Google Switches Default Gemini Model for Free Users to Flash-Lite Starting Oct 9

According to Google's Gemini app help center, changes to model availability for personal accounts will take effect on October 9, 2026.

Starting that date, free individual users of Gemini on web and mobile will no longer have access to the full Flash model or Pro model by default. Instead, they will be defaulted to Flash-Lite, a smaller and lighter model.

For AI Plus subscribers, access to the Pro model will be removed. Affected users will receive an email notifying them of when the change applies to their account.