How To Remove Gemini from Home

[DannyCK]

I've been very underwhelmed by the Gemini integration with Google Home. How do I remove Gemini integration from Google Home?

[David_K · Accepted solution]

Hi @DannyCK 

See the "How to turn off Gemini for Home camera features" section of the following help article.

Learn about Gemini for Home camera features - Google Nest Help

[Matt202]

There actually is, or should I say there WAS a way to go back to the original but Google has steadily been shutting down everything related to the original assistant so even if you do go back, I would guess that it can only do about 40% to 50% of what it used to do. I don't think Google thought this through very well when they decided to dismantle a perfectly good assistant before they had a replacement even remotely close to being ready. The funny things is that I used Gemini to actually get the answer on why the assistant isn't working. Even their shiny new project (Gemini) reports that Google made a huge mistake by slowly removing features from the Assistant before Gemini was ready to take over. And Gemini even said that it can not do most tasks that the Assistant did easily on a regular basis. 

Anyway, the way to remove Gemini and revert back to the Assistant is not recommended but here ya go: 

1). Remove/delete EVERY device from the Google Home app

2) Factory reset EVERY device. By every, I mean every device. Cameras, speakers, displays, any and everything that is attached to the Google Home app. Do NOT pair them back to your home yet.

3) Delete the Home from within the Google Home app. I left mine as the default word "Home" but if you changed it to Smith or Jones or anything else, you will need to delete that from the app.

4) Clear the cache and data from the Google Home app

5) Not needed but I did this anyway, restart the phone/tablet/whatever you're using the Google Home app on. 

6) Launch the Google Home app again

 There shouldn't be any "homes" listed unless you intentionally made others or intentionally left them on the profile. Either way, do NOT use those profiles with ANY devices you previously deleted and factory reset

7) Create a new "Home" (name it whatever you want EXCEPT what it previously was named. Do not use the previous name as that can inadvertantly pull Gemini data into the new profile which totally defeats the purpose of resetting everything) and then one by one begin adding the freshly factory reset devices back into that new Home profile. 

You SHOULD be back with the Google Assistant but remember, Google has shut down most of it's abilities already so they're is a very high chance it wont be very helpful anymore. Also, Google is delaying the Assistant shut down by a few months because of the botched Gemini rollout so you'll have more time with it but, as much as I have my hopes up, I highly doubt they will reactivate any of the removed features. 

It also should go without saying but do not click on that little shiny button (the try Gemini or early sign up or whatever they label it now) that Google is dangling in front of you again. All that did is invite Gemini back in and your back to where you were before you reset everything.

[Usayinn2]

Thanks for such a detailed message. That is exactly what I did since the customer service representative over the phone wasn't really able to help. I am back with Google. It is really disappointing that Gemini is taking over even if it isn't ready. I will probably switch to Amazon's assistant eventually. Have a wonderful evening 

[mountainbikerak]

I did this the long way. I created a new home in the Google Home app. I then moved each of my devices and services over to that new home. Finally, I deleted the old home. This was enough to revert. However, each and every device had to be factory reset and paired. Definitely a lot of effort, but I got rid of Gemini for the time being. 

Gemini was noticeably broken in first hour that I tried using it. All customizations were lost with Youtube Music. YTM was really well trained to produce music that I enjoyed. The new rendition kept trying to play country and reggae. I'm not categorically opposed to this music, but it's not front and center in my recommendations. I kept trying to say "skip this" or "thumbs down" and Gemini insisted on playing this music. Considering that my number one use case for my Google Home is for playing music, this is a hard pass for me. 

This is really shocking, since Google usually dogfoods their own products. It's almost like the PMs and execs haven't tried using it, and they're instead trying to force AI on everyone. Google needs to examine at least 95% of existing searches and make sure they can satisfy them. And Google needs to provide a good offramp if the new version isn't working. 

[richhisgen]

it is awful ... keeps asking stupid questions.   they need to make a way to revert to the assistant.

[arlanthe]

Anyone know how to get it to shut up trying to get me to switch, or am I stuck being harassed with it asking me to turn Gemini on every third time I open the Google Home app?

