Google’s New Update: Gemini Assistant Now Accessible Without Unlocking Your Phone

Google has recently rolled out an update for its AI assistant, Gemini, which allows Android users to access Gemini extensions and other AI features without unlocking their phones.

Previously, users needed to unlock their devices to use Gemini. However, with this new update, users can now activate the assistant simply by saying “Hey Google,” or by enabling it through the device settings, without needing to unlock the phone first.

This update is a significant convenience for users as it enables quick access to certain functions, but there are still limitations. For tasks involving personal information from apps like emails or calendars, users will still need to unlock their phones to access this data through Gemini.

Reports about this feature began circulating in December 2024, when 9to5Google highlighted that soon users would be able to make calls or send text messages using Gemini without unlocking their phones. The purpose of this update is to make daily tasks easier with Gemini, without the extra step of unlocking the device.

Currently, the feature has been introduced to a limited number of users but is being enhanced through Gemini Extensions. Google aims to make Android devices a hub for Gemini features, distinguishing it from other AI assistants available in the market.