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Google Gemini access is changing. Free users, take note.

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Google Gemini access is changing. Free users, take note.

The company announced the change to its AI software suite in a support notice, spotted by 9to5google. Starting on Oct. 9, anyone using the Gemini app without a paid subscription will be limited to just the 3.5 Flash-Lite model, with access to the 3.6 Flash or 3.1 Pro models turned off. Additionally, those who pay $4.99/month for Google AI Plus will lose access to the Pro model, as well, but retain access to Flash-Lite and Flash.

That means if you want to maintain the same experience you've been having with a free account up until now, you'll have to pay at least $19.99/mo for a Google AI Pro subscription. Those who already pay for AI Pro, as a nice little bonus, will get access to the "Deep Think" option that was previously exclusive to even higher tiers of the service.

This is not terribly surprising given how subscription-based services usually work on a long enough timeline. Features that were available to all users gradually become available to only some.

Google has faced some AI challenges this year. Long-time Google DeepMind leader Demis Hassabis has transitioned into a new role, and it's unclear if the move was a promotion or a demotion. The company has also repeatedly failed to deliver on the promised Gemini 3.5 Pro model, originally set to be launched in June.

Bloomberg also reported recently on employee frustrations that Gemini 4 lags far behind rival models from Anthropic and OpenAI, the latest in a series of rumors about behind-the-scenes tensions in Google-land.


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