Google Ditches Gemini Gems for Skills in Personal Accounts

Google is phasing out Gemini Gems in personal accounts and replacing them with skills starting November 17, 2026. Existing Gems will be automatically converted to skills on that date, although some tools and features may not work identically after the switch.

Skills are reusable instructions that can be invoked directly within Gemini chats using the '/' command. They also allow for automatic application of enabled skills when relevant and combination of multiple skills for a single task. However, users will need to be at least 18 years old to use skills, whereas Gems could be used by those aged 13 or older.

Google is also separating Google Assistant from Gemini on eligible Android devices, with the transition expected to complete in June 2027. The company has confirmed that supported files will move automatically during the conversion process, but GitHub files are not currently supported and some tools may not be available yet.