How to Turn Off Google Discover: A Step-by-Step Guide

In today’s digital world, Google Discover has become a prominent part of how many people consume information. With tailored news, articles, videos, and other content based on your browsing and search habits, it’s designed to give you what you want before you even ask for it. But for many users, that level of personalization can feel intrusive or just plain distracting. If you’re one of those people, you might be wondering: how do I turn off Google Discover?

Whether you’re looking for more privacy, a cleaner home screen, or simply want to stop seeing random articles, this step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know about turning off Google Discover on Android, iPhone, and other devices. We’ll also explore how Discover works, why it shows what it does, and how to control your experience without necessarily turning it off entirely.

Why Would You Want to Turn Off Google Discover?

Everyone’s reasons for turning off Google Discover are different, but some common motivations include:

• Distraction: Seeing a feed of trending news can pull you away from what you intended to do.
• Privacy concerns: The feed is powered by your activity, meaning it’s constantly tracking what you’re doing online.
• Irrelevant content: Discover can get it wrong and start showing you things you don’t care about.
• Clean interface: Minimalists or people who want a less cluttered device often prefer to remove unnecessary content.
• Reducing data usage: Discover loads articles, images, and videos that can consume mobile data.

How to Turn Off Google Discover on Android

If you use an Android device, chances are that Google Discover appears either within the Google app or by swiping left/right on your home screen. Here’s how to turn it off in both scenarios.

Method 1: Disable Discover in the Google App

1. Open the Google App on your Android phone.
2. Tap your profile picture in the top-right corner.
3. Select Settings.
4. Tap General.
5. Find the toggle switch for Discover and turn it off.

That’s it! You won’t see Discover in your Google app anymore. If you ever want it back, just toggle it on again.

Method 2: Disable the Discover Feed from the Home Screen (Pixel, Samsung, etc.)

Some Android launchers (like Pixel Launcher or Samsung’s One UI) have Google Discover built directly into the home screen experience.

For Pixel Devices:

1. Long-press on an empty area of your home screen.
2. Tap Home Settings.
3. Toggle off Show Google App or Swipe to Access Google App.

For Samsung Devices (Samsung Free or Google Discover):

1. Long-press on the home screen.
2. Swipe to the far left panel.
3. You’ll see either Samsung Free or Google Discover.
4. Toggle the switch off or select None.

This removes the Discover panel entirely from your home screen.

How to Turn Off Google Discover on iPhone

Google Discover is available on iOS through the Google App. Here’s how to disable it:

1. Open the Google app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right.
3. Go to Settings > General.
4. Toggle off Discover.

This disables the feed within the Google app. Since iPhones don’t support Discover as a home screen widget or panel, that’s all you need to do.

Optional: Customize or Mute Topics Instead of Turning It Off

If you like the idea of Google Discover but don’t like the content you’re seeing, you don’t have to turn it off completely. You can customize it instead:

To Customize Your Feed:

1. Open the Google App.
2. Tap the three dots next to any card/article.
3. Choose options like:
   • Not interested in this topic
   • Hide stories from [source]
   • Manage interests

This lets you fine-tune what you see without turning off Discover entirely.

How to Clear or Pause Activity That Feeds Discover

Even if you disable Google Discover, your activity is still being tracked unless you stop that too.

Clear Past Activity

1. Go to myactivity.google.com.
2. Click on Web & App Activity.
3. Choose Manage Activity.
4. You can delete specific items or all activity.

Pause Activity Tracking

1. Visit the Activity Controls page on Google.
2. Toggle off:
   • Web & App Activity
   • Location History
   • YouTube History

This will stop Google from using your data to personalize services—including Discover.

Does Turning Off Discover Affect Other Google Services?

Turning off Google Discover doesn’t impact other Google features like Search, Gmail, Maps, or YouTube. However, your Discover preferences are part of your overall Google account personalization—so if you also adjust things like search history or location tracking, it can affect your recommendations on YouTube, Google News, and even your ads.

Pros and Cons of Disabling Google Discover

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I disable Discover on just one device?
Yes. Google Discover settings are usually device-specific, so disabling it on your phone won’t turn it off on your tablet or other devices.

2. Can I block specific topics instead of the whole feed?
Absolutely. Use the “Not interested” feature to block certain topics or sources.

3. What if the toggle for Discover is missing?
It may depend on your device, Google app version, or whether a manufacturer like Samsung has replaced Discover with their own feed.

4. Does turning off Discover delete my data?
No, you have to manually clear your Google activity if you want to remove that data.

Conclusion

Google Discover can be a powerful and convenient tool for staying informed—but it’s not for everyone. Whether you’re looking for fewer distractions, more privacy, or just want to reclaim control of your screen, turning off Google Discover is easy and reversible. You can always turn it back on or fine-tune your preferences later.

The steps above should help you take full control over your Google experience, whether you’re on Android, iPhone, or managing your Google account online.