What I hate most about this is the lack of control over this it implies. Sure, maybe you don’t install this on your device, but all that’s needed for Google to access your messages now is for someone you message to have it installed and enabled, then anything you send to them will be gobbled up by Google.
this post was submitted on 03 Jul 2025
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If the Gemini app is not installed, it can't do this right
Gemini was automatically installed for me, and the app connections were all enabled, like the article describes. Better check and be safe than to be sorry
Same, but somehow there was a warning and a possibility to switch back to Google assistant instead, which I did
It keeps changing back to Gemini on its own for me even if I don't use the assistant at all.
This is my assumption too. It's disabled for me. I have no plans to change that.
I don't even have a Gemini app installed in the first place.
I'm rather confused. I don't have any app called Gemini installed, but despite this "Hey Google" brings up Gemini. So I have no app to disable, and no way to turn off interaction with other apps. This is on a Samsung A55 in Europe, happily taking advice on how to proceed.
My four year old low-end test device running Android had its assistant switched out from Google Assistant to Gemini. I was very surprised since I'd assumed that the vendor had stopped supporting it since it was so cheap, but it updated anyway.
Google Play is separate from Android. Google likely updates it through that route, rather than relying on manufacturers.
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Exactly. It is an odd advice - disable something you had to install first just to disable?
It installed itself as part of an update package.
I was fully expecting that, but since enshittification recently intensified (Android 15's bluetooth settings are a giant step back in usability), neither google play nor system in general nor anything from motorola has internet access on my phone, I send everything through RethinkVPN (from f-droid) and block all internet access except for apps that I explicitly allow. I'm just not updating anything except periodically Signal, IronFox and PipePipe.
Update of what? Android or something else?
It must be an Android update as that's all I ever do, and I never installed Gemini. I just checked and it was there, with permissions to access WhatsApp and multiple other apps. I just removed all the permissions and disabled the app. We'll see if any future updates turn it back on.
Shhhhhneeeeeky bastards.
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In the case of my fully updated pixel 9 pro XL, Gemini was installed from the factory. I uninstalled it and installed Google Assistant. It has not re-installed itself for me, and further, I would recommend that if you don't use Gemini, you uninstall it.
This may change once the July patch hits but. As of right now it's not currently installed.
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Me on my de-googled phone:
Yeah, and it's presumptious of them to access the WhatsApp account I don't have...
And to want to access my calendars to book appointments for flights I can't afford
For those on Pixel devices, check out GrapheneOS. If not CalyxOS or LineageOS
Its important that we have devices that we control. If your phone doesn't allow bootloader unlock so you can install a different operating system, that's a problem. Claims that security is compromised if bootloaders can be unlocked are just companies using a convenient excuse to maintain control over a device you paid for.
The whole reason GrapheneOS develops only for Pixels is that you can relock the bootloader though, right? (Along with other security features)
Anyway yeah companies still suck for not letting you relock them.
I don't believe that's a pixel specific benefit but yes relocking the bootloader is best for security. The unlocking process is needed to install an alternative OS though.
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The reason they don't want you to unlock your bootloader is because of security....
...security of their revenue stream, that is.
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They'd have to install it first.
Google play services says bonjour
Yes, but the phones of all your peers will have that shit on them.
My gf got one of those emails, but she doesnt have the Gemini app installed on her phone. All of the instruction articles I can find only explain how to turn it off if you have the app.
Does not having the app mean that she's safe from this, or does it mean that she needs to download the app to disable the "feature"?
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Not that I support this, but hasn't Google Assistant been able to do that for years? Sending texts via the voice assistant has been, like, one of the main selling points.
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If I have the app disabled it probably can't do anything right?
Which app ?
The Gemini app. I can't uninstall it from my phone but I have it disabled. Not sure if Google's other account access and apps on my phone are going to still feed into Gemini.
I think when google app and play services still present on your device, it feeds data into gemini anyway. Hope you are not using google vanilla apps.
By the way why you arent able to uninstall gemini app ? 🤔 Did you tried lineage os with microg which is way better ?!
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Is this a US only thing? I have no email and no Gemini app (although there are settings in system)
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Good thing I don't have that shit on my phone (at least until Google forces it)
The people you're messaging might, though.
Oh hell nah
Signal is also a great alternative to WhatsApp. Molly for the extra privacy focused.
Don't go and manually install it.
The misinformation about this has been wild.
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I got a privacy update for Gmail tools too. It used to be to enable smart tools you needed to allow google to read your email. That does stuff like automatically add calendar events for flights and such.
Now you must also allow the email to be read by their AI services too. I can’t recall precisely how it was worded, but it was an easy decision to keep the “smart” features off.
I mean, I really just use Gmail as the email address I give to sign up for sites and such, but would be good just not to have it one day.
Hopefully unintalling and disabling is actually doing something. I feel like they are just tricking us and you can't really disable it.
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