Gemini Android Side Panel Redesign Guide
Step-by-step guide to the new Gemini Android side panel and single Settings page. Find search, Library, themes, and more after the server-side update.
Google rolled out a server-side update for the Gemini app on Android in late October 2026. The change reorganizes the side panel and consolidates settings into one page. It brings Android in line with the layout that arrived earlier on iOS, macOS, and the web with Gemini 4 Argon.
If your menus look different after you open the app, this guide shows where everything moved.
What Changed in the Side Panel
The side panel (the drawer that opens from the left) now prioritizes common actions. Search sits in the top-right corner next to the close button. New chat remains the first item in the list. Library moved up to sit directly under New chat instead of near the bottom.
The panel shows only five items by default. A More button expands the rest. This keeps the drawer tidy while still giving quick access to recent chats.
On AI Ultra plans the expanded list includes New chat, Library, Images, Scheduled, Daily brief, Customize, Students, Videos, and Gems. Exact items can vary by plan and country. Daily brief, for example, is not yet available in Japan.
How to Open and Use the New Side Panel
- Open the Gemini app on your Android phone.
- Tap the menu icon in the top-left corner.
- Use the search icon in the top-right of the drawer to find past chats.
- Tap New chat to start a fresh conversation.
- Tap Library for your saved content.
- Tap More to expand the full list of tools and recent chats.
The update arrives through Google’s servers. You do not need to download a new version from the Play Store. If you do not see the new layout, force-close the Gemini app from recent apps and reopen it. The change often appears on the next launch.
Consolidated Settings Page
Preferences that used to split between the account menu and a separate Gemini Settings page now live on one screen. The account menu only handles account switching, Feedback, and Help.
Open Settings by tapping your profile avatar or the gear icon. The page starts with Manage account and Usage limits. Under Preferences you will find:
- Notifications
- Personal Intelligence
- Avatar
- Task settings
- Theme (new)
- Skills
- Voice
- Media
- Device controls
- Cart and orders
- Gemini Notebook
Two more sections appear below Preferences:
- Data & privacy covers Import memory, Contact info from your devices, Gemini Apps Activity, Your public links, and the Privacy Help Hub.
- Get support includes Help, Report a problem, About, and Updates.
Task settings replaced the old Gemini Spark Settings after Google renamed Spark to Task.
Quick Reference: Where Items Moved
| What you need | New location |
|---|---|
| Search chats | Top-right corner of the side panel |
| Library | Directly under New chat in the side panel |
| Account preferences | Settings > Preferences |
| Task settings (formerly Spark) | Settings > Preferences > Task settings |
| Switch accounts | Account menu via profile avatar |
| Feedback and Help | Account menu |
| Gems and Customize | More in the side panel (AI Ultra) and Skills |
| Privacy controls | Settings > Data & privacy |
Tips for Daily Use
Pin important chats if the option is available so they stay near the top of the recent list. Use the new Theme option under Preferences to match the rest of your phone’s light or dark mode.
If you rely on Personal Intelligence, check that it is enabled under Preferences. The same section also holds Voice and Media settings for Gemini Live.
Developers building with Gemini can still follow the same patterns described in our guide to adding Gemini 4 Argon with Firebase AI Logic.
Troubleshooting the Rollout
The redesign is server-side, so availability is gradual. Some users see it immediately while others wait a few days. Restarting the app or your phone usually surfaces the change. If the old layout persists after several days, check that you are signed into a personal Google account and that the Gemini app is updated in the Play Store.
Regional differences exist. Certain menu items such as Daily brief or specific Gems may not appear in every country yet.
Conclusion
The October 2026 Gemini Android update simplifies navigation. Search is easier to reach, Library sits higher, and every preference lives on one Settings page. The layout matches the experience already available on other platforms.
Open the side panel, tap More if you need the full list, and explore the new Theme and Task settings. The changes take effect without a manual download.
Sources
- 9to5Google, “Gemini for Android rolls out side panel and settings redesign,” 23 October 2026.
- Android Headlines, “Gemini Android App Gets Sleek New Redesign,” 26 October 2026.
- Chrome Geek, “Gemini for Android Gets a New Side Panel and Settings,” 24 October 2026.
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