Gemini began its ancestry in December 2023 and has slowly been working on all the facets of Google Life. Perhaps confusingly, Gemini is both the name of the Google Chatbot AI and the artificial intelligence platform in which it is executed.
For most people, Gemini is the replacement for the Google assistant, that happy friend to go to the one you would bark several commands, perhaps to turn on the lights, perhaps to issue a message, perhaps to find information. Gemini will replace the Google assistant, with Google confirming that the assistant will have gone on telephones at the end of 2025.
So it is like using Gemini on Android and I will also immerse myself in some of the other aspects of Gemini you get on Android phones. For these steps and screenshots, I used Pixel 9 Pro XL, but I have also used Gemini in a wide range of other Android devices, including Samsung phones.
Tools and requirements
There are several things you will need to use Gemini on Android:
- An Android phone with at least 2 GB of RAM and with Android 10 or later
- A Google account that has access to Gemini
- The Google application
- The Gemini application – optional
Gemini is baked in the Google application, so even if you do not have the Gemini application, you can access Gemini. The Gemini application offers the complete experience on an Android phone.
Fast steps to use Gemini on Android
Most Android phones will invite you to customize Gemini during the configuration process, or have been asked to try Gemini instead of Google Assistant at some point. But if he has a phone and does not have Gemini in him, this is what he should do.
- Verify operating system updates and update the Google application.
- Open the Google application.
- Touch your account superior to the right and then Settings.
- Leverage Gemini To access all Gemini settings.
- In Google digital attendeesMake sure Gemini is selected.
- If you want access to hands free, make sure Hey Google is activated “Hi Google” and Voice Match.
- Open the device configuration and search Gestures.
- Select if you want Fast touch To open Gemini or Hold the ignition button.
- For a more complete experience Download the Gemini application.
Step by step guide to use Gemini on Android
In most cases, your Android phone will have been begging to use Gemini for some time.
Gemini is available through several different routes and the language is sometimes a bit confusing because it is the platform that feeds AI within Google applications, as well as a chatbot itself. These steps will ensure that you have Gemini and you know how to activate it.
1. Update your phone and google application
(Image: © Future / Chris Hall)
A fast and easy starting point, make sure your phone is updated. Enter Settings > System > Software updates. In some devices this is only Settingson some devices could in On the phone. Be sure to run the last software.
Also make sure your applications are updated. Go to Play Store, touch the account icon up to the right, then Manage applications and devices. This will verify the updates of your applications. You must ensure that the Google application is updated.
2. Verify the configuration in the Google application
(Image: © Future / Chris Hall)
Because Gemini is executed as part of the Google application, most of the configurations for the AI assistant can be found here. Google’s application only has the Google “G” icon. Open this and then again Touch the icon of your corne account of the upper rightA, then hit Settings.
Then find Gemini And touch that. Now you will be looking at all Gemini settings specifically. First you want to make sure your phone is using Gemini, so address Google digital attendees and select Gemini. He currently also has the option of using Google Assistant, but this will be deleted later in 2025.
3. Select how Gemini will activate
(Image: © Future / Chris Hall)
There are several routes to access Gemini, in which I will immerse myself now. First, you can use “Hi Google” to activate Gemini (even on the lock screen). In the Gemini configuration as detailed above, go to “Hi Google” and Voice Match and you will find the lever to Hello Google. If you have not used this before, your phone will guide you through the process, but that will give you hands -free access. (If you are on a Samsung phone, you will currently find this in the Google Assistant Configuration within the Google application).
To access Gemini from the lock screen, touch Gemini on the lock screen where Gemini can enable without unlocking his phone.
Most phones will have an assigned key to launch Gemini, in the pixel and many others, is the ignition button. To change this head to Settings > System > Gestures To control hardware trigger. You can select Hold the ignition button and choose Launch “digital assistant” (Gemini) through this route. O You can assign Gemini to launch through Fast touch to start shares.
In the fast touch configuration, you will have to alternate in the gesture, then you can select ‘Access your digital assistant’. This option is only available in Pixel and not all Android devices offer it.
However, there is a third route, which is a diagonal blow from the lower corner of the phone. This was originally the launch gesture for the Google assistant, but still survives. If you are not turned on by default, go to Settings > System > Navigation mode. If you are using gesture navigation (sliding navigation) on your phone, touch the configuration icon and there is the option of ‘Slip to invoke the assistant’.
4. Use Gemini and download the application
(Image: © Future / Chris Hall)
Gemini will now be open and listening, so you can speak or write indications to obtain the answers you want. All this works without having the Gemini application, but for a more complete experience, download the application. from Google Play. That will also give you the option to open the application directly to start your Gemini interaction.
Without the application, you have the option of loading files and images in Gemini and using Gemini Live, so the functionality is not really lost, but I find that the application is a good place to start.
What does Gemini do on Android?
We have a complete guide for Google Gemini here, but to cover the basic concepts, Gemini offers a complete range of functions, starting with the supply of information and reasoning with the ability to remember previous conversations for the context. Gemini can also access your data on things like Google Calendar, you can control music through Spotify and can find and activate navigation with Google Maps.
For some of these functions, it relies on the existing skills of the Google assistant and, in some cases, you will have to confirm a manually.
Gemini can also offer some device controls, such as changing the volume or turning on the flashlight. For the functions that Gemini cannot control, it will offer the configuration, for example, brightness controls.
Many people use Gemini instead of Google’s direct search, which is where AI has an advantage. If you request a suggestion as “Greek recipes that include a chicken and salad plate,” Gemini will offer both recipes, quantities and ingredients. Do the same through Google and you will be presented with many website options for those dishes.
Gemini remembers that conversation, so you can return more relevant information: if you then ask what temperature should be the oven, you know you are talking about that Greek chicken recipe. You can also request weights and measures to become from imperial to metric, for example, so it is a much more attractive experience.
You can also use Gemini to create images, take or load images to identify what is in them and talk about them, or load documents for the analysis.
What about Gemini Live?
Gemini Live began life as a subscription offer, which allows a continuous conversational dialogue with Gemini, but now it is free for all users. It is designed for an interrogation, planning and more complex decision making, assisted by AI.
In addition to the conversation, Gemini Live also accepts the visual entry with the ability to share its screen with Gemini, as well as use the live camera. When sharing the camera, you can have live conversations about what you can see.
Gemini Live can be accessed through the Gemini OA application through the Gemini indicator when touching the icon.
You can also access Gemini Live through headphones (as can normal Gemini), which means that you can walk in discussion with Gemini in your ear.
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