[KM03]

Gemini is absolutely trash and isn’t able to do half of the things google assistant did. Google needs to add an option to switchback, this is making me want to throw out my Google homes 

[KS_shine]

Absolutely trash. Couldn't have said it better. So frustrated. Probably going to throw away my Google homes and get an Alexa.

[Soconnorca]

I just pulled the plugs on my six Google Nest devices because I can’t abide her new voice. It’s flat and lifeless. 
Maybe in the future when they add (or restore) decent voices I’ll plug them in again. 

[Finman28]

About to do the same, I got a dozen of them around the house but they have become extremely annoying and unhelpful. Easier just to not use it i find.

[Ricknsharon]

Why do companies keep putting BS apps on our phones?  Just leave it alone!  My Nest thermostat has gone through three app changes, I'm about ready to go back to the standard thermostat.  Fricking technology is snooping in our daily lives, listening to everything we say, then flooding us with advertisements.  

[geminibs]

new assistent is **bleep**. old assitant responds in all idioms, new one is EN only, such a **bleep**ty. says wrong stuff and doesn't execurte tasts and routines properly

[Matt202]

*Steps to delete Gemini are further down the post 

There actually is, or should I say there WAS a way to go back to the original Assistant but Google has steadily been shutting down everything related to the original assistant so even if you do go back, I would guess that it can only do about 40% to 50% of what it used to do. I don't think Google thought this through very well when they decided to dismantle a perfectly good assistant before they had a replacement even remotely close to being ready. The funny things is that I used Gemini to actually get the answer on why the assistant isn't working. Even their shiny new project (Gemini) reports that Google made a huge mistake by slowly removing features from the Assistant before Gemini was ready to take over. And Gemini even said that it can not do most tasks that the Assistant did easily on a regular basis. 

Anyway, the way to remove Gemini and revert back to the Assistant is not recommended but here ya go: 

1). Remove/delete EVERY device from the Google Home app

2) Factory reset EVERY device. By every, I mean every device. Cameras, speakers, displays, any and everything that is attached to the Google Home app. Do NOT pair them back to your home yet.

3) Delete the Home from within the Google Home app. I left mine as the default word "Home" but if you changed it to Smith or Jones or anything else, you will need to delete that from the app.

4) Clear the cache and data from the Google Home app

5) Not needed but I did this anyway, restart the phone/tablet/whatever you're using the Google Home app on. 

6) Launch the Google Home app again

There shouldn't be any "homes" listed unless you intentionally made others or intentionally left them on the profile. Either way, do NOT use those profiles with ANY devices you previously deleted and factory reset

7) Create a new "Home" (name it whatever you want EXCEPT what it previously was named. Do not use the previous name as that can inadvertantly pull Gemini data into the new profile which totally defeats the purpose of resetting everything) and then one by one begin adding the freshly factory reset devices back into that new Home profile. 

You SHOULD be back with the Google Assistant but remember, Google has shut down most of it's abilities already so they're is a very high chance it wont be very helpful anymore. Also, Google is delaying the Assistant shut down by a few months because of the botched Gemini rollout so you'll have more time with it but, as much as I have my hopes up, I highly doubt they will reactivate any of the removed features. 

It also should go without saying but do not click on that little shiny button (the try Gemini or early sign up or whatever they label it now) that Google is dangling in front of you again. All that does is invite Gemini back in and your back to where you were before you reset everything.

[Derek715]

As with so many others Gemini is awful as an assistant. Can't control lights or furnace. Can't run automations. It can tell me a paragraph of nonsense that has nothing to do with what I asked. PLEASE how do I go back to the plain simple assistant that worked. No questions, no comments, no babbling. It just did what you asked.

[TheBird]

I followed Matt's advice above. I had to reset my speakers, delete my home, make a new home with a new name for fear of Gemini following me and reload all my speakers. Luckily everything else I have or had connected reloaded to my new home right away, lights,plugs hue,  etc. however you do lose lists,and items to remind you. But way worth it for my little home set up. And I don't have to pay(yet) for continuing conversation! Hopefully I can avoid Gemini until they actually get it figured out first!!

