How to Turn Off Meta AI on Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook

May. 20, 2024

Wondering what’s the new blue circle appearing on the search bar of your favorite social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp? It’s actually Meta’s version of ChatGPT, simply called theMeta AI. It can summarize texts, write captions, and even create images. However, the integration of the AI chatbot feels forced and intrusive. If you are not a fan of the Meta AI, then keep reading as we discuss the possibility of whether you can turn it off.

Can You Turn Off Meta AI?

No. There isno working method to turn off Meta AI. Be it Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp, you cannot turn off or restrict the chatbot from appearing in the UI. Ignoring it is also not an option, as it shows AI suggestions whenever you use the search box in any of Meta’s suite of apps. There was a block and restrict option available before, but it has been removed since.

Meta AI can even come up in the feed as well, and Messenger has an entire tab dedicated to it. That is why I used the term forced. Meta wants to join the likes of Microsoft and Google, adding its own generative AI chatbot in all its apps and services, whether users want it or not. But Meta’s attempt is the laziest of them all. It’s just available as a chat option and that’s it.

If you accidentally talk with Meta AI, you might receive a notification just like regular chats. Even though you cannot disable the AI chatbot, you can mute it in WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook apps to not be reminded of its existence. Here’s how you can do that:

We have a workaround in store for you to help you avoid Meta AI at all costs. Meta has not made their AI chatbot available on the web apps. So, Androidusers can installFacebook LiteandInstagram Liteappsfrom the Google Play Store. The Lite version is basically a web app so you won’t find the AI chatbot there.

But these apps are not available on the iOS side of things. Therefore, iPhone users have to add a shortcut for the web version using Safari. Here are the steps to do that.

This will add the shortcut to your home screen and will look just like the regular app icon. The web version works similarly to the mobile app, except it is slightly slower and some options and features might either work differently or not work at all.

It is pretty outrageous that users have no control over this experimental feature from Meta. Adding AI for the sake of it is why I and many others find it annoying. It also raises questions regarding user privacy.

It is also unclear how long the workaround we mentioned is sustainable, as Meta AI could become available in the web version soon. At that point, your only option would be to ignore it if you don’t want to use it. If you found this guide helpful, then do let us know in the comments below.

As a tech journalist, I dive into the ever-evolving tech landscape with a particular interest for smartphones, apps, and gaming. With a passion for sharing insights, my articles blend expertise with a friendly touch—think of me as your friendly neighborhood tech support.