Google limits free Gemini users to Flash-Lite starting October 9

On October 3, 2026, IT之家 reported that Google's Gemini app help center had posted a change to which models are available to people using personal accounts. The change takes effect on October 9, 2026: from that date, free individual users on Gemini for Web and App will no longer get the full Flash model by default, nor access to Pro, and will instead be moved to the smaller, lighter Flash-Lite model.

The same notice says the AI Plus tier will lose access to the Pro model. Subscribers on AI Plus will receive an email explaining when the changes take effect for their account.

The help center lists the post-change model availability as follows. On the unsubscribed tier, users get Flash-Lite, with no Flash and no Pro. On AI Plus, users get Flash-Lite and Flash, but not Pro. On AI Pro and AI Ultra, all three — Flash-Lite, Flash and Pro — remain available.

The report does not give a reason for the adjustment, nor does it name the version of the Flash model that free users previously received by default or specify the technical details of Flash-Lite. As of the report, the change had been announced but had not yet taken effect, with the stated start date still set for October 9, 2026.