Google is expanding its Gemini AI-based email search features to iOS, allowing iPhone and iPad users to benefit from advanced queries within Gmail, as the tech giant races ahead of Apple’s own AI system, Apple Intelligence.
Initially rolled out in August for Google Workspace accounts on Android, the Gemini AI search function is now available on iOS, giving users the ability to interact with their inbox in new and intuitive ways. Through the “Gmail Q&A” feature, users can perform complex searches, such as listing unread emails or finding messages from specific senders. Gemini can also summarize emails and provide answers to more general queries without requiring users to open their browser.
Google further plans to extend this AI functionality beyond Gmail, with future updates set to include Google Drive search capabilities using the same AI technology.
This rollout is part of a 15-day process, making it available to Google Workspace users with specific add-ons, such as Gemini Business, Enterprise, Education, Education Premium, and Google One AI Premium. Administrators will need to enable smart features through the Admin console to activate the functionality for end-users, who can then access the feature through the Gemini star icon or a “Summarize this email” button.
This push to iOS marks a competitive step against Apple’s AI efforts. Apple’s own AI system, known as Apple Intelligence, offers similar features like email summarization and contextual understanding, but relies heavily on onboard processing to enhance security, unlike Google’s cloud-based processing. Apple Intelligence is still in beta testing as part of iOS 18.1, which is expected to be released later this year.
With Google bringing these Gemini-powered tools to iOS ahead of Apple’s full AI release, the two tech giants are now locked in a closer race to dominate the AI-driven productivity space.