Google is taking a significant step to deepen its AI integration within Android devices by embedding its Gemini AI system directly into core applications such as WhatsApp, Messages, and Phone. The rollout of this integration began on July 7, 2025, marking a new chapter in how users interact with their Android smartphones and the AI that powers them.
This move means that Gemini will have the ability to interact seamlessly with these essential apps, enabling functionalities like making calls via the Phone app or sending messages through WhatsApp. However, this integration has sparked concerns about user privacy and control, especially since Google's official communications have been somewhat vague about the specifics of Gemini's behavior and how users can manage or disable its access.
For users wary of Gemini's reach, there are ways to limit its access. If Gemini is installed as a separate app on an Android device, users can open the Gemini app, tap their profile picture in the top-right corner, navigate to the 'Apps' menu, and toggle off access to specific apps they don't want Gemini interacting with. This disables Gemini's ability to interface with those apps, visually indicated by the toggle switching from blue to grey. Alternatively, users can uninstall the Gemini app entirely by long-pressing the app icon and selecting 'Remove.' Importantly, if Gemini isn't already installed, the update will not force-install it, so users remain in control of whether to add the AI to their devices.
Gemini's integration also extends into the Google app on Android. To disable Gemini there, users can tap their profile picture, go to Settings, select Google Assistant, then Digital assistants from Google, and switch from Gemini back to the traditional Google Assistant. This switch helps prevent Gemini from interacting with other apps through the Google app interface.
Despite these options, Google's guidance on disabling Gemini remains murky, leaving some users feeling uncertain about the extent of control they truly have. Notably, even if users disable Gemini's access to apps, the AI may still interact in limited ways, as turning off the 'Gemini Apps Activity' setting—which allows Google to save interactions—does not fully prevent Gemini from accessing apps.
Privacy concerns deepen with Google's admission that conversations with Gemini may be reviewed and annotated by human reviewers to improve AI quality. These human-reviewed data can be retained for up to three years, even if the user deletes their activity, though Google states this data is disconnected from the user's Google Account before review. Given this, Google explicitly advises against sharing confidential or sensitive information during Gemini chats.
While some users may welcome the convenience and enhanced capabilities Gemini offers, others prioritize transparency and control over their personal data. The lack of clear, consistent information from Google has left many seeking better ways to safeguard their privacy.
In parallel with these developments, Google is also refining Gemini's visual search capabilities. Currently, Gemini's 'Ask about screen' feature takes a full screenshot of the device's display, allowing users to type queries related to the entire screen. However, this approach can be cumbersome when users want information about specific on-screen elements, as they must describe these elements in text rather than simply selecting them.
To address this, Google is reportedly working on integrating a core gesture from its Circle to Search (CtS) tool into the Gemini overlay. This new feature, discovered by Android Authority in the Google app beta version 16.27.68.sa.arm64, replaces the 'Ask about screen' button with a 'Tell me about this' option. Upon activation, users can circle any on-screen element, which Gemini will then analyze in the context of the user's query—mirroring the intuitive functionality that CtS offers.
This update aims to simplify the user experience by allowing more precise, gesture-based searches within Gemini, reducing the need for textual descriptions. However, it also adds to the growing overlap among Google's suite of visual search tools, which already includes Circle to Search, Google Lens, and Gemini's own screen share and camera modes. Each tool offers similar functionalities, leading to some confusion about when and how to use them most effectively.
At present, the 'Tell me about this' feature remains in development, with no clear timeline for a broader rollout. Still, it highlights Google's ongoing efforts to unify and enhance its AI-powered search experiences across Android devices.
As AI becomes more deeply woven into the fabric of mobile technology, the balance between innovation and user privacy remains delicate. Google's Gemini AI integration exemplifies this tension, offering powerful new tools while raising important questions about data control and transparency. Users are encouraged to stay informed and proactive in managing their settings to maintain control over their digital lives.
Whether Gemini's advances will ultimately win widespread trust depends not only on its capabilities but also on how clearly Google communicates and respects user preferences in this rapidly evolving landscape.