Google's Gemini can now help you play games better on Android phones

Google’s Gemini AI assistant can now help Android users navigate mobile games through a new in-game overlay called Play Games Sidekick. The feature allows players to ask Gemini Live for gaming tips and strategies without leaving their games. Using voice commands, users can request help when stuck, and the AI responds audibly while analyzing what's happening on screen. The overlay appears as a moveable tab that provides access to screenshots, screen recording, YouTube streaming tools, achievements, and game statistics.

"Instead of having to leave the game to seek out tutorials or walkthroughs, we're leveraging the latest Gemini audio-to-audio model to help understand your gaming context," said Aurash Mahbod, Google Play Games VP and General Manager.

Initially, the AI gaming assistant will support select titles from EA and Netmarble, including "Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes," "FC Mobile," and "Solo Leveling: Arise." Google plans to expand compatibility to more games over the coming months.

The gaming updates are part of broader Play Store changes announced Tuesday, including a redesigned Apps tab with AI-powered search capabilities and personalised content spaces. Users can now type goals like "find a home" instead of specific app names to discover relevant applications.

Google is also launching a unified gaming profile system that tracks achievements and statistics across Android and PC platforms, complete with AI-generated profile pictures. The company additionally introduced gaming forums where players can ask questions and share answers directly on game store pages.

The Play Games Sidekick feature resembles Microsoft's Gaming Copilot, which provides similar AI assistance on Xbox and Windows 11. Google's PC version of Play Games, featuring over 200,000 mobile titles, officially exits beta today after three years of development.