Google Gemini Testing Chat History Import from Competing AI Apps

Google is testing a feature that would allow Gemini users to import chat history and memory profiles from other AI applications, according to an APK teardown discovered by Android Authority. The feature, found in Gemini version 17.11.54, is not yet publicly available and has no confirmed launch timeline.

How the Transfer Feature Works

The import tool operates in two distinct phases:

Phase 1: Memory Profile Transfer Users paste a specialized prompt into their current AI app (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, etc.). This generates a summary of information the model has learned about the user—including demographics, names, aliases, and background details. Users then copy this output and paste it into Gemini's transfer tool to quickly establish a user profile.

Phase 2: Chat History Import Users can upload previous conversation files from other apps in .zip format, with a maximum file size of 5GB. Once imported, Gemini gains access to the full conversation context, allowing users to resume their work without starting from scratch.

Important Limitations

Google frames this as similar to a game of "telephone"—the transferred information is second-hand and may contain inaccuracies or misinterpretations during the transfer process. The feature only imports what was previously disclosed to other chatbots; it does not access any proprietary data or training information from competing models.

The import is a one-time operation, not a continuous sync between applications.

Context: Multi-Model User Behavior

The feature addresses a reality of the current AI landscape: users frequently switch between different models to find the best experience for specific tasks. Building profiles from scratch with each new model creates friction. ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and other competitors already offer memory and conversation persistence features, so Gemini's import capability would reduce switching costs.

This move suggests Google recognizes that users are not exclusively loyal to a single AI platform and views import functionality as a practical way to reduce abandonment when users experiment with Gemini.

What This Means

If Google launches this feature publicly, it could lower the barrier to trying Gemini for users already invested in other AI services. However, the "second-hand information" nature of the transfer means the imported profiles may not be as accurate as profiles built directly within Gemini. The feature is currently in testing with no guarantee of public release—APK teardowns often surface features that never ship. Users should not expect this functionality immediately.