In the wake of last week’s redesign of the homescreen, the Google Gemini app for iPhone has been enhanced with new lockscreen widgets and direct accessibility within the Control Center.
The latest version of the Gemini app on iPhone now includes six circular widgets for the lockscreen:
- Type prompt: Are you unsure about something? Start typing immediately.
- Talk Live: Discuss ideas or brainstorm with Gemini.
- Open mic: Quickly activate your microphone to set reminders, create calendar entries, and more.
- Use camera: Capture a photo of your surroundings and ask Gemini for insights.
- Share image: Select an image to obtain additional information, generate new artwork, or initiate a conversation.
- Share file: Use a document to convey the details or inspiration behind your inquiry.
The primary shortcut opens the app and the keyboard, allowing you to start typing a query. You can now access Gemini Live directly, eliminating the two-step process. With the open mic feature, you can dictate queries directly, while the camera option allows in-app photography. The last two shortcuts provide instant access to image or file selectors.
Additionally, you can configure any of these six shortcuts to be displayed as corner buttons on the lockscreen, as well as in the Control Center, for immediate access without the need to navigate through the home or lockscreen.
These shortcuts enable you to swiftly launch Gemini, which ideally should have been available from the outset to compete with similar applications.
The Gemini app version 1.2025.0762303 is being released today via the App Store. The update notes also touch on recent additions:
- Share text, images, and links directly to Gemini from any application
- Deep Research functionality is now available within Gemini Advanced
- User interface enhancements and bug resolutions
