In short. The Tools control can turn off Personal Intelligence for one Gemini chat, while Temporary Chat handles activity and recent-chat visibility.
Definition: Yes. Gemini’s Personal Intelligence control can be turned off from the Tools menu for a specific chat, removing personalization from the memory of Gemini chats, Gemini instructions, and Connected Apps while preserving the chat’s earlier context.
Key facts
- Google describes Personal Intelligence as personalization based on past Gemini chats, connected Google app content and activity, and response instructions in its personalization overview.
- In a specific chat, the documented path is the text box, Tools, then Personal Intelligence off, according to Google’s Connected Apps and Personal Intelligence help.
- The same help page says the chat can still use earlier parts of that conversation as context, and the choice remains when the chat is left and continued later.
- A temporary chat is a separate option: Google says it does not appear in Gemini Apps Activity or recent chats, and its Gemini Apps guide says it cannot provide personalized responses.
How does the per-chat control work?
As of 17 October 2026, Google’s Connected Apps and Personal Intelligence help documents the control as a gradual release, so the control may not be available in every Gemini account. The action is inside the composer rather than in the account’s Connected Apps settings:
In the text box, click Tools.
Turn Personal Intelligence off.
The setting is attached to the current chat. It can be used when a conversation should continue with its existing messages while Personal Intelligence is excluded from the new response context.
What does switching it off change?
Google defines the excluded personalization inputs as the memory of Gemini chats, instructions for Gemini, and information from Connected Apps. Earlier parts of the same conversation remain available as context. The setting choice is remembered for that chat, including when the chat is left and continued later. A new chat starts with Personal Intelligence on by default.
The control also includes a response-level alternative. Google documents “Try without personalization” as a way to regenerate a personalized response without personalization. This gives the interface a one-response route alongside the chat-level switch.
Is this the same as Temporary Chat?
No. The Google guide to using Gemini Apps describes Temporary Chat as a separate chat type that does not appear in Gemini Apps Activity or recent chats. Starting one requires a signed-in personal Google Account and access to the Gemini web or mobile app. The guide says that Temporary Chat cannot use Connected Apps or integrated services that require Keep Activity, provide personalized responses, or save information for future personalization.
Turning Personal Intelligence off has a narrower effect on the existing chat. Google says that the chat can still be saved to Gemini Apps Activity and used to personalize a response in another chat. The same help page directs people who want a chat without saved activity to Temporary Chat.
How can the setting be checked?
The documented check is local to the open conversation: open the text box’s Tools control and inspect the Personal Intelligence state. The control may be absent because Google says the feature is being released gradually. For a chat that must also avoid the recent-chat and activity listings, the relevant interface is New chat followed by Temporary chat, as described in the Gemini Apps guide.
Related terms
FAQ
Does turning off Personal Intelligence delete the conversation?
No. Google says the chat can still be saved to Gemini Apps Activity. Temporary Chat is the separate mode that does not appear in Gemini Apps Activity or recent chats.
Does the switch apply to every new chat?
No. Google documents that a new chat has Personal Intelligence on by default. The remembered choice belongs to the chat where the switch was changed.
Can earlier messages still be used after the switch is turned off?
Yes. Google says Gemini can still use earlier parts of that chat as context even after Personal Intelligence is turned off.
Sources
- Google, "Connect your Google apps to personalize your Gemini experience", undated, accessed 17 October 2026
- Google, "Use Gemini Apps", undated, accessed 17 October 2026
- Google, "Get personalization in Gemini Apps", undated, accessed 17 October 2026
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