Google is expanding access to Gemini on iOS by integrating the AI assistant directly into Chrome for iPhone and iPad. Until now, users had to rely on Google’s standalone app or the web version to access Gemini, while Chrome itself provided no built-in support. With the release of Chrome 143, that limitation is starting to change, bringing iOS in line with Android and desktop, where similar features have been available for some time.
The company previewed the iPhone integration earlier in the year before testing the feature with a small group of users. Its broader rollout has begun across the US, though Google notes the update may take time to appear. Access comes with a few conditions: users must be signed into Chrome, use the browser in English, be at least 18 years old, and avoid Incognito mode, where the feature remains unavailable.
Once Gemini is enabled, Chrome’s interface shifts subtly. The Google Lens icon that sits to the left of the address bar becomes a Gemini spark logo. Tapping it reveals two options: one performs a screen-based search, and the other allows you to interact directly with the AI. Selecting Ask Gemini opens a prompt box, along with quick-action shortcuts such as summarizing the current page or generating an FAQ using information drawn from similar sites. These tools aim to offer lightweight assistance without forcing users to leave the page they’re browsing or switch apps.
Gemini’s integration also appears in Chrome’s Page tools menu. It automatically shares the page you’re viewing with the AI each time you activate it, something users can disable by selecting a Stop button. This flow mirrors the growing trend of browsers embedding AI features for contextual assistance, though it also raises questions about how much information is passed to the service by default and how transparent those controls are.
The update arrives amid heightened scrutiny around browser privacy. Apple, for its part, promotes Safari as the more privacy-focused option on its devices, positioning its built-in protections against cross-site tracking and IP-address exposure as a differentiator. The comparison underscores the broader competitive tension: AI-forward features are becoming increasingly common in mainstream browsers, while major platform owners continue emphasizing privacy as a core selling point.
As Gemini rolls out to more iPhone and iPad users, Chrome becomes another example of how large companies are weaving AI tools directly into daily browsing workflows, aiming for convenience while navigating ongoing debates about data handling and user control.
