It happened to me: I opened a Google Doc to write an article, and I was immediately confronted with a text box inviting me to “write with Gemini.” I looked for some button to swipe away the garish AI display, but I couldn’t find it. It made me mad.
Now, instead of writing the article I’m supposed to be working on, I’m writing about how to get the AI pop-ups off your Google Docs screen — because it took me a while to figure out. You’re welcome.
The Quick Fix: Disable the AI Bottom Bar
The first fix is pretty straightforward:
- Click “Gemini” on the top menu bar above your document.
- From the drop-down menu, select “Bottom bar preferences.”
- Toggle off the option to show the bottom bar. This will remove the AI writing prompt from the bottom of your screen.
That’s it — the intrusive “write with Gemini” box disappears, and you can get back to your work without interruption.
Behind the Change: Why This Matters in 2026
By mid-2026, Google had deeply integrated its Gemini AI into Workspace apps, including Docs. While some users appreciate the assistive features, many writers and editors find the persistent AI prompts distracting. Google has acknowledged this feedback and provided these preference controls — but the settings are not always easy to find.
If you prefer a cleaner, AI-free writing environment, this simple toggle restores your focus without requiring you to disable all AI features across Google Workspace. You can still access Gemini manually via the menu when needed.
What This Doesn’t Do
Turning off the bottom bar does not disable Gemini entirely — it only removes the persistent text prompt. Other AI suggestions (like smart compose or grammar hints) may still appear unless you adjust those separately under Tools > Preferences. For a completely AI-free experience, you can disable those there as well.
Now, back to writing that article.
via TechCrunch AI