Google is testing a new way to reach Gemini from Chrome on Android. The company is adding a second toolbar with a dedicated Gemini button. This button appears in the browser’s UI, positioned for easy thumb access. It allows users to open a conversation with Google’s AI chatbot without leaving the browser.
How the change works
The updated layout adds a second bar to Chrome. By default, the browser displays a URL field, back button, share button, and menu button. Now, some users also see a new bar below with Gemini and tab controls. The Gemini icon is the main access point for the AI chatbot. The new design still supports a full bottom-bar layout, though it’s now thicker to accommodate for the Gemini shortcut.
Users can move the top navigation controls to the bottom. But this creates a taller bar, which could affect how users handle the screen. The change is part of a gradual rollout, and not all users see it yet. The update is available in stable Chrome builds, not just beta versions.
What’s next for the update
The new feature is rolling out in stages. It uses a server-side switch to control who sees it. So far, only some devices are showing the layout. The change might become more common over time, but there’s no set schedule. The rollout is still in early testing. Originally, Google said that Gemini in Chrome for Android would start rolling out at the end of June, which didn’t happen. Only one device is currently showing the new UI on our end, despite everything being updated and on the same settings. A very similar UI was spotted on Twitter/X last month, also in the stable release of Chrome for Android, though there are some slight differences in that user’s case due to the homepage shortcut still being active. We also spotted a similar design that showed up for an iPhone user earlier this year (that cannot be linked publicly).
The updated layout makes the UI more crowded. But frequent Gemini users could benefit from the faster access. The test aims to see how users interact with the new setup.