Google is rolling out a major update to its Chrome browser on iOS and Android that makes its AI Mode, powered by the Gemini 2.5 model, more visible and accessible to mobile users. The update introduces a new, prominent shortcut on the Chrome New Tab Page (NTP), signaling Google’s continued effort to make conversational, AI-driven search a central part of the browsing experience.
The highlight of this update is a pill-shaped AI Mode button that now appears directly beneath the main search bar on Chrome’s New Tab Page. Positioned alongside a new Incognito shortcut, this redesign pushes the familiar site carousel and Discover feed further down, giving top priority to these new features.
Previously, users had to navigate to google.com/ai or wait for an “AI Mode” chip to appear after performing a search. With this change, AI Mode is available instantly with a single tap, streamlining access and encouraging more users to try Google’s experimental AI-powered search experience.
AI Mode transforms the traditional search process into an interactive, conversational experience. Instead of just providing a list of links, it delivers comprehensive, AI-generated answers using Google’s Gemini 2.5 model, capable of advanced reasoning and multimodal understanding.
Users can ask complex questions, follow up with additional prompts, and even include text, voice, or images as input. For participants in Google’s Search Labs, AI Mode is expanding to include agentic capabilities, enabling actions like:
- Finding and booking event tickets.
- Scheduling beauty and wellness appointments.
- Making restaurant reservations directly within the search experience.
The AI Mode shortcut is currently rolling out in the U.S. as part of Chrome version 141 or newer, across both iOS and Android devices. Google has confirmed plans to expand availability to 160 more countries in the coming months, with additional language support for Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, and Portuguese.
This UI overhaul represents more than a design tweak it’s Google’s move to make AI the front door to search. By placing the Gemini-powered AI Mode front and center, Chrome users can now engage with web content in smarter, more natural ways, transforming how millions interact with information on mobile.
