Google has begun rolling out a small but telling change to its Gemini mobile apps that reflects a broader tension in AI product design: depth versus speed. The new “Answer now” option allows users to bypass Gemini’s more deliberate reasoning process in favor of a quicker response, trading thoroughness for immediacy with a single tap.
The feature is appearing in the Gemini apps on Android and iOS when users are operating in Pro or Thinking modes, which are typically designed for more complex prompts. When Gemini is generating a response and the familiar circular indicator is spinning, users may now see an “Answer now” prompt on Android. Tapping it instructs Gemini to skip what the app describes as “in-depth thinking,” delivering a faster, more lightweight reply. A brief confirmation appears before the response arrives, making it clear that the model has shortened its reasoning process. Users can also verify which mode was used by opening the overflow menu at the end of the answer.
On iOS, the behavior is effectively the same but labeled differently. Instead of “Answer now,” the app uses a “Skip” button, which triggers the same “Skipping in-depth thinking” message. Functionally, the two prompts do the same thing, suggesting the difference is more about platform conventions than capability. According to Google, the new wording on Android replaces the older “Skip” button, while iOS has retained the original label for now.
The feature has been spotted on recent beta software, including devices such as the Pixel 6 Pro running Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 and the iPhone 15 Pro Max on iOS 26.3 Beta 2, indicating that the rollout is active but not yet universal. Users who want access to the option need to be in Pro or Thinking mode, which can be selected from the lozenge icon to the left of the microphone in the Gemini interface. Fast mode, as the name suggests, already prioritizes speed and does not surface the new prompt.
What Google is effectively offering is a manual override. Rather than forcing users to switch modes for simpler questions, Gemini now lets them decide in the moment whether a prompt deserves deeper reasoning or a rapid answer. This aligns with how many people actually use AI assistants: complex queries are mixed with quick, low-stakes questions where latency matters more than nuance.
At a time when large language models are increasingly marketed on their reasoning abilities, the addition of “Answer now” suggests Google recognizes that faster responses still have clear value. The feature does not replace Gemini’s more advanced modes, but it gives users a way to bypass them when speed feels more important than exhaustive analysis.
