Google Enhances iPhone Integration with New Gemini Lock Screen Widgets

You Can Add These New Gemini Widgets to Your iPhone Lock Screen

You can now use Siri with added ChatGPT on your iPhone, but Google is keen for you to use its Gemini AI bot instead: A few months ago, an official Gemini iPhone app was launched, and now we have some lock screen widgets to go with it. While you can't swap out the iPhone's default digital assistant entirely, as you can on Android, these six new lock screen widgets do give you easier access to Gemini on iOS, and are handy shortcuts if you prefer Google's AI. The widgets are available to you whether or not you're paying $20 a month for Gemini Advanced. To make use of these widgets, you first need Google Gemini for iOS installed. Launch the app after it's been downloaded, and you'll be asked to sign into your Google account. Next, switch to the lock screen, long press on a blank part of it, then choose Customize. Tap inside any of the widget spaces -- just below the clock, or in the lower corners -- to find all of your widgets options, including the Gemini ones. Choose Gemini from the list, swipe left or right to scroll between the widgets on offer, then tap on the one you want to use or drag it into place on screen. First up there's Type prompt, which does exactly what its name suggests: It brings up the Gemini app and lets you start a new conversation with a text prompt. For a voice chat instead, you can add Talk Live, which launches the Gemini Live experience -- designed to mimic talking to a person as much as possible. Open mic leads you to the more basic voice interaction mode in Gemini, while Use camera sends you straight to the camera interface: You can snap a picture of something and ask Gemini questions about it (like what species of flower you're looking at, or how to fix something that's broken). Share image lets you pick an image from your iPhone for Gemini to work with -- to ask a question about it, for example, or to create new AI art -- and finally there's Share file, which lets you give Gemini a file to analyze. One way to use this would be to have the AI assistant summarize a PDF. All these widgets worked as advertised during my testing, and do indeed allow quick and easy access into the Gemini interface. You're only saving a couple of taps each time, but those taps can add up if you're using Gemini a lot -- even if it's not quite as simple to get to Gemini as it is to Siri. The widgets should be available now in version 1.2025.0762303 of Google Gemini in the App Store. The release notes also mention improvements to the user interface, bug fixes, the option to share text, images, and links directly to Gemini from any other app, and access to Deep Research for Gemini Advanced users.

You can now access Gemini from your iPhone's lock screen

The widgets include instant access to voice input, image recognition, and file analysis Google just made it a whole lot easier to talk to Gemini on an iPhone, even before it's unlocked. The Gemini app now offers widgets for iPhone lock screens and Control Center, making it feel less like a third-party chatbot and more like a built-in feature of iOS. The six new lock screen widgets provide instant access to a different Gemini function. Before this update, getting to Gemini meant unlocking your phone, finding and opening to the app, and then choosing what you wanted to do. While hardly an ordeal, it wasn't exactly seamless. Now, though, you can jump straight into the action with a single tap. The "Type Prompt" widget lets you quickly fire off a question to Gemini without opening the full app. Need a quick answer on whether penguins have knees? Now, you can find out without disrupting whatever else you are doing. "Talk Live" is similarly handy, letting you dive straight into a real-time conversation with Gemini, skipping the previous extra step of launching the chat first. The "Open Mic" option is perfect for when your hands are full, but you suddenly remember you need to set a reminder, schedule a meeting, or ask Gemini to draft an email. If you're the kind of person who frequently thinks of to-do list items at the worst possible times, this could save you from the familiar cycle of "I'll remember that later" and then, inevitably, forgetting. There are also camera-based features that turn Gemini into an on-demand visual search engine. The "Use Camera" widget lets you snap a photo and ask questions about what's in front of you, which is great for identifying mysterious ingredients in your fridge or confirming that the spider in your bathroom is probably harmless. The "Share Image" and "Share File" options let you upload existing media for Gemini to analyze, whether you want more information, some creative inspiration, or just someone (or something) to acknowledge your latest masterpiece. If you'd rather make Gemini more invisible, you can set the shortcuts to the corner buttons where the flashlight and camera buttons usually reside. You can also make them part of Control Center, allowing you to swipe down in iOS to see them. Google seems eager to make Gemini feel more at home on your iPhone than Siri, frankly. It's also notable that Gemini's attempt to fit in on the iPhone comes as Apple is working to rework Siri for the new AI age. As that complete retooling hasn't arrived yet, Google might be trying to get iPhone users used to Gemini before Siri's AI makeover debuts. It also sets the stage for a new kind of rivalry among AI assistants. Rather than being relegated to an app you visit when you remember it exists, AI is becoming a more immediate, everyday presence. With these new widgets, interacting with Gemini can be as habitual as checking notifications or adjusting brightness. That's a big leap from the days of virtual assistants feeling like novelties that you'd occasionally ask to tell you a joke before forgetting about them entirely. For now, this update is a clear win for iPhone users who enjoy using Gemini. It makes the assistant faster, more accessible, and more seamlessly integrated into daily life. Whether this is the beginning of a full-scale AI assistant takeover remains to be seen, but it will certainly be harder to ignore if you add it to your lock screen.

