Chrome for Android’s New Design Gives Gemini a Dedicated Spot

Google’s web browser is reportedly testing a major redesign of its app on Android and iPhone. This Chrome update shows a new navigation bar with what could possibly be a permanent Gemini shortcut. In fact, we saw something similar last month. But this new design seems more significant in nature.

Chrome for Android update brings a new navigation bar with a dedicated Gemini button

If you can recall, Chrome for Android introduced a bottom bar for URLs and controls last year, making them easier to access on taller screens. Well, what Google is reportedly testing here feels like a more radical change. Folks at 9to5Google through the stable channel have discovered an update to Google Chrome for Android that shows a dual-bar design. The top bar houses the URL, share button, back button, and the usual overflow menu.

The bottom bar is what stands out here. It has buttons for new tabs, tab management, and a dedicated Gemini shortcut. This puts the AI assistant front and center, and makes accessing it easier. That said, the new design still supports a full bottom-bar layout, but it is now thicker to make room for the Gemini shortcut.

Rolling out at a slow pace

Google announced Gemini integration in Chrome in May. The initial design, however, only placed a Gemini button next to the tab management button. Either way, the report notes that Google is rolling out the new Chrome design, but at a slow pace. Originally, Google announced Gemini in Chrome for Android would start rolling out at the end of June. But that didn’t happen.

9to5Google also reports that only one of their devices is showing the new UI, despite other devices having the same settings and updated version. As said, a similar UI was spotted on X last month in the stable Chrome for Android release. However, there were some minor differences in that user’s case because the homepage shortcut was still active.