The Verge AI · 10/6/2026, 1:19:01 PM
Google Cuts Free Access to Gemini Pro and Flash Models
Starting October 9, Google will restrict free Gemini users to the Flash Lite model, moving access to Gemini Flash and Pro behind a $4.99/month AI Plus subscription. This shift signals a tightening of free-tier limits as Google monetizes its core reasoning capabilities.
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Users on Google’s $4.99 AI Plus subscription are also losing access to Gemini Pro.
Users on Google’s $4.99 AI Plus subscription are also losing access to Gemini Pro.
by Oct 6, 2026, 1 PM UTC
Illustration: The VergeStevie Bonifield is a news writer covering all things consumer tech. Stevie started out at Laptop Mag writing news and reviews on hardware, gaming, and AI.
Starting on October 9th, anyone using Google Gemini on a free plan will be limited to the Flash Lite model. Free users can currently choose from Gemini Flash Lite, Flash, and Pro, but now you’ll need a $4.99/month Google AI Plus subscription to access the standard Flash model. However, that subscription is also getting a downgrade – it will soon no longer include Gemini Pro. Google says AI Plus subscribers will receive an email letting them know when they’ll lose access to it.
After these changes, access to the top-tier Gemini Pro model and a “Deep Think” advanced reasoning option will be restricted to users with a Google AI Pro or Ultra subscription, which cost 99.99 per month, respectively.
Google says users will still be able to choose from low, medium, and high effort levels for each model, but using higher effort levels could burn through your Gemini usage limit faster.
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- Stevie Bonifield