Google adds Import Memory and Chat History tools to Gemini to reduce AI switching friction

Google is rolling out two new features in Gemini designed to reduce friction for users switching from competing AI chatbots: "Import Memory" and "Import Chat History."

The "Import Memory" tool works through a prompt-based workflow. Users copy a pre-written prompt from Gemini, paste it into their current AI chatbot, then copy that AI's output back into Gemini. This transfers the AI's accumulated knowledge about the user's preferences into Gemini without manual re-entry.

The "Import Chat History" feature takes a different approach. Users request an export of their entire chat history from their previous AI (typically as a .zip file), upload it to Gemini, and can resume conversations where they left off with the original chatbot.

Google is also renaming the "past chats" feature in Gemini to "memory," aligning terminology with how users conceptualize stored information across AI platforms.

Both features are rolling out to free and paid Gemini consumer accounts starting Thursday, though availability may vary by platform. The features are not currently available for business accounts, enterprise accounts, or users under 18.

This move directly mirrors Anthropic's recent strategy. In early March 2025, Anthropic released its own memory-import tool for Claude using a similar copy-paste workflow, indicating a broader industry trend toward reducing switching costs.

Google simultaneously expanded its "Search Live AI" feature and released Gemini 3.1 Flash Live, a new voice model that the company claims offers faster responses and more natural conversation.

What this means: User switching costs between AI platforms are dropping. By making it trivial to transfer conversation history and learned preferences, Google and Anthropic are actively competing for users who might otherwise stay with their current AI due to retraining friction. This is a direct competitive play—Google and Anthropic both recognize that users invested in another AI's memory are locked in, and they're now providing escape routes. The trend suggests mature competition is moving beyond raw capability differences toward user experience and data portability.