Google Updates Gemini Live Interface on Android

The latest Google app update allows users to attach files and photos directly during active Gemini Live sessions.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Life Sciences

Isometric editorial illustration of a floating crystalline sphere surrounded by radiating light rings, representing AI data interaction. — Google has updated its Gemini Live Android interface, allowing users to share photos, files, and screen captures in real time during voice sessions. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you prefer AI interfaces that allow direct file attachments during live voice conversations?

Google has introduced a new plus button to the Gemini Live interface for Android, enabling direct sharing of photos, files, and screen captures during active voice sessions. This update significantly streamlines the workflow by allowing users to provide context without pre-loading materials.

Why it matters

The change removes previous limitations that required users to attach files to the Gemini overlay before starting a conversation, making the experience more interactive and spontaneous. This evolution allows for real-time document and image analysis within the AI-driven conversational tool.

The update is included in Google app stable version 17.68 and introduces a new carousel menu for attachments. The feature is restricted to Android devices and remains unavailable when launching the service from the standard Gemini overlay.

The players

Google

A multinational technology company that specializes in internet-related services, including AI development and the Android operating system.

Gemini Live

A conversational artificial intelligence feature developed by Google that allows for real-time, fluid voice interactions with an AI assistant.

The details

Users now see a plus button to the left of the screen during active sessions, which opens a menu for selecting Photos, Files, or screen sharing. The camera function has been relocated to sit directly next to the waveform, prioritizing quick visual access during voice-based AI interactions.

Google released the Gemini Live redesign for Android in October 2026.

The Big Picture

The addition of file attachments to Gemini Live follows the broader integration path of the Google Gemini multimodal AI framework. This update shifts the platform from a simple voice assistant toward a more capable, context-aware digital workspace tool.

Android users gain the ability to show the AI photos or files mid-conversation, potentially reducing the time spent preparing context for complex queries. This workflow improvement makes the tool more practical for reviewing documents or getting real-time feedback on visual projects.

The takeaway

Users should explore the new plus menu to integrate photos and documents into their active AI sessions for faster analysis. This update highlights a growing trend of making AI assistants more responsive to immediate, real-world visual and file-based input.