Google Is Replacing Gemini Gems With Skills Nov 17 — What Changes Before the Switch

Google is set to replace personal-account Gemini Gems with skills starting November 17, 2026. This change impacts age eligibility, Keep Activity settings, files, sharing, and supported tools. On the designated date, Google will automatically convert existing Gems into skills for personal Google accounts. Skills are designed to preserve the concept of reusable instructions but function differently across Gemini chats.

They can be invoked using a slash ("/") and automatically applied by Gemini in relevant contexts. Multiple skills can be combined for a single task. However, some features like Canvas, Deep Research, Guided Learning, Create video, and Create music are currently not supported by skills. Additionally, Google Assistant will be replaced with Gemini on eligible Android devices.

Supported Gem knowledge files will migrate automatically, but GitHub files are not currently compatible. Skills sharing, Google Drive files, and Gemini Notebook support are expected in the coming weeks. While skills themselves do not necessitate a paid Google AI subscription, the replacement process is not identical. Users with accounts aged between 13 and 17 in their respective countries face an age-related challenge, as skills require users to be at least 18.

Keep Activity must be enabled for skills, as they require this setting to function. Google emphasizes that users who disabled Keep Activity should consider the implications before utilizing skills. Separate efforts are underway to develop persistent AI memory for storing context securely, though the availability of this feature is yet to be announced.

Users with workflows heavily reliant on uploaded files, default tools, or shared Gems should thoroughly review these aspects prior to the migration. Google has confirmed that supported files will move, and skill sharing is being implemented, but existing Gem sharing links might not function unchanged post-migration. It is crucial for users to test their workflows and ensure seamless adaptation to the new Gemini skills system.