Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Google recently notified users that, starting July 7, 2025, Gemini will be able to assist with apps like Phone, Messages, and WhatsApp, regardless of whether Gemini Apps Activity is turned on or off.
- The vague wording in the email raised privacy concerns, with users unclear if Gemini will still access these apps even after opting out.
- While the email said users can disable these features in the “App settings,” it does not offer specific steps for doing so.
- Google has now clarified what the change really means and how it won’t impact the privacy of users who don’t want their Gemini chats to be reviewed or used to train the AI.
Update: June 26, 2025 (11:04 PM ET): Google has responded to an email query from Android Authority clarifying what the upcoming July 7 Gemini change on Android devices really means. You can read Google’s complete statement below:
This update is good for users: they can now use Gemini to complete daily tasks on their mobile devices like send messages, initiate phone calls, and set timers while Gemini Apps Activity is turned off. With Gemini Apps Activity turned off, their Gemini chats are not being reviewed or used to improve our AI models. As always, users can turn off Gemini’s connection to apps at any time by navigating to https://gemini.google.com/apps.
This means that Gemini will act more like a local assistant on your Android device and can now still help with basic tasks even if you’ve disabled Gemini App Activity. When Gemini App Activity is turned off, something you can do by navigating here or from your Gemini app’s settings on Android, your chats with the AI assistant will stay private and won’t be used to train the AI. You also have the option of disconnecting Gemini’s access to apps from the above link shared by Google.
While the wording of the email may have seemed concerning at first, there’s actually no major reason to worry. Gemini can access messages, WhatsApp, and system settings, but your privacy remains protected as long as Gemini Apps Activity is turned off.
Original article: June 26, 2025 (1:33 AM ET): Google’s Gemini team is apparently sending out emails about an upcoming change to how Gemini interacts with apps on Android devices. The email informs users that, come July 7, 2025, Gemini will be able to “help you use Phone, Messages, WhatsApp, and Utilities on your phone, whether your Gemini Apps Activity is on or off.” Naturally, this has raised some privacy concerns among those who’ve received the email and those using the AI assistant on their Android devices.
Not only has the ambiguity in the statement sparked confusion over whether Gemini will have access to said apps and services even if users have opted out of Gemini Apps Activity, but the email further notes that those who don’t want these features can disable them, with no clarity on how to do so.
Google’s vague guidance for opting out of this change reads, “If you don’t want to use these features, you can turn them off in Apps settings page.” There are no details on where to find the option or what exactly is being disabled, especially since the email states these changes will apply whether Gemini Apps Activity is on or off.
The link in the email reportedly redirects users to the Gemini Apps Privacy Hub, which, unfortunately, doesn’t offer much clarity on what’s changing. What does “help you use” mean in practice? Will Gemini be able to read or send messages, access call logs, or interact with third-party apps like WhatsApp by default, even when users have opted out of these integrations?
With the rollout less than two weeks away, we’ve reached out to Google for answers. The email was highlighted by tipster CID on X, as well as by other users. I use Gemini on my Android devices, but I haven’t received the email.
