How to chat with Gemini from your iPhone’s lock screen

Android smartphones have benefitted from Google’s Gemini for a while now, but it seems as though the brand is extending the advantages to its iOS user base as well. From making the app available to deploying timely updates, iPhone users are only a few steps behind from enjoying a full Gemini experience on their devices.

Only recently, Google announced a new update which will allow iOS users to chat with Gemini right from their iPhone home screen. Wondering when this update will reach you and how it will work? Here’s everything you need to know:

Gemini app on iOS: What's new?

The new feature, which was first identified by 9to5Google will allow users to chat with Gemini directly from their lock screens. This also means you will be able to speak with Gemini Live without unlocking your iPhone.

ALSO READ: Google’s Gemini 2.0 is now available to everyone

Moreover, the update brings in six new lock screen widgets. These include options for talking live, typing prompts, using the mic for reminders and calendar events. It will also allow users to choose the device’s native camera app to take photos and ask questions. If that’s not all, they will also be able to share images as well as files.

According to the brand, these features will eventually allow iPhone users to leverage Gemini’s AI capabilities on the go.

A step-by-step guide to accessing Gemini from your iPhone home screen

If you’re an iOS user, these are a few steps you might have to follow to access Gemini from your home screen. However, before you try them out, make sure your device and the Gemini app are updated to the latest version.

Step 1: Long-press your home screen to customise it

Step 2: Choose ‘Lock Screen’ and add the Gemini widget

Step 3: Then, choose among other widgets, including typing prompts, talking live, opening the mic, using the camera, sharing images and files

Step 4: Once the widgets are successfully added, you will be able to interact with Gemini seamlessly from the lock screen

Step 5: To begin talking, tap on the ‘Talk Live’ widget and start a conversation without unlocking your screen

While Apple is currently delaying its AI-enabled Siri, Google seems to have swooped in with a number of iOS-friendly updates. The lock screen widgets are certainly a reminder of the endless possibilities with LLMs (large language models) in the long run.