1In one sentence
Gemini is one helper you can reach through many doors: the website, the phone apps, desktop apps for Mac and Windows, the Chrome browser, and panels inside Gmail, Docs, Sheets and Slides.
2New words
- App — a program you install on your phone or computer, with its own icon.
- Side panel — a narrow column that opens on the right of Gmail, Docs or Chrome, with Gemini inside, next to what you are working on.
- Gemini Notebook — a separate Google tool (until July 2026 it was called NotebookLM) where you upload your own documents and ask questions only about them. It talks to the Gemini app, but it is its own page.
- Workspace — Google's name for Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive and Calendar together.
3Why you would want it
Each door suits a moment. On the phone you can talk out loud or point the camera at something. On the computer the desktop apps pop up with a keyboard shortcut over whatever you are doing. Inside Gmail it drafts the reply where you write it. Knowing the doors saves endless copying and pasting.
| Door | Where | Best for | Needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website | gemini.google.com | Chat, files, research, Canvas, images | Any plan |
| Phone app | Android, iPhone (App Store / Google Play) | Gemini Live voice, camera, quick questions | Any plan |
| Mac app | Newer Macs (Apple chip, macOS 15 or later), Option + Space | Quick questions over any window, dictation | Any plan; some features paid |
| Windows app | Windows 10 or later, Alt + Space | Quick questions over any window, your Gmail and Drive files, pictures | Any plan; some features paid |
| Gemini in Chrome | Side panel in Chrome (US first) | Questions about the page you are reading | Any plan; "auto browse" needs paid |
| Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides | Star icon at top right | Drafting and summarizing inside your files | Google AI Plus for Gmail; Pro or higher for Docs and Sheets; or a business plan |
| Gemini Notebook | gemininotebook.google.com (or inside the app) | Questions about your own documents | Any plan, with limits |
4Try it now
- On your phone, install the Gemini app from the App Store or Google Play and sign in with the same Google account. (On many Android phones it is already there.)
- Open the chat you started in Chapter 1.1. It is on the phone too.
- Tap the microphone and say: Give me three ideas for dinner tonight.
5What you will see
The same chat on every door, because chats are saved to your Google account. On the phone, the answer appears as text and Gemini can read it aloud.
6Watch out
- Many Gemini features arrive in the United States first, in English first, and in Europe and the United Kingdom last. If a feature from this guide is missing, that may be the only reason.
- The Gmail and Docs panels are the one door that is not free. Chapter 1.13 explains the free way around it.
7Go further
Read Chapter 1.3 to understand the plans before you decide which doors you need.