- How to get the new AI features from Google I/O 2026 on your phone, be it a Pixel, a Galaxy, or a popular budget model in India.
- Real ways to use the smarter Gemini for daily stuff, from planning your week to sparking creative ideas.
- How to tweak your settings for the best AI performance and what it actually means for your privacy.
Your phone is getting a brain transplant. At Google I/O 2026, the company made it clear: AI isn't just another app, it's becoming the operating system. But all that developer talk doesn't mean much if you can't use it. So here's how to actually turn those promises into features on your Xiaomi, Samsung, or OnePlus device, and make your phone feel less like a tool and more like a partner.
What You'll Need
- A compatible Android device: The newest AI stuff will hit Google Pixel and recent Samsung Galaxy phones first. For other brands like OnePlus, Vivo, Realme, and Xiaomi, expect to wait for a big OS update.
- Updated software: Make sure your phone has the latest Android and manufacturer skin (like One UI 8 or HyperOS). Check under Settings > System > System update.
- A Google Account: You need this for Gemini and any personalized AI help.
- Stable internet connection: A lot of the heavy AI lifting still happens in the cloud.
- Time estimate: Give yourself 15 to 30 minutes to poke around and set things up.
Just a heads up: Some of these features are still in early access or beta. What you get depends entirely on your device, where you live, and what language you use.
Finding and Turning On the New Gemini Stuff
Gemini is shedding its chatbot skin and burrowing into your phone's OS. Here's where to dig it up.
If You Have a Google Pixel or Stock Android Phone
- Get Gemini Through the Assistant
Long-press your home or power button, or just say "Hey Google." Your Assistant is now running on Gemini. - Open the Dedicated Gemini App
Find the Gemini app icon (it looks like a colorful starburst) on your home screen or in your app drawer and tap it. - Try Gemini Advanced (If You Can)
Inside the Gemini app, tap your profile picture. Look for Gemini Advanced and follow the prompts. There's probably a free trial for the more powerful model.
If You Have a Samsung Galaxy Phone (One UI)
- Look for Gemini in Samsung's Apps
As our sources note, Gemini is starting to pop up in Samsung's own apps. Keep an eye out for a sparkle icon or a Gemini button in places like Samsung Notes or Gallery for AI summaries or edits. - Make Gemini Your Default Assistant
Head to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Digital assistant app. Pick Gemini from the list. - Don't Forget Circle to Search
Make sure this is on. Go to Settings > Display > Navigation bar (or Gestures) and toggle on Circle to Search.
Here's a good trick: On almost any Android phone, you can slap a Gemini widget right on your home screen. Long-press the home screen, choose Widgets, and find the Gemini one.
Putting AI to Work on Your Daily Grind
The point is to stop just asking questions and start getting things done before you even ask. Try these.
For Planning and Cutting Through the Noise
- Summarize a Long Article
When you're in Chrome, tap the Gemini icon in the address bar or use "Ask Gemini" from the share menu. Just type "Summarize this page." - Write Messages For You
In Gmail or Google Messages, start a new message. Look for a Gemini or AI Help button (usually a star or wand) to draft or polish your text.
Try this prompt: "Help me write a polite SMS to my landlord about a leaking tap in Hindi." The improved multilingual support is one of Gemini's genuinely useful upgrades.
For Creative and Visual Jobs
- Edit Photos with AI Power
Open a picture in Google Photos. Tap Edit and look for tools like Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, or Portrait Light. This is all Google's AI at work. - Generate Images or Brainstorm
In the Gemini app, type something like "Generate an image of a modern living room with a blue sofa" or "Give me ideas for a toddler's birthday party on a budget."