Gemini App on iPhone Will Now Let You Talk to AI Directly from Lockscreen

The type prompt widget lets users directly type a query Gemini app's Talk Live widget directly opens Gemini Live Google has also added widgets for image and file sharing Gemini for iOS received a new update on Monday that introduced multiple new lockscreen widgets for the artificial intelligence (AI) app. There are six lockscreen widgets in total that iPhone users can set to quickly access specific features of the Gemini app without having to unlock the device first. Alongside the widgets, Google has also added Control Centre access for its AI app, and users can now add Gemini for convenience. Notably, the Mountain View-based tech giant also showcased new Gemini Live features at the Mobile World Congress (2025) in Barcelona. Gadgets 360 staff members spotted the new lockscreen widgets in the app on Monday. It was shipped with the Gemini for iOS app version 1.2025.0762303. Most iPhone users should have received the update already, but if not, it should arrive in the next few days. There are six new lockscreen widgets that all offer different use cases. First is the "Type Prompt" that allows users to directly type a query to Gemini and see the response without ever unlocking the device. Another interesting widget is Talk Live that directly opens Gemini Live and lets users have a real-time two-way conversation with the AI. Notably, this is the only way iOS users can avoid the two-step process of accessing Gemini Live. Google also added an Open Mic lockscreen widget. This will quickly open the microphone to let users speak their prompts instead of typing them. The fourth widget, dubbed Use Camera, opens the camera to quickly capture an image and shares it with Gemini. Users can then ask queries about the image. Final two lockscreen widgets are Share Image and Share File. These let users quickly share images and files with Gemini, respectively, and ask queries about them. Notably, any of these widgets can also be set as the corner buttons on the iPhone's lockscreen. In case users do not prefer to use Gemini as lockscreen widget, they can also add it to Control Centre. The iOS app recently received another update that added Deep Research to Gemini Advanced users. The update now also allows users to share text, images, and links directly to the AI chatbot from any app.

