Google Gemini · 31 October 2026
Free Gemini app drops to Flash-Lite; AI Plus loses Pro
From 9 October 2026 the free Gemini app on personal Google accounts offers only Flash-Lite, the smallest of the three models. This is a late catch: it took effect three weeks ago and no earlier note covered it.
- Free: Flash-Lite only, no default access to Flash or Pro.
- Google AI Plus ($4.99 a month, per coverage): keeps Flash-Lite and Flash, loses Pro. Google says each subscriber is emailed the date the change reaches them.
- AI Pro and Ultra: keep all three models.
Coverage says the change applies to personal accounts and does not mention work or school accounts. 9to5Google, which reported it first, calls the free model Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite; Google does not confirm a version number.
Still unclear: whether existing chats switch to Flash-Lite automatically, and UK-specific terms. Google's US plans page still listed the old free-tier access when coverage was written.
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