Google Gemini tests branch feature to create new conversational threads like ChatGPT

Gemini is all set to branch out with a new ChatGPT-style feature

It makes it easier to explore different responses without losing your original thread. Google is working on a meaningful upgrade for Gemini that'll allow users to engage in deeper conversations about the same topic. Also, this is one feature that ChatGPT power users will recognize instantly. While playing around with version 17.10.54.sa.arm64 of the Google app, we found evidence of a new Gemini feature that lets you "branch" conversations inside the Gemini app. The feature isn't live yet and currently needs some tinkering to enable, but it already appears functional. This is very much how actual human conversations work, where you can talk around a topic without losing track of what you started talking about in the first place. In Gemini, the feature will allow you to experiment with prompts or compare answers without starting from scratch. If the feature sounds familiar, it's because ChatGPT has offered a similar "Branch in new chat" option for some time now. Google has also experimented with this idea before in AI Studio, but this would be the first time it shows up in the Gemini app for regular users. From what we can see, the feature is simple to use. You tap the three-dot menu on a Gemini response and select "Branch in new chat." Gemini then instantly opens a new conversation with that point as the starting context, and labels it with a "Branch:" tag so you can tell it apart from your main thread. There's a small but important detail in how this works. If you're deep into a conversation and choose to branch from an earlier reply, the new chat only carries forward everything up to that point. Anything that came after is left behind. Anyhow, branching sounds like a pretty useful feature and could make Gemini much more useful for complex chats. Right now, trying different ideas in the same thread can quickly get messy. Branching keeps things cleaner and gives you more control over how you explore responses. There's no official word on when or if this will roll out. However, since Google has already built the feature for AI Studio, there's a good chance it'll be released to regular Gemini users soon.

Google Gemini may borrow this useful tool from ChatGPT

Chethan is a reporter at Android Police, focusing on the weekend news coverage for the site. He has covered tech for over a decade with multiple publications, including the likes of Times Internet, Guiding Tech, and Android Headlines, to name a few. Chethan's love for Android dates back to the days of the Samsung/Google Nexus S, with his first Android phone being the HTC Desire HD back in 2010. Away from work, he's on the lookout for live cricket streams or NBA highlights. He also enjoys the occasional hour or two of console/mobile gaming whenever time permits. If you've ever spent some time brainstorming an idea with Google Gemini, you'll know that slightly deviating from the core topic can add a lot of confusion to the conversation. The solution is typically to go back and start afresh, which also means you lose everything you've discussed until that point. Rival AI chatbot ChatGPT addressed this concern in September last year with a feature called branched chats, enabling users to open a new chat off of a response. Android Authority has now uncovered evidence suggesting Google Gemini is gearing up to implement a similar feature for its app. Looking into version 17.10.54.sa.arm64 (beta) of the Google app, the site uncovered and activated the "Branch in new chat" functionality. When available, this tool will be accessible via the three-dot button below each Gemini response, located next to the thumbs-up/down and share icons. Each conversation will appear individually in the Chats section, along with the "Branch" prefix to help you determine between main and branched chats. This has been a long-requested Gemini feature The upcoming Branch in new chat option within the three-dot menu (image 1); Branched conversations in the Chats section As you would expect, the branch will only factor in the information it has received up to that point. This means if you create a chat branch from an earlier Gemini response, the branch will not consider information discussed beyond that response. There's no word on when this feature will be available to Gemini users on Android. But since it appears to be functioning as intended already, albeit after manual intervention by Android Authority, we hope Google won't take too long. Related Google is quietly working on a big upgrade for Gemini Live It's getting a lot smarter Posts By Rahul Naskar In addition to helping you explore a different topic away from the main chat, branched chats are also great for asking follow-up questions without impacting the conversation. The existing solution is to return to the main page and open a new Gemini chat, thereby keeping the main chat unaffected. But this new chat won't have any of the context discussed in the main chat. Branched chats effectively solve that problem. As Android Authority points out, Google offers a similar tool in AI Studio, enabling users to test different prompts and their results. However, this is the first indication of its arrival on the main Gemini app. It has also been a widely requested feature for several months now, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that Gemini is finally working on it. Subscribe for newsletter coverage of Gemini's new branches Get the newsletter for focused coverage of AI chat features like Gemini's branched chats, direct comparisons with rival tools, and clear explanations of how branching affects conversation context and follow-ups. Get Updates By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. We presume the tool will appear first for desktop users of Gemini and later trickle down to the Android and iOS apps.