On-device AI features in Google Chrome are using more storage space than expected on some computers. When certain AI features are turned on in the browser, the file called weights.bin, downloaded for the Gemini Nano model, takes up approximately 4 GB of space on some systems. The Gemini Nano file affects storage space in Chrome. Google Chrome’s new artificial intelligence features are not just about services running on the cloud.
Some operations in the browser are carried out directly on the device. For this, the Gemini Nano model is downloaded to the computer and stored in Chrome’s system folders. The file in question is called weights.bin. Users started seeing this file located under the Chrome directory after noticing that storage space on their desktop devices was decreasing faster than expected. The file reaches approximately 4 GB in size on some installations.
This file is associated with Gemini Nano. Gemini Nano powers on-device AI features in Chrome. These include fraud detection, typing assistance, autofill and suggestion features. Since the model works locally, some data is processed on the device without being sent to the cloud. The equivalent of this is keeping a large model file in the computer’s storage area. Chrome’s on-device artificial intelligence approach provides an advantage, especially on the privacy side.
Since the processing is done on-device, some AI tasks are completed directly with the local model. However, on computers with low storage space, a 4 GB file can make a serious difference. Especially on devices with 128 GB or 256 GB SSD, this size is large enough for users to notice. It is stated that the file can be seen in the OptGuideOnDeviceModel directory within the Chrome data folders. If the weights.bin file is located in this folder, it appears that Chrome has downloaded the Gemini Nano model to your device.
Deleting this file directly does not provide a permanent solution. As long as the relevant on-device artificial intelligence features remain turned on in Chrome, the browser can re-download the file later. For this reason, users who want to reclaim storage space need to turn off the relevant option in Chrome settings. To do this, go to the System section from the Settings menu in Chrome and turn off the On-device AI option.
When this setting is disabled, features dependent on on-device AI models do not work, but the model file is not re-downloaded. Google’s official statements state that on-device generative AI models can be downloaded by Chrome in the background. When these models are deleted, features that depend solely on these models become unavailable. Other AI features that do not require an on-device generative model can continue to work.
Google also states that the exact size of Gemini Nano may change with browser updates. The current model size can be checked on the chrome://on-device-internals page. This page serves as a technical checkpoint for users who want to see whether the model is installed on the device and its current status. There are also some system-side requirements for Chrome to download the on-device AI model. Google’s developer documentation includes information that features that use built-in AI APIs require at least 22 GB of free space on the disk containing the Chrome profile.
If the available space falls below 10 GB after the model is downloaded, the model is removed from the device and can be downloaded again when the requirements are met again.
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