product update

Google Gemini app receives full UI redesign with pill-shaped prompt box and gradient backgrounds

TL;DR

Google is rolling out a full redesign of its Gemini app that overhauls every aspect of the user interface. The update introduces a pill-shaped prompt box, colorful gradient backgrounds, and a unified bottom sheet for file uploads and tools.

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Google Gemini App Receives Complete UI Overhaul

Google is rolling out a comprehensive redesign of its Gemini app that changes every major interface element, according to first reports from iOS users.

Core Interface Changes

The homepage now features a pill-shaped prompt box replacing the previous design. Voice input and Gemini Live controls are positioned on the right side, with a plus button that opens a bottom sheet carousel. This sheet provides access to Photos, Camera, recent images, Files, Notebooks, and "More uploads."

Below the upload options, users will find a list of tools with descriptions: Images, Videos, Music, Canvas, Deep research, and Guided learning. According to 9to5Google, Google has been testing this unified approach on Android and desktop web, and the design is already live in Gemini for Mac.

Visual Design Updates

The most striking change is a colorful, pulsating gradient background that appears throughout the interface. The greeting has been updated to "Hi [name], what's on your mind?" and is centered with the Gemini spark icon above it.

Google has relocated the model picker to the top-left corner as a dropdown menu, and implemented a new icon set featuring thin, rounded outlines. The account switcher has been moved to the bottom of the navigation drawer, marking a departure from standard first-party Google app conventions.

Chat Interface Improvements

When users enter a prompt, the gradient background effect becomes fully visible. In active chats, the "See thinking steps" feature has been moved to an overflow menu, with the thought process now appearing as a bottom sheet.

On iOS, the redesign makes extensive use of Liquid Glass design elements. Initial support for Liquid Glass was introduced earlier this week, but this update expands its implementation significantly.

Rollout Status

The redesign is currently in limited rollout, with reports coming primarily from iOS users over the past day. How the redesign will appear on Android devices remains unclear. Google has not announced an official timeline for wider availability.

What This Means

Google is consolidating Gemini's interface around a more unified design language that prioritizes visual appeal and streamlined access to multimodal capabilities. The bottom sheet approach for uploads and tools suggests Google is positioning Gemini as a comprehensive AI workspace rather than just a chatbot. The departure from standard Google design patterns, particularly with the account switcher placement, indicates the company is willing to experiment with Gemini's interface independently of its other products.

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