A Tiny Lifeline: Google Pushes Mandatory Gemini Upgrade to March 2026

On December 22, 2025, Google announced that its Gemini upgrade rollout will be deliberately slowed to ensure a seamless transition from Google Assistant, with the full migration continuing into 2026. According to Google, the earlier aggressive schedule has been postponed and the completion of the transition could extend beyond early 2026.

The company has reiterated its plan to upgrade all tablets, in-car systems and phone-connected devices to AI-powered Gemini experiences, while users still retain the option to manually switch back to Google Assistant. For older devices, the news is more reassuring: any device running Android 10 or later with at least 2 GB of RAM should be eligible for the upgrade.

The move reflects Gemini becoming the default digital assistant on many devices since the Pixel 9 series launch, even as Google aims to embed Gemini across its ecosystem.