Google Gemini access is changing. Free users, take note.
If you use Google Gemini without a paid Google AI plan, you're about to lose access to multiple models.
Google is adjusting access to its Gemini app features for free users. Starting October 9, anyone without a paid subscription will only have access to the 3.5 Flash-Lite model, while the 3.6 Flash and 3.1 Pro models will be disabled. Google AI Plus subscribers, priced at $4.99/month, will also lose access to the Pro model but will retain Flash-Lite and Flash.
To maintain the former free account experience, users must upgrade to a $19.99/month Google AI Pro subscription. Existing AI Pro subscribers gain an additional "Deep Think" option previously exclusive to higher tiers. This reflects Google's trend of gradually limiting features to paid users. The company has faced AI-related challenges this year, including the departure of DeepMind leader Demis Hassabis and reported tensions over Gemini 4's performance compared to rivals like Anthropic and OpenAI.
Written by urgent.news from Mashable's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
