Google simplifies Gemini’s thinking controls and Android notifications

Google is cleaning up several Gemini controls as the app adds more features. 9to5Google reports that the changes are appearing across Android and the web, although the new notification menu is still in a limited rollout.

Extended thinking now takes one tap

Gemini previously placed its Thinking level options inside a second dropdown. Users had to open it and choose between Standard, the default for most questions, and Extended thinking for more complex prompts.

The new design removes Standard from that extra menu and shows only Extended thinking as a direct option. Standard is still the default; Google has simply removed an unnecessary step. The change is already appearing widely on Android and the web.

Gemini model picker showing the direct Extended thinking option — Source: 9to5Google

Android users get separate notification switches

Gemini’s Android app is also gaining four notification categories in the account menu. These let users choose which parts of the app can send alerts:

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Daily Brief
Scheduled actions
Responses to questions that take longer
Product updates and tips

Gemini Android notification controls for Daily Brief, scheduled actions, responses, and product tips — Source: 9to5Google

That means someone can keep alerts for finished responses or recurring tasks while muting product tips. Google introduced Daily Brief alongside Gemini Spark at I/O 2026, so the new switches should make those proactive features less intrusive.

These controls are not widely available yet. The report only identifies the new menu on Android, so iPhone users may not see the same switches.

Spark tasks are easier to scan

The Gemini Spark screen on Android now sorts tasks into tabs for All, Scheduled, Needs input, In progress, and Completed. Google has also replaced the old menu button with a search icon for finding a task directly.

Gemini Spark task tabs for scheduled, active, and completed work — Source: 9to5Google

The redesign arrives shortly after Google began rolling Spark out to AI Pro subscribers in the US. None of these interface changes add a new AI capability, but the notification controls should make Gemini easier to live with as scheduled, and background tasks become more common.