Google introduces automatic memory in Gemini

Google has started rolling out an update to its AI chatbot Gemini that will allow it to automatically “remember” your past conversations without you having to ask. When the feature is enabled, Gemini will automatically save “key details and preferences” and use them to personalize responses.

This is an extension of an update Google rolled out last year, where you could manually tell Gemini to remember your personal preferences and interests. Now, that step is no longer necessary. For example, if you've asked Gemini in the past for ideas for a YouTube channel about Japanese culture, it might suggest creating videos about tasting Japanese food the next time you're looking for new ideas.

While it sounds convenient, similar features in other AI tools sometimes raise concerns. The New York Times recently linked the introduction of “memories across conversations” in ChatGPT in April of this year to an increase in reports of “deceptive” chats. OpenAI last week announced additional safeguards to detect mental or emotional distress.

Google spokesman Elijah Lawal stressed that the company is “continuously improving security protections.”

“Our goal is to build a personal AI assistant, so learning your preferences is key. But equally important, having easy control over the experience – you can turn the feature on or off at any time.”

The feature will be enabled by default, but you can turn it off in the Gemini app settings under “Personal Context” by turning off “Your past chats with Gemini.” The feature will first be available in Gemini 2.5 Pro in select countries, and later rolled out more widely and also in Gemini 2.5 Flash. If you have “Gemini Apps Activity” turned off, the new “Keep Activity” feature will also remain turned off.

Google will be changing the name of the “Gemini Apps Activity” setting to “Keep Activity” in the coming weeks. If you enable it, starting September 2nd, Google will use a sample of your files and photos uploaded to Gemini to improve its services.

For added privacy, Google is also introducing “temporary chats.” These won’t be stored across recent conversations, and they won’t affect the personalization of future responses, nor will they be used to train AI models. Google will keep them for a maximum of 72 hours, which is ideal for sensitive questions or to prevent Gemini from later referencing the details of those conversations.