The free Gemini app is keeping its door open, with fewer models inside. Google says its personal-account access changes start taking effect on 9 October: users without an AI subscription will be limited to Flash-Lite, losing access to the Flash and Pro model families.
Based on 2 primary sources · See sources
Which models remain on each plan?
Google’s model-access notice sets out the choices after the change reaches an account. AI Plus retains Flash and Flash-Lite but loses Pro. AI Pro and AI Ultra retain all three families.
Gemini model choices after the change
Gemini Apps · personal Google accounts
| Plan | Flash-Lite | Flash | Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| No AI plan | Available | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| AI Plus | Available | Available | Unavailable |
| AI Pro | Available | Available | Available |
| AI Ultra | Available | Available | Available |
A start date, rather than an overnight switch
Google says the change will “start to take effect” for users without a subscription on 9 October. That wording does not establish that every free account switches at once. AI Plus subscribers should receive an email explaining when their change takes effect.
The same help page describes low, medium and high effort settings for available models. Higher effort uses more of the usage limit. Its five-hour compute-limit refresh and weekly caps appear under “Previous changes,” dated May and July; they are not a new 9 October launch.
The notice is about personal accounts
This notice concerns Gemini Apps used with a personal Google account. It is separate from Google’s new Gemini work agent, whose announcement describes early access for small and midsize firms. Similar names can hide quite different access rules.
Sources
- Personal-account model availability and effective dates
Google · Documentation
- Separate work-agent early-access announcement
Google Cloud · Announcement ·
Written with AI assistance from the sources above. Analysis and practical implications are our interpretation. Our editorial approach.
