Finding Android apps on the Google Play Store just got a lot easier thanks to Gemini

Google's AI assistant now works directly with the Play Store to recommend and install apps.

By Varun Mirchandani Published June 27, 2026

Google Play Store Photo — Mika Baumeister / Unsplash

Google is making Gemini even more useful on Android. Google first previewed the Google Play connected app for Gemini at Google I/O 2026, and it’s now finally rolling out to users. The new integration brings the Play Store directly into Gemini, letting the AI assistant help discover apps, make purchases, and complete more tasks without leaving the chat.

Gemini can now do more than recommend apps

Google says users can ask Gemini to find apps based on a specific goal, such as a map app for international travel or a productivity app for meal planning. Once Gemini surfaces relevant suggestions, it can open their Play Store listings, making it quicker to download and get started.

The new integration also expands into digital commerce. Users can now purchase Google Play gift cards directly through Gemini or search for and buy select in-app items for apps that are already installed on their device. Instead of bouncing between multiple menus, Gemini acts as a conversational front end for parts of the Play Store experience.

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The Google Play connected app is rolling out gradually on Android devices. To use it, users must be 18 years or older, signed in with a personal Google Account, and have Gemini Apps Activity (Keep Activity) enabled. It’s worth noting that at launch, the feature isn’t available for Workspace accounts.

This feels like one of Gemini’s most practical upgrades yet

The funny thing is that most people don’t struggle with installing apps. They struggle with finding the right one. The Play Store is home to millions of apps, and simply searching by keyword doesn’t always surface the best option. Letting Gemini understand what users are trying to accomplish, then recommending apps based on that goal, feels like a much more natural use of AI.

More importantly, this isn’t just another extension. It’s another step toward Google’s bigger vision for Gemini. Over the past few months, the assistant has steadily gained deeper integrations with Chrome, Google Wallet, Messages, Phone, and now Google Play. The end goal is becoming increasingly obvious: instead of opening individual apps to complete a task, Google wants users to simply ask Gemini and let it figure out the rest.

Varun Mirchandani

News Writer

Varun is an experienced technology journalist and editor with over eight years in consumer tech media. His work spans…

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