With all users stateside able to test, the shortcut for launching AI Mode is now in the Google app’s Search bar on Android and iOS.
Instead of the voice input microphone and Lens shortcuts, the Google Search bar now features AI Mode at the right. This magnifying glass badged by the Gemini sparkle is placed inside a rotating circle with the Google colors. It’s similar but not identical to the new gradient ‘G’ icon.
Compared to the previous AI Mode pill, this animation is persistent, with the shortcut always available as you scroll down the Discover feed.
Old vs. new
As part of this change, the multi-color shortcuts carousel underneath the Search bar has been replaced. (If you’re not testing AI Mode, the old interface remains.) You still have Screenshots, but Translate, Homework, and Sound Search have been removed. Voice input and Google Lens take their place without a splash of color.
Besides providing more persistent AI Mode access, this simplifies the top portion of the Google app. Google first tested this look in April, but is now rolling out to all testers. It went live for all iOS users earlier this month, and more on Android (including on the beta) are now seeing it.
This shortcut joins the AI Mode filter when you’re already on a Search results page, while Google is still testing one for the homescreen widget that is not yet in the stable channel.
In other recent updates, the fullscreen “Ask AI Mode” interface now has a shortcut in the top-right corner to access history without having to first perform a search.
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