How to Use the New Gemini Live Plus Button on Android

Google is rolling out a small but useful redesign to Gemini Live on Android. The new plus button lets you add photos, files, and Google Drive items while you are already in a Live conversation. You no longer need to prepare everything in the overlay first.

This update appears with Google app stable version 17.68 on Android. It is not yet available when you start Live from the overlay, and it has not reached iOS. If you do not see the plus button yet, update the Google app and check again later. Rollouts are gradual.

What changed in Gemini Live

When you start Gemini Live inside the Gemini app, a plus button now sits on the left of the controls. Tap it and a carousel appears with four options: Share screen, Photos, Files, and Drive.

Previously you added items in the Gemini overlay and then switched to Live. The camera button has moved next to the waveform. Screen sharing now takes one extra tap through the plus menu. The microphone mute switch and close button stay on the right, unchanged.

How to start a Gemini Live session

You need the Gemini mobile app on an Android phone or tablet, signed in with a personal Google account or a work or school account that has Gemini Apps access. Gemini Live is not available in the web app or in Google Messages.

1. Open the Gemini app.
2. Tap the Live button at the bottom or swipe left.
3. Follow any first-time prompts to choose a voice and grant microphone permission.
4. Start speaking. Gemini listens until you pause, then replies out loud. You can interrupt at any time.

On Android you can also say “Hey Google, let’s talk Live” if Gemini is set as your assistant. For full camera and screen share details, see our earlier guide on Gemini Live camera and screen share.

Use the plus button to add context

Once Live is active inside the app, look for the plus button on the left.

Tap it. The carousel shows:

• Share screen
• Photos
• Files
• Drive

Select Photos to pick images from your gallery. Select Files to choose documents from your device. Select Drive to pull items from Google Drive. Share screen starts the screen-sharing flow (you may need to confirm notifications for Gemini Live).

After you add an item, continue talking. Gemini can see the photo, file, or screen content and respond based on it. The camera button remains available next to the waveform for live camera views.

Step-by-step: add a photo during Live

1. Start Gemini Live inside the Gemini app (not from the overlay).
2. Tap the plus button on the left.
3. Choose Photos.
4. Select one or more images from your gallery.
5. Speak your question. For example, “What plant is this?” or “Summarize the text in this document.”

The same flow works for Files and Drive. Screen sharing requires the Gemini Live notification to be enabled on your device.

Tips for better results

• Update the Google app to version 17.68 or later.
• Start Live from inside the Gemini app so the plus button appears.
• Keep your screen unlocked while sharing camera or screen content; locking often stops the share.
• Grant the necessary permissions for microphone, camera, and storage the first time you use each option.
• If the plus button is missing, force-stop the Google app and reopen it, or wait for the gradual rollout.

Conclusion

The Gemini Live plus redesign removes a previous friction point. You can now drop photos, files, or Drive items into an ongoing voice conversation without switching modes first. Combined with the existing camera and screen share tools, it makes Live more practical for real tasks on Android.

Check for the update in the Google app, start a Live session inside the app, and try the plus button on your next conversation.

Sources

• Gemini Live redesign makes it easier to add context to chats — 9to5Google, 26 October 2026
• Talk naturally with Gemini Live (Android) — Gemini Apps Help
• Gemini Live overview — Google
• Get answers to whatever, whenever with Gemini Live — Google Gemini