Gemini replaces Google Assistant in Google Maps

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Google is integrating Gemini AI into Maps, starting with Android users in the US. The move replaces Google Assistant for navigation-related tasks, offering a more conversational, visually rich experience. With Gemini, users can type or talk to ask questions about routes, restaurants, attractions, or transport delays — contextually tied to what’s on their screen.

Unlike Assistant, Gemini is built for multimodal responses — combining images, summaries, and links, not just voice replies. Users can interact through a dedicated Gemini button in the Google Maps app, which pulls context from the screen. For instance, if you’re viewing a location, Gemini can explain what it is, suggest things to do nearby, or find directions — without switching apps.

This rollout is part of Google’s broader effort to unify its AI experience under the Gemini branding, across search, Android, and now Maps. The company aims to retire the legacy Google Assistant over time, using Gemini as the backbone of a smarter, more visual AI interface across products.

The new Gemini-in-Maps feature is available to both free and paid Gemini users, with Gemini Advanced (based on Gemini 1.5 Pro) offering deeper functionality. It’s currently live in the US for English users but expected to expand globally in the coming months.