[WhoWho]

Per Google Chat Support >> Easiest way to get back to the old Assistant is to create a new home in Google Home App.  This is using an iPhone.

>On the Home screen, click the + button in the top right, next to your profile icon, then select Home at the bottom of the types list.  Follow the prompts to create a new home in the app.

>Once that is done, move a few speakers or devices that listen to and reply to your commands. 

>Select each device, then the Settings cog well, then Device, Information,  then Home, select your new home location, go through the prompts, then done. 

>Check your devices in the Home screen and be sure they are in the section ABOVE any listed under the "Local Devices" header at the bottom.  Any listed under Local Devices (mainly speakers attached to the same WiFi), Google Home "copied" over on your phone, but aren't on the GH server so not controllable if not on your home WiFi - ie, travelling away from your actual home. 

>Move the next speaker-type device. 

>Once they are moved, ask "Hey Google, who are you?" it should answer "I'm your Google Assistant".  If it does, your good to go to move all the other devices to the new home. 

>Two caveats, be careful when going back and forth between the two homes, the selection bubble at the top will try to get you to ok Gemini in the new home, DON'T DO IT!  Toggle back and forth until you get into the "old" home to continue with the moves. 

>Other caveat is moving Nest Thermostats are cumbersome, you need to factory reset them totally delete them from your Google server account OR follow a lengthy "Move Workflow" process.  Search “google home nest move workflow” which should take you to a Google Nest Support page.  I decided to leave the thermostats alone in the old home since I use the Nest app to control them occasionally. 

>I'm back to GA NO GEMINI and at least now have control over all my Nest Speakers and can access my Apple Music Playlist without any issues like I had with Gemini.  Hope this works for everyone.  Good Luck!

[TheChubbyGuppy]

Completely unacceptable to brick our devices. We need our money back. Gemini is garbage.

[thegame0510]

Just a FYI anyone who went to Gemini and has been having major problems, its 100% worth it to Delete your 'Home' and start a new one to get back the Original Google Assistant.

We upgraded to Gemini in DEC After that updates so many things broke and did not work, and all automations stopped working.  i spent 3 hours over the last weekend Deleting my old home. Factory resetting EVERY device in my house and resetting up all the automations i had. it has been 5 days and what a difference. Google responds faster, does exactly what you tell it, all automations work. Its a night and day difference.

The issues we had with Gemini. 

Hey google what time is it "its 2:43 PM eastern standard time" we dont need to know its EST 

Hey google do not tell us the timezone when we ask for the time " ok got it" (my wife and i both said this prompt to match our voice profile)

it would leave out the time zone for a day or so and go back to telling us Easter Standard Time (annoying)

All our automations broke. I went into each and attempted to fix them, nothing worked.

i deleted and recreated them still didnt work. ( some it would perform the first action but nothing else after)

ex 745pm everyday

volume would set to 35 ( worked)

sleep sound > white noise ( didnt work) 

next we tried

hey google play white noise ( didnt work)

Google Hub Display gen 2 would remove all apps randomly. some days all would be there some days only 2.

swipe up from bottom, the lower bar only shows search and sling in the 2nd and 5th slot  (sling an app we never had or linked) 1,3,4,6 just blank spaces

click see all apps, just search , sling and youtube TV. everything else white spaces 

We un linked all apps and relinked in google home and rebooted the device MANY times

Spotify, Most Heavily used app on the Hub Display stopped working 

Hey google play some music This would work 50% of the time If it didnt it would just show a black screen

on the Hub swipe up click the spotify app." alright playing Spotify, sorry something went wrong when you are ready give it another try" try this as Many times as you like it never worked

swipe right to the Media tab click a recent playlist from spotify nothing black screen. " alright playing Spotify, sorry something went wrong when you are ready give it another try"

Gemini would be listening constantly. There was no "Hey Google" at any point in the prior 10 min but it would decide to respond with some answer or it would say i don't know how to help with that. 

I opened a ticket for each issues after i attempted to reboot, recreate and fix the problem. 

Google support useless and was unable to fix anything for me. 

