Free and Plus Google AI users are losing access to some Gemini models
AI Platforms & Assistants Gemini If you're on the free or Plus tiers for Google AI, you're about to lose access to some Gemini models — here's what's changing News By David Nield Published 4 October 2026 Less AI for the same price When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The Flash (3.6) "all around help" and Pro (3.1) "advanced reasoning" models won't be available going forward.If you're on the $4.99 / £4.49 / AU$7.99 AI Plus plan, then you're losing access to Pro (3.1), but will still be able to call on Flash (3.6). Now there are further restrictions, based on model availability.
- ▪AI Platforms & Assistants Gemini If you're on the free or Plus tiers for Google AI, you're about to lose access to some Gemini models — here's what's changing News By David Nield Published 4 October 2026 Less AI for the same price When you
- ▪The Flash (3.6) "all around help" and Pro (3.1) "advanced reasoning" models won't be available going forward.If you're on the $4.99 / £4.49 / AU$7.99 AI Plus plan, then you're losing access to Pro (3.1), but will still be able to call on Fl
- ▪Now there are further restrictions, based on model availability.
4 outlets in our directory ran this story, first to last over 32 hours. All of the coverage we found sits in one bucket: centre. That one-sidedness is itself worth noticing.
- ▪ Google says free Gemini users will be limited to the 3.5 Flash-Lite model from October 9, while Plus subscribers will be limited to 3.5 Flash-Lite and 3.6 Flash (Abner Li/9to5Google) — Techmeme
- ▪ Gemini app limiting what models free & AI Plus users can access, AI Pro adding Deep Think — 9to5Google
- ▪ Google AI Plus and free users are losing access to Gemini models, and it's happening very soon — XDA Developers
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| Canonical URL | https://www.techradar.com/ai-platforms-assistants/gemini/if-youre-on-the-free-or-plus-tiers-for-google-ai-youre-about-to-lose-access-to-some-gemini-models-heres-whats-changing |
| Publication time | Sun, 04 Oct 2026 13:30:00 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-10-04T13:34:53.171Z |
| Last seen | 2026-10-04T13:34:53.171Z |
| Headline source | Publisher (no WeSearch rewrite) |
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| Cluster | y39CEsAQv4xQ · 4 stories |
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AI Platforms & Assistants Gemini If you're on the free or Plus tiers for Google AI, you're about to lose access to some Gemini models — here's what's changing News By David Nield Published 4 October 2026 Less AI for the same price When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Gemini model access is changing (Image credit: Shutterstock / Primakov) Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Google is changing model access in GeminiThe best models are being dropped from the free and Plus tiersThese updates will be applied from October 9Google is shaking up access to its Gemini AI…
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