How to Turn Off Camera in New Google Messages Gallery (2025 Guide)
Tired of the new full-screen camera view every time you open the Google Messages gallery? You’re not alone. Many users are asking how to turn off the camera in the new Google Messages gallery—especially since the latest redesign makes the camera prominent by default. While there’s no in-app toggle to hide or remove it, there is a workaround that disables the camera completely, improving your messaging experience.
This guide walks you through how to turn off the camera in the new Google Messages gallery using Android's system settings. It’s a safe and reversible method that blocks camera access without breaking the rest of the app. Whether you find the new interface intrusive or just prefer to use your native camera app, this step-by-step process gives you control over what appears in your message composer.
Why Turn Off Camera in Google Messages Gallery?
Google's 2025 update to the Messages app introduced a fullscreen gallery that automatically displays a live camera viewfinder at the top. This design change has sparked mixed reactions—some appreciate the modern layout, while others find the persistent camera view unnecessary or intrusive.
The camera in Google Messages isn’t just for quick snaps anymore—it includes custom face filters and AR effects. But if you never use those features, the camera’s presence can feel disruptive, especially when you're simply trying to attach an existing photo. Unfortunately, there’s no way to revert to the previous, more compact gallery layout.
By turning off the camera in the new Google Messages gallery, you reclaim a cleaner interface. Plus, it can reduce battery drain and prevent accidental photo captures. The best part? You don’t need to uninstall or downgrade the app—you only need to change a system permission.
Step-by-Step: How to Turn Off Camera in Google Messages
While Google Messages doesn’t offer an in-app option to disable the camera, you can block its access through Android permissions. Here's how to turn off the camera in the new Google Messages gallery:
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Go to App Info for Google Messages
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Long-press the Google Messages icon on your home screen.
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Tap the “i” or App info option.
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Open the Permissions Menu
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Scroll to Permissions and tap it.
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Look for Camera in the list of permissions.
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Change Camera Permission
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Tap Camera, then choose “Don’t allow.”
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Android may warn that this could affect app features.
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Confirm by tapping “Don’t allow anyway.”
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Once you complete these steps, Google Messages will no longer be able to access your camera. The next time you open the gallery, the camera viewfinder will be gone. Instead, you’ll see a message saying: “Enable permission settings to use the camera.” The image gallery below remains fully functional—you can still browse and attach existing photos.
Important Note: If you use Google Messages for Web, you may need to temporarily re-enable camera permissions to scan a QR code for linking your phone. You can easily toggle permissions back when needed.
What Happens After Disabling the Camera?
Turning off the camera in the new Google Messages gallery doesn’t affect your ability to send pictures. You can still pick images from your photo library, share files, or use third-party camera apps to capture and upload photos.
Here’s what changes:
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The top portion of the gallery previously reserved for live camera view disappears.
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Face filters and AR effects within Google Messages are disabled.
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You’ll get a cleaner, less cluttered interface for attaching media.
For those who found the constant camera activation annoying or unnecessary, this tweak provides a more streamlined experience. Even if the new design looks modern, it's not always practical for everyone—especially those who prefer native camera apps for better quality and control.
Is It Safe to Disable the Camera for Google Messages?
Absolutely. Disabling the camera via Android permissions doesn’t harm your device or break the app. It’s fully reversible at any time. If you ever need the camera back—maybe for quick snaps or QR code scanning—you can go back to Settings > Apps > Messages > Permissions and toggle camera access back on.
This workaround also aligns with Android’s latest privacy features in 2025, giving users more granular control over what each app can access. Google has encouraged these practices as part of its broader push for user security and transparency.
Should You Keep the Camera Off?
Whether you turn off the camera in Google Messages or not depends on your messaging habits. If you often use the built-in camera for quick shots or filters, you might want to leave it enabled. But if you find the new gallery design overwhelming or unnecessary, disabling the camera permission can significantly improve your user experience.
At a time when app interfaces are increasingly cluttered with features, this small change helps simplify your messaging workflow. It’s a power-user trick that restores some sanity to an otherwise busy UI.
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