[Racamagir]

Before Gemini for Home, Google Assistant for Home was consistent but basic. Limited commands worked all the time, like asking for the weather or playing music. Now it's basically useless and we are close to ripping it out if we cannot get it to work

[herman21]

to remove Gemini from Google Home, you need to turn off the Public Preview feature. Gemini in Home is still tied to that program for many users.

Open the Google Home app, go to Settings, then look for Public Preview and leave it. After that, Gemini features should disappear and the app will go back to the normal Google Assistant behavior.

If you don’t see the option right away, try restarting the app or signing out and back in. Sometimes it takes a little while for the change to apply.

[Matt202]

if you read the responses from numerous people, that doesn't work. I've also tried your suggestion and it didn't do anything. I ended up deleting the Gemini "Home" and recreating one. That was the only way I was able to get back to the Google Assistant. The sad part is how much they had dismantled the Google Assistant now in an attempt to push everyone to use Gemeni to act as their guinea pigs and unpaid beta testers. The Assistant still works but it is a far cry of what it once was. 

[Finman28]

The only way to use Google Assistant again on those devices is:

1. Factory reset your devices.
2. Set them up under a new Google Account that has never opted into Gemini for Home.

[Danks]

Wow Google, how you hell have you got this so wrong.... Again... And months of rants across so many forums and still no improvements or suggestions. Real shame, it was going in such a great direction with Assistant and this has just taken 10 steps back FFS.

[Acorn00]

100%.  After 5 yrs with this thing and zero improvements, I am pretty much ready to inplug it permanently.   There was so much promise when these came out that they would make constant improvements and add features, but after all these years it is basically still a voice activated light switch.  

[silversrfr]

Gemini is so bad.  Almost never finds the correct songs.  Weather is never reported in the temperature unit that it is set to in settings.  Music randomly stops, drops, or even refuses to stop.  Automations and 3rd party app integrations just stop working... 

[Matt202]

*Steps to delete Gemini are further down the post

There actually is, or should I say there WAS a way to go back to the original Assistant but Google has steadily been shutting down everything related to the original assistant so even if you do go back, I would guess that it can only do about 40% to 50% of what it used to do. I don't think Google thought this through very well when they decided to dismantle a perfectly good assistant before they had a replacement even remotely close to being ready. The funny things is that I used Gemini to actually get the answer on why the assistant isn't working. Even their shiny new project (Gemini) reports that Google made a huge mistake by slowly removing features from the Assistant before Gemini was ready to take over. And Gemini even said that it can not do most tasks that the Assistant did easily on a regular basis. 

Anyway, the way to remove Gemini and revert back to the Assistant is not recommended but here ya go: 

1). Remove/delete EVERY device from the Google Home app

2) Factory reset EVERY device. By every, I mean every device. Cameras, speakers, displays, any and everything that is attached to the Google Home app. Do NOT pair them back to your home yet.

3) Delete the Home from within the Google Home app. I left mine as the default word "Home" but if you changed it to Smith or Jones or anything else, you will need to delete that from the app.

4) Clear the cache and data from the Google Home app

5) Not needed but I did this anyway, restart the phone/tablet/whatever you're using the Google Home app on. 

6) Launch the Google Home app again

There shouldn't be any "homes" listed unless you intentionally made others or intentionally left them on the profile. Either way, do NOT use those profiles with ANY devices you previously deleted and factory reset

7) Create a new "Home" (name it whatever you want EXCEPT what it previously was named. Do not use the previous name as that can inadvertantly pull Gemini data into the new profile which totally defeats the purpose of resetting everything) and then one by one begin adding the freshly factory reset devices back into that new Home profile. 

You SHOULD be back with the Google Assistant but remember, Google has shut down most of it's abilities already so they're is a very high chance it wont be very helpful anymore. Also, Google is delaying the Assistant shut down by a few months because of the botched Gemini rollout so you'll have more time with it but, as much as I have my hopes up, I highly doubt they will reactivate any of the removed features. 

It also should go without saying but do not click on that little shiny button (the try Gemini or early sign up or whatever they label it now) that Google is dangling in front of you again. All that does is invite Gemini back in and your back to where you were before you reset everything.

[dbdkmezz]

I couldn’t work out how to do this. Instead I made a new Home and moved all my devices across.