iPhone users can now access Google Gemini faster than ever

Google Gemini users can now access the AI chatbot directly from their iPhone's lock screen, following an update released on Monday, as initially reported by 9to5Google. This update allows users to call up Gemini Live, Google's real-time voice feature, before unlocking their phones by adding a Gemini widget to their lock screens. As Apple's AI-enabled Siri reportedly faces development delays until 2027, competitors are stepping in to provide iPhone users with alternative AI assistants. These features offer iPhone users a preview of the capabilities of large language models (LLMs) and voice assistants, although Apple's future LLM-powered Siri may be more seamlessly integrated with the iPhone's functions upon release. Besides the Gemini Live feature, the updated Gemini app includes several additional lock screen widgets. These are designed for various tasks: taking pictures using the iPhone camera and uploading them to Gemini; setting reminders and calendar events; and enabling direct access to text chats with Gemini. Google also announced that later in March, Gemini users on Android will be able to ask the AI chatbot questions about video and onscreen content, receiving real-time answers. These features, originating from Project Astra -- Google DeepMind's multimodal AI initiative -- will initially be available to subscribers of the $20-per-month Gemini Advanced plan. The Gemini iPhone app now features six circular lock screen widgets: The main shortcut opens the app and keyboard to start typing a prompt, and users can now launch Gemini Live directly, streamlining this previously two-step process. The Open mic function allows users to enter text prompts via voice, and the camera feature can be launched instantly. The last two shortcuts provide quick access to image or file pickers. Users can customize any of these six shortcuts to appear as corner buttons on their lock screens or within the Control Center. This strategic move by Google aims to position Gemini as a strong competitor to Apple's Siri and OpenAI's ChatGPT, especially amid Siri's developmental challenges. Version 1.2025.0762303 of the Gemini app is currently rolling out via the App Store, with release notes highlighting recent launches such as the ability to share text, images, and links directly to Gemini from any app, the introduction of Deep Research in Gemini Advanced, and various UI improvements and bug fixes. Google Gemini 2.0 is now open to all, boosts virtual agent push The introduction of these widgets aligns with a series of updates intended to integrate Gemini more deeply into the iOS ecosystem. Launched as a standalone app for iOS last November, this version allows users to interact with the AI assistant without needing the main Google app. The standalone app features a straightforward interface, a chat window, and a history of previous interactions, allowing input via text, voice, and camera. The launch of iOS 18 further enhanced the Google Search widget, introducing customizable shortcuts, with one allowing users to access Gemini directly from the home screen. Reports indicate that Apple is making slow progress in advancing Siri's capabilities, with a comprehensive overhaul potentially years away. Google's enhancements to Gemini's accessibility and functionality on iOS signal the company's intention to attract users seeking a reliable alternative AI assistant.

Forget Siri -- Google just brought its Gemini widgets to the iPhone

Google has recently enhanced its Gemini AI assistant for iOS, introducing lock screen widgets that offer iPhone and iPad users more immediate access to its features. This strategic move undoubtedly aims to position Gemini as a formidable alternative to Apple's Siri and OpenAI's ChatGPT, especially as Apple faces challenges in advancing Siri's capabilities. The latest update to the Gemini app introduces six circular lock screen widgets, each designed to facilitate quick access to specific functionalities. These widgets can be customized as corner buttons on the lock screen or within the Control Center, allowing users to tailor their Gemini experience to their preferences. Introducing these widgets follows a series of updates aimed at integrating Gemini more deeply into the iOS ecosystem. The standalone Gemini app for iOS launch last November, meant that users could effectively interact with the AI assistant without navigating through the main Google app. This standalone app offers a straightforward interface with a chat window and a history of previous interactions, supporting text, voice, and camera inputs. The launch of iOS 18 revamped the Google Search widget to include customizable shortcuts, one of which being Gemini. This enhancement enables users to launch Gemini directly from their home screen, making AI-driven assistance easily accessible. Google's efforts to integrate Gemini into iOS devices appear to be a calculated strategy to capitalize on Siri's current limitations. Reports indicate that Apple is experiencing slow progress in developing a more advanced version of Siri, with a significant overhaul potentially years away. By enhancing Gemini's accessibility and functionality on iOS, it's evident that Google hopes to attract users seeking a different AI assistant. I initially found it challenging to locate and enable a few of the Gemini widgets, but I quickly discovered that they were common. However, Google has provided guidance through its support channels, advising users to ensure they have the latest version of the Gemini app installed and that their device is running the most recent iOS update. As AI assistants become increasingly integral to daily life, the competition among tech giants to provide the most efficient and user-friendly options intensifies. The continuous development and refinement of AI assistants like Gemini and Siri will likely lead to more personalized and seamless user experiences. For iOS users, the availability of alternatives such as Gemini allows them to choose an AI assistant that best aligns with their preferences and requirements.

