Google's Gemini App Gets More Features on iPhone Ahead of iOS 18.4 Rollout

Google spun off its AI assistant, Gemini, from the main Google Search app into a standalone app on iOS last week. It has now improved the app to offer lock screen widgets and toggles in the Control Centre. The new features are now rolling out as part of the Gemini app version 1.2025.0762303 from the App Store.

According to the release notes of the new Gemini app version, the new version offers text- and image-based searches from any app through new controls.

— Share text, images, and links directly to Gemini from any app
— Deep Research is now available in Gemini Advanced
— UI improvements and bug fixes

There are a total of six new lock screen widgets now available for Google Gemini users on the iPhone:

— Type: Tapping this widget will directly open a new chat with Gemini.
— Talk Live: Using this widget, users can talk to Gemini Live directly.
— Open Mic: This widget quickly enables the microphone to let users set reminders and alarms, and create calendar events.
— Use camera: Users can access this widget to take a photo and then ask Gemini about what is in it.
— Share image: Tapping this widget lets users choose a photo and get information about it.
— Share file: Users can share files containing information about a question they have asked.

The main widget simply opens the Gemini app with the text field for typing, while a new widget can open Gemini Live right from the lock screen. All of these widgets can also be set as shortcuts in the Control Centre, making it easier to access Gemini from within any app.

The new Gemini features come weeks before iOS 18.4, Apple’s next major iPhone software update that will expand Apple Intelligence features to more countries, including India. It will also add Visual Intelligence features to two-year-old iPhone 15 Pro models.

Read more: iOS 18.4 Will Be Big for Indian iPhone Users: Top Features Coming in April