Google has published a help page explaining how to start using Gemini Apps on a computer, from typing a first prompt at gemini.google.com to starting a temporary chat and choosing a model. The steps below come from that Google support page, retrieved on October 3, 2026.
What it does
Google says Gemini Apps can be used to brainstorm ideas, develop a plan or find different ways to get things done, to get a summary of more complex topics, and to create first drafts of outlines, emails, blog posts, poems and more.
The company also warns that "Gemini Apps can make mistakes" and says users should double-check responses and not rely on them for professional advice.
Before you start
Google says some features work without signing in, but to use additional features or save your Gemini Apps activity you need to sign in with a Google Account.
To sign in, Google lists a personal Google Account; a work Google Account with a qualifying Workspace edition, where you must also be 18 or over; or a school Google Account, where the service must be enabled by your institution's administrator. Google adds that a Family Link manager can turn off access to Gemini Apps for users under 13 (or the applicable age in the country) in Google Family Link settings.
For gemini.google.com, Google says you need access to a supported browser: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera, or Edgium.
Steps: start a conversation in chat
Step 1: On your computer, go to gemini.google.com.
Step 2: In the text box at the bottom, enter your question or prompt.
Step 3: Optionally, to add a file or image to your prompt, click Add files, then follow the on screen instructions.
Step 4: Click Submit.
Step 5: To start a new chat, at the top left, click New chat. Google says that if the option isn't there, you should first click Menu.
Steps: start a temporary chat
Google says a temporary chat won't appear in your Gemini Apps Activity or your recent chats. It requires being signed in with a personal Google Account and using the Gemini web or mobile app; Google says the feature is not available for work or school accounts, or for Gemini in Chrome or Gemini in Google Messages.
Step 1: On your computer, go to gemini.google.com. Step 2: Next to New chat, click Temporary chat. Step 3: In the text box at the bottom, enter your question or prompt. Step 4: Click Submit.
Google says that in a temporary chat you can't use Gems, use Connected Apps and other integrated services that require the Keep Activity setting to be turned on, get personalized responses, save information for future personalization, or give feedback about the response.
Steps: choose a model
Google says you must be signed in to switch between models. Step 1: Go to gemini.google.com. Step 2: At the bottom, inside the text box, click the model name. Step 3: Select the model you want to use.
According to Google, Gemini Flash-Lite is an efficient model designed for speed and suited to everyday tasks like summarization and brainstorming; Gemini Flash balances speed and reasoning; and Gemini Pro is described as the most advanced model for complex math and coding prompts, with Google noting that response time for Gemini 3 Pro prompts will generally take longer than with other models.
What works when signed out
Google says that when signed out you can generally use text-based interactions, such as asking informational questions or generating simple text, and that capabilities may vary and are subject to change.
Features unavailable when signed out include past chats, personalized responses, integration with other Google services through Connected Apps, and, Google says, image generation, Gems and file upload. Sign-in is also required for the Gemini mobile app on an Android device.
What to do
- Double-check Gemini's responses and do not rely on them for professional advice, as Google advises.
- Sign in with a Google Account if you want saved activity, file upload, image generation, Gems or personalized responses.
- Use a temporary chat if you do not want the conversation kept in your Gemini Apps Activity or recent chats.
- To check whether the web app is using your precise location, go to gemini.google.com, at the top left tap Menu then Settings & help, and look at the dot next to the location at the bottom of the menu; select "Update location" to allow precise location.
Key facts and where they come from
- Signing in is required to save Gemini Apps activity or use additional features.
To use additional features or save your Gemini Apps activity, you’ll need to sign in with a Google Account.
- Google lists five supported browsers for the web app.
To use gemini.google.com, you need access to a supported browser: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera, or Edgium.
- Google warns the service can be wrong and should not be used for professional advice.
Gemini Apps can make mistakes. When using Gemini Apps, double-check responses and don’t rely on responses from Gemini Apps for professional advice.
- Temporary chats are not stored in activity or recent chats.
You can start a temporary chat that won’t appear in your Gemini Apps Activity or your recent chats.
- Model switching requires sign-in and is done from the text box.
At the bottom, inside the text box, click the model name.
- Gemini can produce formatted files from a conversation.
You can create formatted files directly from your Gemini Apps conversations.
- A blue dot in Settings & help indicates precise location use on the web app.
If the dot is blue, gemini.google.com has access to and is using your precise location.