Google brings Gemini widgets to iPhone as it looks to seize on Siri's weaknesses

Google's Gemini app for iOS and iPadOS now includes a handful of lockscreen widgets that make it easier (and faster) to access the AI assistant's various features. As noted by 9to5Google, the app's latest update adds six widgets in total, with each of them letting you hop right into a particular Gemini function. The company seems to be making a very intentional effort to lure iPhone and iPad users away from Siri -- or at least get people using Gemini instead of OpenAI's ChatGPT whenever they want to interact with a large language model. Google has also recently been advertising Gemini on Apple-centric tech podcasts. This all comes as Apple reportedly finds itself making slow progress at developing a smarter, more capable Siri that can compete with today's leading AI platforms. Over the weekend, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that a truly overhauled Siri is likely still several years away. So if you're Google, this full-court press to establish familiarity with Gemini in the meantime makes a lot of sense. Apple itself may offer Gemini as yet another resource for Apple Intelligence in the coming months. As for the widgets, here's what Google says each one does: Google released a standalone Gemini app for iOS back in November, splitting it off from the main Google search app.

You can now talk to Google Gemini from your iPhone's lock screen | TechCrunch

Google Gemini users can now access the AI chatbot directly from the iPhone's lock screen, thanks to an update released on Monday first spotted by 9to5Google. Users can now call up Gemini Live, Google's relatively real-time voice feature for its AI chatbot, before they unlock their phone by adding a Gemini widget to their lock screen. As Apple's version of an AI-enabled Siri reportedly faces delays until 2027, competitors in the AI space are stepping in to supply iPhone users with AI assistants of their own. These features may give iPhone users a sense of what's possible with LLMs and voice assistants, though Apple's version of an LLM-powered Siri may be far more integrated with the iPhone's other functions when it ultimately ships. ChatGPT's iOS app also lets users call up OpenAI's near real-time voice feature, Advanced Voice Mode, from the lock screen. Besides Gemini Live, the updated Gemini app also includes several other lock screen widgets, including one for taking pictures using the iPhone camera and uploading them to Gemini; one for setting reminders and calendar events; or another that lets users jump straight to a text chat with Gemini. Google also announced on Monday that later in March, it would allow Gemini users on Android to ask its AI chatbot questions about video and onscreen content, and get answers in real time. These features were first unveiled as part of Project Astra, Google DeepMind's multimodal AI project that is slowly making its way into the Gemini app. To start, these features will be available for subscribers to Google's $20-a-month Gemini Advanced plan.

It's Now Even Easier to Use Google Gemini on Your iPhone

Why I'm Keeping My AirPods Pro 2 After Trying Out the Powerbeats Pro 2 It's now even easier to take advantage of Google Gemini's AI features on your iPhone. The standalone app has just been updated with a number of lock screen widgets. Access Google Gemini Features With a Single Tap Make sure your Google Gemini app is updated to the most recent version to use any of the widgets. Here's a roundup of all six circular options you can select from: Type prompt: Stuck on a question? Type anything right away. Talk Live: Talk things through, or brainstorm aloud with Gemini. Open mic: Quickly open your mic to set reminders, create calendar events, and more. Use camera: Take a photo of what's in front of you, and ask Gemini all about it. Share image: Choose an image to get more info, create new art, or start a chat. Share file: Use a file to share the information or inspiration behind your question. To add a widget to your lock screen, long press your current option and then select Customize. Choose Lock Screen, and then you can begin editing. You can add widgets below the date and time and on the bottom left and right-hand side of the page. Since Gemini's widgets are the smallest size possible, you could add all six to your lock screen if you choose. With the huge number of AI options available, especially on the iPhone, Google made a smart move by adding lock screen widgets for Gemini. The voice mode widget is especially handy as it was previously a two-step process to bring up the feature after opening the Gemini app. Google Gemini Offers Some Great Features Especially if you're an iPhone user, you might not have taken advantage of Gemini. But now is definitely the time, especially with the new lock screen widgets. There are several reasons why Gemini deserves your attention. One of my favorite features to use is Gemini Live, the AI voice mode. Gemini Live is the best AI voice chat option available. It's free to use with no time limits and can be used for a wide variety of options, like learning a new language or preparing for a job interview.