Chat with Google Gemini directly from your iPhone's lock screen: Here’s how

TOI Tech Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Mar 4, 2025, 09:42 IST

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Google has updated its Gemini app, enabling iPhone users to access the AI chatbot from their lock screens with new widgets. The update includes talking live, typing prompts, and other interactive features, enhancing AI functionality for users on the go. Apple's AI Siri launch faces delays until 2027.

Chat with Google Gemini directly from your iPhone's lock screen: Here’s how

Google has rolled out a new update for its Gemini app, allowing iPhone users to access the AI chatbot directly from their lock screens. This new feature, first spotted by 9to5Google, enables users to interact with Gemini Live, Google's real-time voice feature, without unlocking their phones.
The update introduces six new lock screen widgets, including options for typing prompts, talking live, opening the mic for reminders and calendar events, using the camera to take photos and ask questions, sharing images, and sharing files. These widgets make it easier than ever for iPhone users to leverage Gemini's AI capabilities on the go.
This move comes as Apple faces delays in launching its own AI-enabled Siri, which is now expected to debut in 2027. In the meantime, competitors like Google are stepping in to provide iPhone users with advanced AI assistants. The new lock screen widgets offer a glimpse of what is possible with large language models (LLMs) and voice assistants, enhancing the overall user experience.
In addition to the lock screen widgets, Google announced that later in March, Gemini users on Android will be able to ask the AI chatbot questions about video and onscreen content and receive real-time answers. These features are part of Project Astra, Google DeepMind's multimodal AI project, and will initially be available to subscribers of the $20-a-month Gemini Advanced plan.

How to use the feature

To talk to Google Gemini from your iPhone's lock screen, follow these steps:

Update the Gemini app: Ensure your Google Gemini app is updated to the latest version.
Add Gemini qidgets: Long press your lock screen and select "Customize." Choose "Lock Screen" and add the Gemini widgets. You can add up to six widgets, including options for typing prompts, talking live, opening the mic, using the camera, sharing images, and sharing files.
Use Gemini Live: Once the widgets are added, you can interact with Gemini Live directly from your lock screen. Tap the "Talk Live" widget to start a conversation with Gemini without unlocking your phone.

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