Google started testing a new layout in Chrome’s interface to make Gemini more accessible to Android users. The change seen by some users adds a second control bar with the Gemini icon at the bottom of the browser. Thus, there is no need to leave Chrome or navigate through different menus to use Google’s AI chat tool. By touching the Gemini icon, a new conversation can be started directly with the artificial intelligence. It is stated that the change has reached a limited number of users for now and it is not known when it will be available for general use.
According to 9to5Google, Chrome users who receive the new interface see a second toolbar at the bottom of the screen in addition to the existing control layout. In the default layout, the address bar is located at the top of the screen, while the back, share and menu buttons are also located in the same section. In the new bottom bar, there are tab-related controls next to the Gemini icon. Google thus places Gemini very close to the browser’s basic navigation controls. Especially for people who use the phone with one hand, it may be more comfortable to reach the Gemini button at the bottom of the screen with your thumb compared to the options at the top.
How does the Gemini button in the Chrome Android interface work?
Tapping the Gemini icon in the new layout directly opens Google’s AI chat interface. This feature makes Gemini more visible in Chrome, while also reducing the steps users follow to access the artificial intelligence tool. However, the Android version of Chrome already has the option to move controls from the top to the bottom of the screen. When the user activates this option, a higher and more crowded control area can appear under the screen with the new Gemini bar. Therefore, the layout, which is advantageous in terms of accessibility, may be a disadvantage in terms of usable screen space, especially on phones with smaller screens.
Another striking aspect of the change is that it is not limited to Chrome Beta. The test has also reached some people using the stable version of the browser, so it is not necessary to switch to the beta channel to see the feature. However, there is no guarantee that everyone who updates the app will see the Gemini button immediately. Available information points to Google enabling the new interface via a server-side setting. This method allows the company to gradually test the feature on specific user groups and change the scope of distribution without releasing an application update.
Google’s positioning of Gemini closer to Chrome is not limited to this button in the Android interface. The company is increasingly bringing Gemini features to the desktop version of Chrome, making AI a directly accessible tool in the web browsing experience. The new button on the Android side offers an additional shortcut to access Gemini in this respect. On the other hand, the presence of a constantly visible artificial intelligence button next to the address, tab and navigation controls in the browser interface may create unnecessary visual density for people who do not use Gemini. Therefore, the success of the layout will depend not only on how quickly Gemini is accessed, but also on how well the simple usage structure of Chrome is preserved.
There is currently no clear scope shared on which Android devices or user accounts the new Chrome layout is available. Google did not announce a specific date for general distribution. Although it is possible for the Gemini button to appear on more people in the coming period due to the use of server-side distribution, it remains unclear for now how long this will take. While the shortcut in the bottom bar offers a practical access point for those who use Gemini frequently, the dual toolbar may not be ideal for those who prefer to use screen space more efficiently. The current test therefore highlights the balance between speeding up Gemini access and keeping Chrome’s mobile interface as simple as possible.
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