Your Android phone may soon get a Gemini button on the lock screen
Google is reportedly working on a new button on the Android lock screen that may activate a Gemini feature. According to a report, the button appears similar to the Gemini icon, but could also relate to artificial intelligence (AI) in general. The new feature was spotted in the latest Android 15 beta but is currently not accessible to testers. The button could reportedly activate the Gemini virtual assistant and provide a newer way to activate the AI-powered chatbot.
A new Gemini button has reportedly been spotted on the Android lock screen
According to an Android authority reportthe button was spotted in the Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 update. It was found as a flag and is not an implemented feature that beta testers can see. Activating the flag, however, enables a lock screen button with a single sparkle icon, which the Mountain View-based company uses exclusively with Gemini.
Gemini button on the Android lock screen
Photo credit: Mishaal Rahman/Android Authority
Based on the screenshot shared by the publication, the button is placed at the bottom of the lock screen, just below the fingerprint sensor. It’s a pill-shaped button and is larger than the fingerprint scanning area and quick action buttons on the two bottom corners. The button reportedly did nothing during testing by the publication, but is expected to be activated in future updates.
According to the report, the button can activate the Gemini virtual assistant. While that’s a possibility, users can already summon the assistant in three different ways, including using the power button, long-pressing the home button, or swiping up from the corner, as well as the verbal “OK Google” or “Hey Google’ command. Adding another way to access the same functionality may not be necessary.
Instead, the button may activate a new AI feature powered by Gemini. The timing of the feature highlights that it is unlikely to be part of the Android 15 update. Meanwhile, Android 16 is not expected to be unveiled until mid-2025, when the use case of this button could be revealed. As such, it could activate an entirely new functionality, similar to the Camera Control button from the iPhone 16 series.
It should be noted that the feature could not be verified by Gadgets 360 staff and was not confirmed by Google in any way. Therefore, the information about the Gemini AI button should be taken with a grain of salt. If the company is indeed planning such a feature, it should be revealed at next year’s I/O event.
