I think Google is shooting itself in the foot with this one. On iOS, it used to be the case that you could access Gemini from the Google app, but alas, that is no more.
Here was Google promoting Gemini in the Google app:
The Google app has millions of downloads already, and tacking Gemini onto it meant those users got access to it without having to download anything else.
This is the kind of advantage Meta has with Meta AI because the company already has apps that have billions of downloads. Instead of forcing users to download a new Meta AI app, they simply added Meta AI to their apps, gaining potentially billions of users in one fell swoop.
The polls we ran showed that the Techzim community predominantly uses Meta AI out of all the chatbots because of easier access.
Google had a similar advantage with the Google app and Gemini, but they didn’t see it that way. I got an email with the heading, “Gemini is no longer available in the Google app.”
They go on to say, “We’re making some changes to create an even better Gemini experience on iOS. Gemini is now available as its own app, and that’s now the best place to use Gemini. To continue using Gemini, download the new Gemini app from the App Store.”
This move forces iOS users to take an extra step—one that many won’t bother with. The friction of having to download yet another app means fewer people will try Gemini, giving competitors like Meta AI an advantage.
That’s especially so in countries like Zimbabwe where people don’t really do all that app downloading stuff.
Accessibilty vs Adoption
This decision seems counterintuitive, considering how Google pushed for Gemini’s adoption by integrating it into existing services. Now, they’re fragmenting the entire thing, making it harder, not easier, for users to access their AI.
We’ve seen time and again how accessibility drives adoption. Meta understands this, integrating its AI into WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram.
Microsoft does the same with Copilot in Windows. X does this with Grok. But Google? Instead of leveraging its massive install base with the Google app, it’s creating unnecessary barriers.
The long-term effects remain to be seen, but for now, Google has made it harder for iOS users to access its AI—something its competitors must be celebrating.
Different experience on Android
On Android, however, Google is taking a different approach by integrating Gemini directly into the operating system.
That should vastly remove any barriers for potential users. That’s not possible on iOS where Apple is not about to let Google integrate Gemini into iOS.
By embedding Gemini into Android, Google can leverage its already massive user base, offering a more seamless and integrated AI experience.
Android users will find it easier to access Gemini without additional downloads or barriers, especially since many users already have Google services tightly integrated into their devices.
iOS users will have to download a different app, in addition to the Google app. That doesn’t make any sense to me but what do I know.
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