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To stop Chrome from downloading on-device AI models on your computer, open More > Settings > AI Innovations and turn On-device AI off. Chrome removes its local generative AI model files and will not download them again while the setting remains off. Features that require those models will stop working.

Turn off On-device AI in Chrome

  1. Open Chrome on your computer.
  2. Select More (the three-dot menu), then Settings.
  3. Select AI Innovations.
  4. Turn On-device AI off.

Google identifies this toggle as the only supported way to manage Chrome’s on-device generative AI models. See Google Chrome Help: Manage on-device Generative AI models in Chrome.

What happens after you turn it off

  • Chrome removes its on-device generative AI model files from the device.
  • Chrome does not download those models again while the setting is off, even if you try to use a feature that needs one.
  • Features that rely on these models stop working. Some other Chrome AI features may continue if they do not depend on the local models.
  • To use model-dependent features again, turn the setting back on. Chrome may then download the required models if the device meets the requirements.

Why deleting model files manually is not the fix

Do not try to manage the downloads by finding and deleting model files yourself. Google does not recommend manual deletion; it may not prevent another download because Chrome’s setting controls model management. Use the supported toggle instead.

Who can change the setting, and where it applies

The consumer setting is per user and per device. People sharing a computer can have separate settings, and one person can have different settings on different devices. Turning it off on one user’s profile or device does not itself change another user’s setting.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
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Chrome only downloads on-device models to eligible devices. Google lists an unmetered network connection, approximately 20 GB of free disk space, and sufficient device performance as requirements. The 20 GB figure is an approximate minimum free-space condition for downloading, not the size of the models; Google notes that device requirements can change. Details are in Google Chrome Help.

For Chrome Enterprise administrators

In managed Chrome environments, model downloads and use are subject to administrator policy. Google’s policy reference describes Local foundational model settings, which control downloading the foundational generative AI model and its use for local inference. The documented default is automatic download; administrators can select Do not download model. The documentation also mentions Component updates as another way to prevent model downloading. See Chrome Enterprise and Education Help: Set Chrome policies for users or browsers.

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Administrators should verify the active policy configuration and its scope in their managed deployment. The local-model download control is distinct from Chrome’s broader generative AI default policy.

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Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
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