Google is expanding access to its artificial intelligence (AI) tools across Android by rolling out a direct “Ask Gemini” shortcut directly inside the system-level text selection menu. While Android users could previously send highlighted text to the generative assistant through the standard Share menu, the newly introduced shortcut reduces the workflow to a quick interaction in a single tap. Smartphone users can already launch Gemini on most modern Android hardware by holding down the physical power button, and Google has steadily introduced AI integrations across services like Chrome for Android.Following an initial development discovery spotted in March of last year, the highlighted text feature is now actively rolling out. One of those is ‘Automated Text Transfer’. When users highlight text within various applications, tapping on “Ask Gemini” from the pop-up context menu immediately launches the Gemini app with the copied passage pre-populated in the query field, requiring only a tap of the send button. This dedicated action eliminates the traditional routine of copying text, opening the chatbot separately and pasting the snippet into the conversation box, as per a report by Android Authority.
Broad app compatibility and display variations
The shortcut is not confined to proprietary Google software; it functions across a broad ecosystem of popular third-party tools. The button activates across web browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, as well as productivity and communication platforms including WhatsApp and Slack, the report said.On standard slab-style smartphones, the “Ask Gemini” button may occasionally rest behind the overflow three-dot icon in the selection menu, while appearing as a prominent quick option on larger or foldable screen layouts. The shortcut has been identified across multiple application iterations, including Google app versions 17.51.18 and 17.51.19, and the capability appears to be deploying as a server-side update.