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How to opt out and turn off all ‘smart’ AI features in Gmail
Introduction
Gmail enables several smart features by default. These include Smart Compose, Smart Reply, and other Google Workspace features that analyze your activity to offer suggestions.
For many screen reader users these features can feel distracting unpredictable or unnecessary. Some users also prefer to limit background data processing.
This guide walks you through turning these features off step by step using common screen readers. What This Guide helps you achieve;
Turns Off
Smart Compose
Smart Reply
Smart features in Gmail Chat and Meet
Google Workspace smart features
Smart features in other Google products.
Section 1
Gmail App on iPhone
VoiceOver iOS 1. Open the Gmail app. 2. Swipe right until you hear Menu button.
Double tap to open it. 3. Swipe right to Settings and double tap. 4. Select your email account. Turning off Smart Reply and Smart Compose 5. Swipe right to Smart Reply.
Double tap to turn it off. 6. Swipe right to Smart Compose.
Double tap to turn it off. Turning off Smart features 7. Swipe right to Data privacy and double tap. 8. Swipe right to Smart features.
Double tap to turn Smart features off. 9. Locate Google Workspace smart features and double tap. 10. Turn off Smart features in Google Workspace. 11. Turn off Smart features in other Google products. 12. Activate Done to finish. Section 2
Gmail App on Android
TalkBack 1. Open the Gmail app. 2. Swipe right to the Menu button and double tap. 3. Swipe to Settings and double tap. 4. Select your email account. Turning off Smart Reply and Smart Compose 5. Swipe to Smart Reply.
Double tap to turn it off. 6. Swipe to Smart Compose.
Double tap to turn it off. Turning off Smart features 7. Swipe to Data privacy and double tap. 8. Swipe to Smart features.
Double tap to disable it. 9. Open Google Workspace smart features. 10. Disable Smart features in Google Workspace. 11. Disable Smart features in other Google products. 12. Use the Back gesture until you return to the inbox. Section 3
Gmail on Mac
VoiceOver macOS 1. Open Gmail in your web browser. 2. Navigate to the Gmail page content. 3. VO right until you find the Settings gear button. 4. Press VO space to activate it. 5. VO right to See all settings and activate. General tab 6. VO right to Smart Compose.
Choose Off. 7. VO right to Smart Reply.
Choose Off. Smart features 8. VO right to Turn on smart features in Gmail Chat and Meet. 9. If it is checked press VO space to uncheck it. Workspace smart features 10. VO right to Manage Workspace smart feature settings and activate. 11. Turn off Smart features in Google Workspace. 12. Turn off Smart features in other Google products. Save changes 13. VO right to Save changes. 14. Press VO space to save. Section 4
Gmail on Windows
NVDA 1. Open your browser and go to mail.google.com. 2. Press Tab until you reach the Settings gear. 3. Press Enter. 4. Tab to See all settings and press Enter. General tab 5. Tab to Smart Compose.
Use Space or arrow keys to set it to Off. 6. Tab to Smart Reply.
Set it to Off. Smart features 7. Tab to Turn on smart features in Gmail Chat and Meet. 8. Press Space to uncheck it. Workspace smart features 9. Tab to Manage Workspace smart feature settings. 10. Press Enter. 11. Tab to Smart features in Google Workspace.
Press Space to turn it off. 12. Tab to Smart features in other Google products.
Press Space to turn it off. Save changes 13. Tab to Save changes. 14. Press Enter. Section 5
Checking That Everything Is Off
On iPhone and Android
Reopen Gmail Settings.
Confirm that Smart Reply Smart Compose and all smart feature options remain turned off.
On Mac and Windows
Refresh Gmail.
Reopen Settings and confirm that Smart Compose Smart Reply and all smart features are still disabled. Closing Notes
Once these options are turned off Gmail behaves more like a traditional email app.
The interface becomes calmer with fewer interruptions and more predictable behavior.
This setup works well for many screen reader users who value consistency clarity and control.
CoolHappenings® 