Perplexity is designed to search the web by default. It pulls live information from multiple sources to answer your questions. But sometimes you want answers based only on what Perplexity already knows about you. This is where Memory mode helps. Memory stores your preferences, past conversations, and personal data. When you disable web search and rely on Memory only, Perplexity answers without pulling fresh data from the internet. This article explains how to switch to Memory-only mode, why you might want to, and what limitations to expect.
Key Takeaways: Disabling Web Search for Memory-Only Responses
- Focus Mode dropdown (Web / Academic / Writing / Math / Video / Social): Switching to Writing or Math mode disables live web search, relying on Memory and model knowledge instead.
- Settings > Profile > Memory: Review and manage stored personal data that Perplexity uses when web search is off.
- Search toggle in the input bar: Turn off the web search icon (globe) before asking a question to prevent live lookups.
What Memory-Only Mode Does in Perplexity
Memory in Perplexity stores information you provide explicitly or implicitly through your conversations. This includes your name, job role, preferred topics, and past queries. When web search is disabled, Perplexity answers using its internal model knowledge and your stored Memory. It does not fetch content from websites, databases, or real-time sources.
This mode is useful for tasks that do not require current data. Examples include summarizing your own notes, recalling personal preferences, or drafting text based on your writing style. It also reduces the chance of encountering irrelevant or outdated web results.
Prerequisites for Using Memory Only
Before you can use Memory-only mode, you need a Perplexity account. Free and Pro accounts both support Memory. You must have saved some information in Memory first. If Memory is empty, Perplexity will still answer but without any personal context. You can add details to Memory manually in Settings or let Perplexity learn from your conversations.
Steps to Disable Web Search and Use Memory Only
Follow these steps to turn off web search and rely solely on Memory for your next query.
- Open Perplexity and log in
Go to perplexity.ai and sign in to your account. The web search toggle and Focus Mode are available only when you are logged in. - Locate the Focus Mode dropdown
Find the dropdown menu below the search input bar. It shows the current mode, typically “Web” by default. Click the dropdown to see all options. - Switch to Writing or Math mode
Select “Writing” or “Math” from the list. Both modes disable live web search. Writing mode is best for text generation, editing, and personal queries. Math mode solves calculations without internet lookups. - Turn off the web search toggle
Look for a small globe icon next to the search input. Click it to turn off web search. A crossed-out globe icon indicates web search is disabled. This toggle works independently of Focus Mode. - Ask your question
Type your query in the input bar and press Enter. Perplexity will answer using its model knowledge and your Memory. It will not search the web.
Confirming Web Search Is Disabled
After following the steps, check the response. If Perplexity includes citations or references to websites, web search is still active. A Memory-only response will show no citations. You can also hover over the globe icon. A tooltip will read “Web search off” when disabled.
Common Mistakes and Limitations When Using Memory Only
Perplexity Still Shows Web Results After Switching Modes
This happens if you change Focus Mode but forget to toggle the web search icon. The two controls are separate. Focus Mode changes the search domain but does not guarantee web search is off. Always check the globe icon after switching modes.
Memory Does Not Include All Past Conversations
Memory stores only what Perplexity learns from your interactions. It does not keep a full chat history. If you need to reference a specific past answer, you must save it manually or ask Perplexity to remember it. Without that, Memory-only mode may not recall the detail you expect.
Answers May Be Less Accurate Without Web Search
Perplexity’s internal model knowledge has a cutoff date. For topics that require recent information, Memory-only mode will give outdated or incorrect answers. Use Memory-only for personal or creative tasks. For factual or current questions, keep web search on.
Cannot Use Memory Only on Mobile App in All Regions
The web search toggle is available on the Perplexity mobile app for iOS and Android. However, some regional versions may not display the toggle. If you do not see the globe icon, use the web version at perplexity.ai instead.
Perplexity Web Search vs Memory Only: Key Differences
| Item | Web Search On | Memory Only (Web Search Off) |
|---|---|---|
| Data source | Live websites, databases, real-time feeds | Model knowledge and stored Memory |
| Citations provided | Yes, with links to sources | No citations |
| Best use case | Current events, research, fact-checking | Personal writing, planning, creative tasks |
| Memory influence | Memory is used alongside web results | Memory is the only personal data used |
| Response speed | Slower due to web fetching | Faster, no network lookups |
You can now disable web search in Perplexity and rely on Memory only for personal queries. Switch to Writing or Math mode and turn off the globe icon before asking. Review your Memory in Settings > Profile > Memory to ensure it contains the information you need. For tasks that require current data, re-enable web search by clicking the globe icon again.