Gemini Android Update: Five-Chat Limit and Unified Settings
A server-side change moves search to the top corner and consolidates all preferences into a single menu page.
By Tyler Khalil ·
Android users accessing Google’s Gemini app face a new layout that limits immediate access to recent conversations. The company is pushing a redesign through a server-side update, meaning the changes appear on devices without requiring a new download from the Play Store. This follows a recent shift from Spark to Task features and arrives after similar changes reached iOS, macOS, and web users last week.
The navigation drawer now displays only five items by default. A 'More' button expands the list to show the rest of the options. The search function has moved to the top-right corner of the screen. 'New chat' remains the first entry in the list. 'Library' now sits directly below it, rather than appearing near the bottom of the drawer as it did in previous versions. For subscribers to the AI Ultra plan, the full list includes New chat, Library, Images, Scheduled, Daily brief, Customize, Students, Videos, and Gems.
Google has also merged the app’s settings into one location. Previously, user preferences were split between the account menu and a separate 'Gemini Settings' area. The new structure places all controls on a single page. The account menu now handles only account switching, feedback submission, and help requests.
The consolidated settings page begins with 'Manage account' and 'Usage limits.' A 'Preferences' section follows. This section contains Notifications, Personal Intelligence, Avatar, Task settings, Theme, Skills, Voice, Media, Device controls, Cart and orders, and Gemini Notebook. The Theme option is the only entry marked as new in this update.
Two additional sections complete the settings page. 'Data & privacy' includes Import memory, Contact info from your devices, Gemini Apps Activity, Your public links, and the Privacy Help Hub. The 'Get support' section lists Help, Report a problem, About, and Updates.
This update arrives alongside other recent changes to the Gemini platform. Gemini Notebook is now available as a Connected App for deeper integration. Free users are moving to 'Auto' models as the app adds thinking levels. A new 'Map' tool has also launched, replacing the previous '/' shortcut with an '@' symbol.
