AI Mode in Google Search has been on our radar since December, but it only became official a couple of months ago. For those unfamiliar, it’s an enhanced version of AI Overviews, designed to deliver more accurate answers across a broad range of search queries, powered by a tailored Gemini 2.0 model. We got an early look at how the Android version of the Google app planned to integrate AI Mode, and a report last month gave us another preview. Now, it seems Google is finally locking in where this key AI Mode shortcut will appear in the app.
According to a report from 9to5Google, the AI Mode shortcut is now being positioned directly within the Google app’s search bar. Previously, Google had placed the shortcut among the icons just below the search bar, but it appears the company has now finalized its new, more prominent location. Similar to the microphone and Lens icons in earlier versions of the search bar, the AI Mode icon will remain visible at all times — even as users scroll through the Discover feed.
Google App Drops a Few Shortcuts
With AI Mode now embedded directly in the search bar, the microphone and Lens icons have been shifted to the shortcut row just beneath it, now joined by the Screenshots icon. As a result, shortcuts like Homework, Translate, and Sound Search have been removed. Interestingly, the three icons in this row now appear in monochrome—likely to keep the focus on the visually distinct, shimmering AI Mode icon.
This repositioned AI Mode shortcut is now appearing in both the beta and stable builds of the Google app. While iPhone users have had access to it for some time, the feature is currently available only in the U.S. It was initially exclusive to Google One AI Premium subscribers and placed behind a waitlist, but Google removed those restrictions earlier this month.