Google Restricts Gemini Model Access for Free and Plus Users

WHO:

TechRadar - Google is the organization involved in the decision regarding Gemini model access.

WHAT:

TechRadar - Free and Plus Google AI users will lose access to some Gemini models.

Techmeme - Free Gemini users will be limited to the 3.5 Flash-Lite model starting October 9.

Techmeme - Plus subscribers will be limited to the 3.5 Flash-Lite and 3.6 Flash models.

WHEN:

Techmeme - The limitation for free users will take effect on October 9.

WHY:

Techmeme - The changes follow a compute-based usage change implemented by Google in May.

HOW:

Techmeme - Google is introducing limits on which Gemini models can be accessed by free users and AI Plus subscribers.

(UPDATED October 4, 2026 15:34 UTC)

Google has announced that starting October 9, free users of its Gemini AI will only have access to the 3.5 Flash-Lite model, while Plus subscribers will be able to use both the 3.5 Flash-Lite and 3.6 Flash models. This change comes as a result of a compute-based usage adjustment that Google implemented back in May. As part of this new policy, limitations will be placed on the Gemini models accessible to different tiers of users.