Tuning Your Phone So AI Doesn't Wreck It
These new features can be battery hogs if you're not careful. A few quick settings changes make a big difference.
| Setting Area | Before Optimization | After Optimization |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Usage | AI features may drain battery quickly if left unrestricted. | AI runs efficiently, balancing performance and battery life. |
| Feature Responsiveness | Delays in AI processing or suggestions. | Quick, snappy responses from Gemini and contextual suggestions. |
| Data Usage | High mobile data use from cloud processing. | Managed data use with optional on-device processing. |
- Keep an Eye on AI Battery Drain
Go to Settings > Battery > Battery usage. Look for apps like Gemini, Google, or Android System Intelligence. You can restrict background use here, but it might break some features. - Choose On-Device or Cloud Processing
Navigate to Settings > Google > Device & Sharing > Device capabilities. Find an option like On-Device AI and turn it on. This keeps some tasks faster and more private. - Set Your Privacy Rules
Go to Settings > Google > Account Services > Search, Assistant & Voice. Review Web & App Activity, Location History, and Personalized Help. Turning these on makes the AI smarter for you, but it means sharing more data with Google.
Important: This is a trade-off. More data usually equals a more helpful AI. You get to decide where that line is.
Mixing AI with Popular Indian Apps
This isn't just about Google apps. AI is starting to creep into the services you use every day.
- Smarter UPI Payments (Maybe Soon)
This isn't real yet, but imagine it: you say, "Send ₹500 to Rohan for dinner via PhonePe," and the AI fills in the app, amount, and contact. Watch for updates from UPI apps on this front. - Real-Time Language Translation
Use the Google Translate app or the Lens feature in your camera. Point your phone at a sign or menu. The newer AI models provide translations that actually make sense contextually. - Shopping Suggestions That Get You
On shopping apps, you might start seeing product recommendations that feel scarily accurate, because they're based on more than just your last purchase, thanks to AI models working in the background.
When Things Go Wrong: Troubleshooting
Problem: Gemini or AI Features Are Missing or Broken
You've updated your phone but the new AI stuff is nowhere to be found, or Gemini just won't respond.
Fix it: First, see if the feature is even available where you are. Go to Settings > System > Languages & input. Sometimes adding English (US or India) can unlock features. Next, clear the cache for the Google app: Settings > Apps > Google > Storage & cache > Clear cache. Then restart your phone.
Problem: AI Is Murdering Your Battery
Your phone dies by lunchtime after you started using all the new AI tools.
Fix it: Dial back the always-listening features. Go to Settings > Google > Account Services > Search, Assistant & Voice > Voice Match and turn off Hey Google. You can also restrict background battery use for the Google app as a temporary band-aid.
Problem: The AI's Answers Are Weird or Biased
As highlighted in our sources, AI models can spit out biased or just plain wrong answers that don't fit your situation.
Fix it: This is a core issue with the tech right now. Your best move is to give feedback. In the Gemini app, after a bad response, tap the thumbs-down icon and explain why it missed the mark. This is how the models get better, slowly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will using these AI features void my phone's warranty?
No, using official Google or manufacturer-released AI features will not void your warranty.
Can I turn these AI features off completely if I don't like them?
Yes, you can disable features like Gemini, Assistant, and contextual suggestions in your device's Settings and Google app settings.
Is my personal data safe with these AI features?
Your data is used according to Google's Privacy Policy; you can control much of this data collection in your Google Account settings, with some on-device processing keeping data private.
Will these new AI features work on my budget Realme or Xiaomi phone?
Core features that work via the cloud (like the Gemini app) will work, but advanced on-device features may require newer hardware and may roll out slower to budget devices.
Do I need to pay for these AI features?
Basic integration is free, but advanced tiers like Gemini Advanced may require a paid Google One AI Premium subscription.
Will my phone slow down because of AI?
On older or budget devices, some background AI processes may impact performance; you can manage this by restricting background activity for related apps.
The Real Takeaway
Google I/O 2026 wasn't about flashy demos. It was about the boring, useful integration of AI into everything your phone does. The test isn't if you can have a philosophical chat with a bot, it's if your phone can quietly handle the small stuff, saving you ten minutes here and fifteen seconds there. That's the shift. So pick one thing, like having Gemini draft a tricky text, and see if it actually helps. If it does, you'll know the future is here. If it doesn't, well, you've just confirmed the hype still outruns the reality.
Sources
- digitaltrends.com
- reddit.com
- gadgetmatch.com
- forbes.com
- technologyreview.com
- linkedin.com
- business.google.com