Chrome silently installs 4GB Gemini Nano AI model on users’ devices

Between late April and early May 2026, Google Chrome silently installed a 4 GB on-device AI model, Gemini Nano, on eligible desktop computers without a consent prompt. In February 2026, Google introduced a Chrome setting that lets users disable and remove the model.

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Gemini Nano runs locally on smartphones and laptops, performing tasks such as scam-call detection, text-message drafting, recording summarisation, and Pixel screenshot analysis. It differs from cloud-based “AI Mode,” which queries Gemini servers. The model occupies roughly 4 GB and installs only on devices meeting unspecified hardware thresholds for processing power, RAM, storage and bandwidth. Google has not disclosed how many installations have occurred.

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Security researcher Alexander Hanff argued the covert install may breach the EU General Data Protection Regulation’s principles of lawfulness, fairness and transparency, and could require reporting under the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive because of potential environmental impact. He warned that the practice undermines trust, citing Google’s two-decade record of large-scale privacy violations and the absence of user permission.

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A Google spokesperson told CNET that Gemini Nano will automatically uninstall on devices lacking sufficient resources. The spokesperson added that, as of February, users can turn off the model in Chrome’s Settings -> System menu; once disabled, the model will no longer download or receive updates.

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On macOS, open Finder -> Go -> Option -> Library -> Application Support -> Google -> Chrome -> Default and look for an OptGuideOnDeviceModel folder containing weights.bin; then disable On-device AI in Chrome Settings -> System. On Windows, run %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\OptGuideOnDeviceModel, verify weights.bin, turn off On-device AI, disable the “Enables optimization guide on device” flag, restart Chrome and delete the folder.

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Sources do not state how many users have the model, nor provide an EU regulator assessment. The exact hardware thresholds for eligibility remain undisclosed.

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• “In February, we began rolling out the ability for users to easily turn off and remove the model directly in Chrome settings,” the spokesperson said. “Once disabled, the model will no longer download or update.” — Google spokesperson

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• “Running inference on users' own hardware allows them to push 'AI features' without the compute costs,” Hanff told CNET. — Alexander Hanff

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• “Google has given us every reason not to trust them with a history spanning two decades of global privacy violations at massive scale,” Hanff told CNET. — Alexander Hanff

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• “Chrome did not ask” — Alexander Hanff

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The rollout was noted alongside coverage of Google I/O 2026, where new Gemini features were announced.

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