Google is removing Flash and Pro from free Gemini accounts

Google is changing which models people can select in the Gemini app and on its website. From October 9, users without a paid Google AI plan are set to lose access to Flash and Pro, leaving Flash-Lite as their only model option. AI Plus subscribers will retain Flash but are also set to lose access to Pro.

Gemini model access by plan

Gemini model access by plan

Google AI plan	Flash-Lite	Flash	Pro	Planned change
Free	Yes	No	No	Flash and Pro access end October 9
AI Plus	Yes	Yes	No	Pro access will end; subscribers are expected to be notified of the timing
AI Pro	Yes	Yes	Yes	No model-access reduction announced
AI Ultra	Yes	Yes	Yes	No model-access reduction announced

Flash-Lite is designed for quick, everyday requests such as summaries and brainstorming. Flash offers a step up for a wider range of tasks, while Pro is intended for more demanding work, including complex maths, coding and analysis across documents and other materials. For anyone who currently relies on Gemini’s free tier for those harder requests, the change is more substantial than a rearranged model menu.

In the US, Google AI Plus costs about $5 per month, while AI Pro costs about $20 per month. Under the planned model lineup, Plus will no longer be enough for users who specifically need Pro. Subscription prices and availability may differ by country.

Effort settings add another choice

Google is also introducing low, medium and high “effort” settings. These let users choose how much work an available model puts into a request. Higher effort is intended to produce a more thorough answer to a difficult prompt, but it can use more of the plan’s allowance.

The setting will not bypass model restrictions. A free user choosing high effort for Flash-Lite, for example, would still be using Flash-Lite—not gaining access to Pro.

Deep Think and Gemini 4 Argon

Access to Deep Think is also changing, although its availability may depend on when Google completes the rollout. It has been associated with the AI Ultra tier, while reports about the new plan structure say AI Pro subscribers are due to gain access as well. Users should check the options shown in their accounts rather than assume that change is already live.

Google has separately announced Gemini 4 Argon for especially complex work. It is currently being rolled out to a limited group of trusted cybersecurity defenders through the Fairwind Program. Google plans broader access for paid API customers and AI Ultra subscribers, but has not provided a general release date.