How to Add Photos and Files in Gemini Live on Android

Google rolled out a small interface update to Gemini Live on Android around 26 October 2026. A new plus button appears when you start Live from inside the Gemini app. Tapping it opens a carousel for Share screen, Photos, Files, and Drive. This removes the old requirement of attaching items to the overlay first, then switching to Live.

The change ships with Google app version 17.68 on Android. It is not yet available on iOS or when you launch Live from the system overlay. The camera control now sits next to the audio waveform. Screen sharing takes one extra tap. Microphone mute and the close button stay in their previous positions.

This guide walks through the new flow on Android. It uses only details confirmed by Google’s product coverage and help documentation.

What you need

You need an Android phone or tablet with the Gemini app installed and updated. Gemini Live works with a personal Google account or a supported work/school account. Update the Google app through the Play Store if the plus button does not appear.

Gemini Live remains unavailable in the web app and in Google Messages. The plus menu is currently limited to sessions started inside the full Gemini app.

Start Gemini Live from the app

Open the Gemini app. Tap the Live control at the bottom of the screen (it looks like a waveform with a sparkle). Follow any first-time prompts for microphone access.

Once Live is active, look for the new plus button on the left side of the interface. The waveform sits in the center area. The camera button is now adjacent to it. Mute and close remain on the right.

If you launched Live from the overlay (long-press power or “Hey Google”), the plus menu is not present. End the session and reopen Live from inside the Gemini app to access it.

Add a photo during a Live session

Tap the plus button. A carousel appears with Share screen, Photos, Files, and Drive.

Select Photos. Choose an image from your gallery or take a new photo with the camera. The image attaches to the current Live conversation. You can then speak about it immediately: “What is wrong with this plant?” or “Summarize the text in this receipt.”

Previously you had to attach the photo first in the regular Gemini overlay, then switch to Live. The new path keeps you in the voice session.

The camera control next to the waveform still lets you stream live video if you prefer continuous visual input instead of a still photo.

Attach a file or Drive document

From the same plus carousel, choose Files or Drive.

Files opens your device storage. Select a PDF, text document, or other supported file. Drive shows your Google Drive contents (you must be signed into the same Google account).

Once attached, continue the voice conversation. Ask Gemini to extract key points from a contract, explain a diagram in a PDF, or compare two uploaded spreadsheets. Gemini processes the file in the context of the ongoing Live chat.

Screen sharing is also available from the carousel. It now requires the extra tap through the plus menu, whereas it was more direct in earlier builds. After sharing starts, you can ask questions about whatever is on your screen.

Controls that did not change

The microphone mute switch and the close/end button remain on the right. You can still interrupt Gemini mid-response by speaking. Hold or end the session with the familiar controls or by saying “stop.”

Transcripts continue to appear after the session ends. You can reopen past Live chats from the app’s history.

Tips for smoother use

Update the Google app to version 17.68 or later before testing. Force-stop the app and reopen it if the plus button is missing after an update.

Start Live from inside the Gemini app rather than the overlay if you need to attach photos or files. Overlay sessions do not show the new menu yet.

Keep the screen unlocked while using camera or screen share. These features pause or stop when the display locks.

For longer documents, upload the file first, then ask focused follow-up questions. Gemini handles multi-turn context within the same Live session.

If you rely on Personal Intelligence, connected apps such as Gmail or Photos can still supply background context, but the plus menu is specifically for items you attach during the call.

Limitations to know

The plus menu is Android-only at the moment of the October 2026 rollout. iOS users still follow the previous attachment flow.

It does not appear when Live is started from the system overlay. Plan to open the full Gemini app first for file or photo tasks.

Screen sharing now has one additional step. Camera streaming remains available via the dedicated button next to the waveform.

Availability can vary by device, region, and account type. Google notes that Live updates roll out gradually.

Related Gemini features on Android

The same Google app version also brought a redesigned side panel and consolidated Settings page to the main Gemini app. Search moved to the top-right of the drawer, Library sits higher, and recent chats expand via a “More” control. Those changes are separate from the Live plus menu.

For broader task automation and widgets, see the Gemini Intelligence overview.

Conclusion

The plus button in Gemini Live removes an extra step for attaching photos, files, and Drive items during a voice session on Android. Start Live from inside the Gemini app, tap plus, select the source, and continue speaking. Screen sharing takes one more tap, while camera and mute controls stay familiar.

Check Google app version 17.68 or later. If the menu is missing, update the app or restart Live from the full app rather than the overlay. The change keeps you in the conversation while giving Gemini the visual or document context it needs.

Sources: 9to5Google (26 October 2026 report on the plus redesign), Google Gemini Apps Help documentation on Live features, official Google YouTube demo of camera and screen sharing in Gemini Live.