Google Gemini Independent App Launches on the App Store with AI Voice Chat

Since its introduction, Gemini has been integrated within Google’s suite of apps on iOS. However, this is set to change. Today, an iPhone user discovered a standalone application named “Google Gemini” in the App Store, which includes support for the Gemini Live feature.

The launch of this independent app allows users to have a dedicated Gemini icon on their home screen, accompanied by the tagline “Unlock the power of Google AI on your iPhone”. Previously, accessing Gemini required opening the Google app and navigating to the “Gemini” tab. Additionally, in September, the Google app's home screen widget was updated to include customizable shortcuts, enabling one-tap access to Gemini.

Furthermore, the “Google Gemini” app listing indicates that users can access Gemini Live functionality, which is not yet available within the Google app. A user who has downloaded the app showcased its voice interaction capabilities, highlighting that Gemini remains active through the “Realtime Activities” feature while the device is in use.

To date, only a user from the Philippines has reported the ability to download this application. In the United States, the App Store displays a message stating “This app is not available in your country or region”, suggesting that Google may be conducting trials in select countries with plans for a broader rollout upon completion.

In terms of functionality, Gemini accessed through the Google app on iPhone operates similarly to the gemini.google.com website. However, Google has yet to update the user interface to align with the Android platform’s experience. The introduction of the standalone app is hoped to encourage Google to deliver more rapid updates to enhance user experience.

Google Assistant is also available as a standalone app on Apple platforms, which may serve as a model for the standalone Gemini app. Looking ahead, as testing progresses and technology advances, it is expected that the Gemini standalone app will be launched in additional countries and regions, providing more users with convenient and intelligent experiences.