How to Turn Off AI Search in Google Photos
Google Photos recently introduced a refreshed “Ask Photos” experience powered by AI to make photo searches smarter. However, not everyone is a fan of these new features. If you’re wondering how to turn off AI search in Google Photos and revert to the classic search interface, the good news is—you can. Google now gives users the freedom to disable the AI-enhanced Gemini search and regain a simpler, faster photo browsing experience. Whether you’re concerned about privacy, dislike the new interface, or just prefer the original functionality, disabling this AI layer is easy with the right steps.
Why Google Added AI Search in Photos
Google’s “Ask Photos” was first introduced in late 2024, designed to make photo searching more intuitive through natural language queries. It lets users type things like “pictures from our Hawaii trip” or “mom’s birthday dinner,” using facial recognition and context from photo metadata to locate relevant results. While this smart functionality can be useful, it wasn’t always fast or accurate during its initial launch. The rollout faced delays as Google reworked the system to improve responsiveness and integration. Now rebranded and upgraded, the AI search leverages Gemini to offer both instant results and extended AI-generated suggestions.
Despite these improvements, not everyone finds it helpful. Some users report slower performance, occasional inaccuracies, and concerns about how AI interprets their personal photo data. For those users, turning off this new AI functionality can make using Google Photos feel lighter and more private. Thankfully, Google’s latest update includes built-in controls to disable this feature entirely.
Steps to Disable AI Search in Google Photos
To turn off AI search in Google Photos, make sure your app is up to date. Google is rolling out the new “Gemini features in Photos” setting through a server-side update. While you can’t force the update manually, you’ll want to check the Play Store or App Store for the latest version. If you’re on Android, force-stopping the app can sometimes speed up access to newly released features.
Once the update is available on your device, follow these steps:
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Open the Google Photos app on Android or iOS.
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Tap your profile picture at the top right corner.
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Navigate to Photos settings → Preferences → Gemini features in Photos.
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Locate the toggle labeled Search with Ask Photos.
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Turn this setting off.
After you disable the toggle, your app will switch back to the original search UI. The “Ask” button at the bottom of the screen will be replaced with a traditional “Search” option. You’ll now see the classic interface that uses basic AI functionalities like face grouping or object recognition, but without the newer generative AI layer.
What Happens After You Turn Off AI Search
Disabling “Ask Photos” doesn’t remove all AI elements from Google Photos. Basic search capabilities such as identifying faces, objects, and places remain active. What changes is the Gemini-powered conversational interface, which previously tried to expand results with AI-generated suggestions or summaries. After switching it off, search performance typically becomes faster and feels more straightforward.
You’ll still be able to search by keywords, dates, and detected faces, but the AI won’t enhance queries with context-aware predictions or elaborate responses. Many users prefer this less complex experience, especially if they use Google Photos primarily for quick, no-frills browsing. If you change your mind later, re-enabling “Ask Photos” is just a toggle away within the same settings menu.
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