Gemini is now a native macOS app, making it faster and better integrated than ever before

Gemini is now a native macOS app, so you can use Google’s AI chatbot right from your desktop without opening a browser
The app lets you share your screen, access local files, and launch instantly with a new Option + Space shortcut
It also supports AI image generation and video creation, with additional features unlocked via Google’s AI Pro and Ultra plans

Google just released a native Gemini app for Mac, so its AI chatbot is now available right on your macOS desktop without the need to launch a browser just to use it.

The new native app means that Gemini now joins both Claude and ChatGPT, who already have macOS apps in the Mac App Store. Gemini is free to use, but while the free limits are quite generous, especially for image generation, you’ll need to subscribe to Google’s AI Pro or Ultra packages if you need more access.

What it can do – more integrated than ever before

Using Gemini as an app offers several key advantages for Mac users over using it in a browser. For starters, you can now share anything on your screen with Gemini, including local files, and get help with exactly what you’re looking at.

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For example, if you’re reviewing a complex document, you can simply split your window and ask, ‘What are the three biggest takeaways here?’ and it will give you an answer based on what is on your screen.

There’s also a new keyboard shortcut – Option + Spacebar – that you can use to instantly bring up Gemini. It’s a much faster way to access the chatbot without switching tabs or digging through open windows.

(Image credit: Google)

Nano Banana image generation included

Gemini offers strong imaging capabilities with Google’s Nano Banana image generation engine, and it can also create AI-generated videos thanks to Google’s Veo 3.1 built-in.

You can download the new Gemini app now from the Mac App Store, where it is available to all users over the age of 13, or from Google. A Google account and macOS 15 or later are required.

Google says this initial release of Gemini as an app is just the beginning, adding: “We’re building the foundation for a truly personal, proactive and powerful desktop assistant, with more news to share in the coming months.”

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