Yes—if by “turn it off” you mean switching off Gemini’s Keep Activity setting. Google’s current Android privacy documentation says Phone, Messages, WhatsApp and Device assistance may remain available when Keep Activity is off. That does not prove Gemini continuously reads every text or call: these integrations let Gemini perform particular requested actions, and the kind of access depends on the app, permissions and feature involved.
What “turn it off” means—and what it does not mean
The headline refers to turning off Keep Activity, Google’s setting for whether Gemini activity is saved and used for personalization. It does not mean that switching off this history setting disconnects every service Gemini can invoke. Google’s Privacy Hub, current as of June 29, 2026, says Phone, Messages, WhatsApp and Device assistance may be available on Android whether Keep Activity is on or off.
That is different from disabling the Gemini app or removing it from the phone. The documented change is about integrations remaining available with activity history off; it is not evidence that a disabled or uninstalled app keeps running. Which controls appear can vary by device, account, language and country.
Keep Activity, Connected Apps and Android permissions are separate controls
To understand what Gemini can do, check three settings areas rather than treating one activity switch as a master privacy control.
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| Control | What it governs | What it does not establish |
|---|---|---|
| Keep Activity | Whether Gemini activity is saved and used for personalization. | Turning it off does not, by itself, disconnect Phone, Messages, WhatsApp or Device assistance on Android. |
| Connected Apps | Which services Gemini can invoke, including supported Phone, Messages and WhatsApp integrations. | Disconnecting an integration does not necessarily remove separate Android permissions or notification access. |
| Android app and assistant permissions | Device-level access such as SMS, contacts or microphone permissions, and message access through notifications. | Permission needs depend on the feature; revoking one permission is not the same as changing Gemini activity history. |
| Message encryption | Whether a message created with Gemini has end-to-end encryption. | Activity history and Connected Apps settings do not change the encryption statement Google makes for Gemini-created messages. |
What Gemini can do with messages and calls
Google Messages
Google says the Google app needs SMS permission for the Messages integration. Gemini can send a Google Message with Keep Activity off. Separately, Google says Device assistance can read or reply to messages in notifications, so reviewing notification access matters if the goal is to prevent message content from reaching an assistant pathway.
Google’s Gemini Apps Help page states: “Messages that you create with the Gemini app are not end-to-end encrypted.” This specifically concerns messages created with Gemini; it should not be generalized into a claim about every message in Google Messages.
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Google says Gemini can make WhatsApp calls and send WhatsApp messages even when Keep Activity is off. Google also says Gemini cannot read or summarize WhatsApp message history or messages directly in WhatsApp. Disconnecting WhatsApp in Gemini therefore addresses that connected-app integration, but it may not remove other device-level access, such as contacts permission or message content available through notifications.
Phone and Device assistance
Google lists Phone and Device assistance among Android integrations that may remain available with Keep Activity off. Device assistance is particularly relevant to messages because Google documents that it can read or reply to messages in notifications. The available actions and controls can differ across devices and accounts; the activity-history setting alone does not tell you which permissions are currently granted on your phone.
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How to limit Gemini’s access on Android
- Disconnect integrations you do not want Gemini to use. In the Gemini app, open Connected Apps and disconnect Phone, Messages or WhatsApp as needed. The exact labels and availability can vary.
- Review Google app permissions. Long-press the Google app icon, then open App info → Permissions. Revoke SMS, Contacts, Microphone or other permissions you do not want granted. Consider what functionality you may lose when removing a permission.
- Check Device assistance and notification access. Review the assistant connection and relevant notification access in Android settings. If message notifications are visible to the assistant pathway, disconnecting WhatsApp alone may not address that access. Android labels and menu locations vary by version and manufacturer.
- Delete saved Gemini activity if that is your goal. In the Gemini app, delete Gemini Apps Activity by time range or remove individual items. Deleting stored activity is distinct from disconnecting an integration or revoking an Android permission.
- Disable or remove Gemini if you do not want the app. Uninstall Gemini where your device permits it, or switch the default assistant where that option is available. The available choice depends on your device and Android setup.
After changing settings, verify the Connected Apps list and Android permission screens on your own device. A menu label may differ, and a control’s presence can depend on account, country, language and software version.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why this changed
Google announced deeper Gemini integration with Android in August 2024, including plans for Phone and Messages. In June 2025, Android Authority reported that Google had emailed users about using Phone, Messages, WhatsApp and Utilities whether Gemini Apps Activity was on or off; Google later clarified the change. The rollout was reported to begin July 7, 2025. Google’s Privacy Hub now describes the Android availability of Phone, Messages, WhatsApp and Device assistance regardless of the Keep Activity setting.
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