemmy.blahaj.zone 11 points 1 day ago

The 'how' is to disable/remove the Gemini app, no reason to have that junk on the phone.

[–] NotProLemmy@lemmy.ml 20 points 1 day ago (1 children)

(Canta)

(And also Shizuku)

[–] JigglySackles@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I've not seen this one. How does it manage to remove things without root?

Edit:nvm, answered my own question in the documentation. Uses shizuku which relies on adb

[–] FlashMobOfOne@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago

Went to turn it off.

Apparently I already did. Marvelous.

[–] Adderbox76@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 day ago

Any Google app that would have Gemini baked in has long since been disabled on my phone. I'm presuming it's bullshit isn't going to be able to access my Fossify Messages or Dialer or Gallery or every other app I've replaced and disabled, especially since I've also disabled the Assistant and Google Apps.

(If I'm wrong please correct me.)

[–] Imgonnatrythis@sh.itjust.works 7 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Jokes on them. Google workspace accounts are forgotten bastard children and this hasn't been and might not get activated on those accounts anytime soon.

[–] tordenflesk@lemmy.world 7 points 1 day ago

Admin Console -> Generative AI -> Gemini app -> Service status -> OFF for everyone

[–] atticus88th@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I'm okay if it has access to everything, makes it easier to find the porn I was looking for.

[–] daggermoon@lemmy.world 1 points 18 hours ago

I don't like to be reminded of the porn I was looking for. Google showing me ads based on my porn habits is what sent me down the privacy and security path I've been on since.

[–] Xylight@lemdro.id 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

It's a system app? I was able to uninstall it directly on my Pixel 8. Unless it's only a system app above that.

[–] Squizzy@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

I updated my phone last week ad now I cant uninstall samsung pass whatever the fuck that is. God I am so sick of tis game of cat and mouse with modern tech.

[–] blinfabian@feddit.nl 2 points 1 day ago

removes gemini with adb

[–] kokesh@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

I was able to send WhatsApp with Assistant since the beginning. What is the deal if Gemini does it?

[–] NotProLemmy@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 day ago

"It'S aI" 🤡 -Googol