Google launches native Gemini AI app for macOS

SAN FRANCISCO: Google has launched a native Gemini app for Mac, bringing its AI assistant to the desktop for the first time. The app is available globally for all Gemini users running macOS 15 or later. It is free to download at gemini.google/mac.

The launch closes a gap that has existed since OpenAI and Anthropic introduced their own Mac apps. Until now, Gemini users on Mac had to access the assistant through a browser tab. The native app changes that with a keyboard shortcut, Option + Space, that brings up a Gemini overlay from anywhere on the system without switching windows or tabs.

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The app was built entirely in Swift. Google says a small team shipped over 100 features in under 100 days. Sundar Pichai announced the launch personally on X, describing it as the first time Google has brought the Gemini app to desktop.

Screen sharing is the standout feature. Users can share any active window or local file directly with Gemini and ask questions based on what is on screen. A complex chart can be shared with the question, “What are the three biggest takeaways here?”, and Gemini responds with a contextual summary without requiring the user to copy or paste anything.

The app also supports image generation through Nano Banana and video generation through Veo. Access to Drive, Photos, and NotebookLM is built in. Two keyboard shortcuts cover different use cases, Option + Space for the compact mini chat and Option + Shift + Space for the full app. Both are customisable in settings.

Subscription tiers unlock higher usage. Google AI Plus costs $7.99 per month, AI Pro is $19.99 per month, and AI Ultra is $249.99 per month. The free tier remains available with usage limits.

Google described today’s release as a first step. The company is building toward what it called a “truly personal, proactive and powerful desktop assistant”, with more features expected in the coming months. The launch also arrives ahead of deeper Gemini integration into Apple’s next-generation Siri, which is expected to be announced at WWDC 2026 in June.