Google Gemini on iPhone Gets Lockscreen Widgets for Faster AI Access

Date: March 04, 2025

Google’s Gemini app for iPhone now features lock screen widgets, enabling instant AI access for voice, text, and visual queries.

Apple users now have a new way to interact with Google Gemini—right from their iPhone lock screen. With the latest update, Google has introduced six new lock screen widgets, making it easier than ever to access its AI assistant without unlocking the phone.

What’s New?

These widgets let users:

• Type Prompt: Allows users to quickly input questions or prompts.
• Talk Live: Facilitates real-time voice interactions with Gemini.
• Open Mic: Enables hands-free voice input for setting reminders or creating calendar events.
• Use Camera: Lets users capture photos and inquire about them directly within the app.
• Share Image: Provides the option to select an existing image to obtain information or initiate a chat.
• Share File: Allows sharing of files to gather information or inspiration related to a query.

The shortcuts aren’t just limited to the lock screen. Users can assign them to corner buttons or add them to the Control Center, ensuring Gemini is just a tap away, no matter where you are on your device.

Why This Matters

This move is a strategic one. While Apple’s Siri has seen slow progress, Google is stepping in to offer more advanced AI capabilities to iPhone and iPad users. With Gemini now easily accessible, some users may find themselves relying on it over Siri—a significant shift in the AI assistant landscape.

Google is clearly pushing to make Gemini more mainstream, especially ahead of Apple’s rumored AI improvements. The update is now live on the App Store, giving iOS users a fresh alternative for AI-driven assistance.

With AI integration becoming a key battleground, could Google’s Gemini become the preferred AI assistant—even on iPhones? That remains to be seen. But one thing’s certain: AI-powered convenience just got a big boost.