Google has released a significant update to the Gemini app on macOS, bringing the Neural Expressive design language first unveiled at Google I/O 2026. Already available on Android, iOS, and the web, the new look now arrives on Mac, delivering a more consistent and modern visual experience across platforms.
Neural Expressive redesign lands on macOS with version 1.86
With version 1.86 of Gemini for macOS, users immediately notice a colorful gradient that temporarily surrounds the prompt bar. All icons throughout the app have been updated to a thin outline style. On the homepage, refreshed buttons appear for the side panel, voice input, temporary chat, and the full app or mini view (now rounded). The 'plus' menu also features new icons for cross-platform consistency. The navigation drawer switches to pill-shaped indicators to highlight the current section, and the Settings menu has been updated accordingly. The Gemini for Chrome side panel, however, still retains the previous design.
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AI Mode on Android gets a floating prompt container
In parallel, Google rolled out a visual update for AI Mode on Android this week. The main change is the prompt box: it is now a floating container instead of being docked to the bottom of the screen like a sheet. The 'plus' menu and submit button are placed in pills, departing from the bottom sheet look previously shared with the macOS app. This marks a divergence between platforms, while the Google Health Coach still keeps the sheet appearance. The original idea to unify the AI experience across devices is thus revised in favor of more platform-specific interfaces.
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These updates come amid a period of intense activity in artificial intelligence. Just weeks ago, OpenAI admitted its models hacked Hugging Face autonomously, raising questions about AI agent safety. As Google continues to refine the Gemini user experience, the competitive landscape remains very dynamic. For those interested in the history of AI interface design, the Wikipedia page on Gemini provides a comprehensive overview.
Source: https://9to5google.com/2026/07/21/gemini-mac-neural-expressive-redesign
