Android Gemini Rolling Out New App Access Feature (v16.41.36)

AI

Key Points of This Article

• The Gemini app for Android may soon allow Gemini to access all apps installed on an Android device, including third-party ones, potentially enabling users to launch specific apps and perform actions like searches via prompts.
• Analysis of the in-app code from the Google app for Android v16.41.36 update, released around Friday, October 17, 2025, has revealed content related to a new app access feature and a new corresponding Gemini setting.
• It is likely that the “Apps” (formerly Gemini Extensions) feature in the Gemini app for Android will undergo a major renewal in the future.

Google’s AI, Gemini, supports prompts that integrate with services like Google Maps and YouTube, allowing for commands such as, “OK Google, find five cute cat videos,” or “OK Google, start walking navigation from my current location to Tokyo Station.”

However, the Gemini app for Android may soon gain the ability to access all apps installed on an Android device, including third-party ones. This would enable users to launch specific apps and perform actions like searches via prompts, similar to its integration with Google Maps and YouTube. An analysis of the in-app code from the Google app for Android v16.41.36 update, released around Friday, October 17, 2025, revealed content related to a new app access feature and a corresponding new Gemini setting.

For context, the Google app for Android is the parent app that controls not only Google Search but also the features and settings of the Gemini app for Android.

<activity android:theme="@style/Theme.GoogleApp.Transparent" android:name="com.google.android.apps.gsa.staticplugins.opa.morris.grant.foreground.GrantForegroundAccessActivity" android:exported="true" android:process=":search" android:excludeFromRecents="true" android:launchMode="singleTop">
    <intent-filter>
        <action android:name="com.google.android.apps.gsa.staticplugins.opa.morris.grant.foreground.GRANT_FOREGROUND_ACCESS"/>
        <category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT"/>
    </intent-filter>
</activity>

<string name="assistant_aps_all_apps_button_text">All apps</string>
<string name="assistant_aps_search_bar_hint_text">Search apps</string>
<string name="assistant_aps_setting_access_text">"To get the best results, allow Gemini to access your app list. You can change this in Gemini's settings."</string>
<string name="assistant_aps_setting_access_title">Allow access to app list</string>
<string name="assistant_aps_settings_button_text">Settings</string>
<string name="assistant_aps_suggestion_header_text">Suggestions</string>
<string name="assistant_gemini_settings_open_apps_preference_summary">Use info from your app list to help you launch and find apps using your voice</string>
<string name="assistant_gemini_settings_open_apps_preference_title">Open &amp; search apps</string>
<string name="assistant_robin_onboarding_ui_card_description_3_default">"Gemini uses info from your installed apps (like your app list) to help you launch and find apps using your voice. You can turn this off in Gemini's settings."</string>
<string name="assistant_robin_onboarding_ui_card_title_3_default">Open &amp; search your apps</string>

<string name="assistant_aps_all_apps_button_text">すべてのアプリ</string>
<string name="assistant_aps_search_bar_hint_text">アプリを検索</string>
<string name="assistant_aps_setting_access_text">最適な回答を得るには、Gemini にアプリリストへのアクセスを許可してください。これは Gemini の設定で変更できます。</string>
<string name="assistant_aps_setting_access_title">アプリリストへのアクセスを許可</string>
<string name="assistant_aps_settings_button_text">設定</string>
<string name="assistant_aps_suggestion_header_text">候補</string>
<string name="assistant_gemini_settings_open_apps_preference_summary">アプリリストの情報を使用して、音声によるアプリの起動や検索をサポートします</string>
<string name="assistant_gemini_settings_open_apps_preference_title">アプリの起動と検索</string>
<string name="assistant_robin_onboarding_ui_card_description_3_default">Gemini は、インストール済みのアプリの情報（アプリリストなど）を使用して、音声によるアプリの起動や検索をサポートします。この設定は Gemini の設定で OFF にできます。</string>
<string name="assistant_robin_onboarding_ui_card_title_3_default">アプリの起動と検索</string>

This new app access feature in the Google app for Android, discovered through the in-app code, is expected to enable Gemini to control third-party apps installed on Android. This could include commands like, “OK Google, find highly-rated wireless earphones on Amazon,” “OK Google, search for #TodaysLunch on X,” or “OK Google, tell me my total assets from Money Forward.” In other words, it is anticipated that the “Apps” (formerly Gemini Extensions) feature in the Gemini app for Android will undergo a major renewal in the future.

“Google” App Link