Gemini on Android May Soon Process Requests in the Background

Google may soon introduce a significant upgrade to Gemini on Android, allowing the AI assistant to continue processing user requests in the background. The upcoming feature, currently spotted in the beta version of the Google app, could make interactions with Gemini far more seamless, intuitive, and practical for everyday multitasking.

As Google continues its push to embed Gemini across its ecosystem from smartphones and smartwatches to home assistants and productivity tools the company appears focused not just on improving AI intelligence, but also on refining how users interact with it.

Google’s Gemini AI on Android may soon process requests in the background, allowing users to multitask without interrupting ongoing interactions.

A Step Toward Seamless Multitasking

According to a report by Android Authority, Google is testing a feature that would allow Gemini’s overlay interface to remain active even when users switch between apps. At present, Gemini can be invoked using a voice hotword or by long-pressing the power button. However, the experience is limited the moment users tap outside the overlay or move to another app, the interaction ends and any ongoing request is lost.

This limitation has been one of the more noticeable friction points in daily use, particularly when users want to reference information, copy text, or complete tasks across multiple apps.

The new background-processing capability appears designed to solve this problem. Early previews suggest that users may soon be able to start a conversation with Gemini, navigate to another app, and return without needing to restart their request.

How the Feature Works

While Google has not officially detailed the functionality, code strings and interface elements discovered in the latest beta build indicate that Gemini can continue “thinking” even when it’s no longer in the foreground.

This could allow users to:

• Ask Gemini a question and switch apps while waiting for a response

• Reference information from another app without interrupting the AI interaction

• Seamlessly multitask while Gemini processes longer or more complex prompts

Such behaviour would make Gemini feel more like a background assistant rather than a temporary overlay.

A Key Step in Gemini’s Evolution

Google has been steadily expanding Gemini’s role across Android, positioning it as a core system-level assistant rather than a standalone chatbot. Over the past year, Gemini has replaced Google Assistant in several contexts and gained deeper integration with system controls, search, productivity tools, and smart devices.

Allowing background processing aligns with Google’s broader vision of making AI proactive and context-aware capable of working alongside users rather than demanding their full attention.

Competition in the AI Assistant Race

The update also reflects growing competition in the AI assistant space. Rivals such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot have pushed boundaries by enabling persistent conversations, memory, and multitasking capabilities. To remain competitive, Google needs Gemini to feel just as fluid and capable.

By enabling background processing, Gemini could close an important usability gap and better compete with AI assistants that already support longer, uninterrupted interactions.

Still in Testing Phase

At present, the feature appears limited to beta versions of the Google app and is not yet available to the general public. There is no official timeline for when or if the feature will roll out widely.

However, Google frequently uses beta releases to test functionality ahead of broader deployment, suggesting that this improvement could reach users in the coming months.

What This Means for Android Users

If rolled out widely, background processing could make Gemini far more practical for real-world use from researching information while browsing apps to composing messages, planning tasks, or managing daily routines without interruption.

As Google continues refining Gemini, features like this indicate a shift toward more natural, assistant-like interactions that blend seamlessly into the Android experience rather than feeling like a separate tool.

For now, Android users will have to wait but the signs point toward a more capable and less intrusive AI assistant arriving sooner rather than later.