Google restricts free Gemini app features starting October 9

Google is adjusting its Gemini app features for free users, according to a recent support notice. Starting on October 9, free users will only have access to the 3.5 Flash-Lite model, losing the ability to use the 3.6 Flash or 3.1 Pro models. Paid subscribers of Google AI Plus, who pay $4.99 per month, will retain access to Flash-Lite and Flash but lose access to the Pro model.

To maintain the same experience as a free account, users will now need to upgrade to a Google AI Pro subscription, costing $19.99 per month. As a bonus, existing AI Pro subscribers will gain access to the Deep Think feature, previously exclusive to higher service tiers.

This shift aligns with the typical progression of subscription-based services, where features initially available to all users eventually become restricted to paying customers. Google has faced several challenges this year, including the transition of Demis Hassabis, the long-time leader of Google DeepMind, to a new role. The company also missed the launch deadline for the Gemini 3.5 Pro model, originally planned for June.

Additionally, there have been reports of employee frustrations over the performance of Gemini 4, which is said to lag behind rival models from Anthropic and OpenAI. These behind-the-scenes tensions add context to Google's recent adjustments to its AI offerings.