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Google plans to automatically transition existing Gems to skills when Gems are removed: November 2026 for personal Google Accounts, March 2027 for Workspace business, enterprise, and nonprofit accounts, and June 2027 for Workspace education accounts. As of October 3, 2026, all three dates are still in the future. You can also recreate a Gem as a skill yourself before then. Google says skills are available without a Google AI subscription, though account eligibility and the staged rollout still affect who can use them now.
When will Google move Gems to skills?
Google’s plan is to migrate Gems automatically when it removes them. The dates vary by account type, and Google described them as planned dates in its transition guidance, not completed changes.
| Account type | Planned Gems removal and automatic transition |
|---|---|
| Personal Google Accounts | November 2026 |
| Workspace business, enterprise, and nonprofit accounts | March 2027 |
| Workspace education accounts | June 2027 |
Google announced the plan on September 30, 2026. Deven Tokuno, Senior Product Manager for the Gemini app, said, “To make this transition seamless, we will automatically migrate your Gems into skills when Gems go away.” That describes Google’s intended migration, not a guarantee that every tool or workflow will behave identically afterward. Google’s announcement and its transition help page provide the current schedule.
Can you use Gemini skills for free?
Yes. Google’s Gemini Apps Help page says skills are available without a Google AI subscription and can be used in chats. That answers whether a paid Google AI plan is inherently required for skills; it does not mean every account has access immediately.
#1 Best Overall
- Attention-grabbing design meets the latest evolution of the Google Pixel Camera on the new Google Pixel 11 Pro; Gemini Intelligence helps manage details so you can live in the moment[1]; and the phone is available in two sizes
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan: Works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers[2]
- Stay informed without looking at your screen: When your phone is face down, Pixel HiLight gently alerts you with subtle glowing lights when your favorite contacts are calling or you’re talking with Gemini; exclusive to Google Pixel 11 Pro phones
- Magic Capture catches the moment as you live it: With just one tap, Pixel 11 Pro captures video and photos, and automatically edits, crops, and unblurs a curated collection, ready to share – and you get the memory of how it felt to be in the moment
- Two new cameras for more brilliant photos: A larger telephoto sensor captures 30% more light for clear, beautiful photos and videos, even in the dark[3]; Pixel’s longest zoom ever helps you capture details from impressive distances[4]
At the time of Google’s help guidance, the listed conditions were that users be at least 18, signed in with a personal Google Account, and have Keep Activity turned on. The same page said work and school accounts were not yet available through that guidance and that skills were gradually rolling out. Separately, Google’s September 30, 2026 announcement said availability for Workspace business, enterprise, nonprofit, and education customers would be brought in over the coming weeks. Availability is therefore account- and rollout-dependent, and may change as Google expands access. Check Google’s skills eligibility and management guidance for the latest conditions.
Do not confuse skills with Gemini Spark tasks and schedules: Google says those functions may require a subscription that supports Gemini Spark. That subscription distinction does not make a Google AI subscription a requirement for skills.
Rank #2
- Google Pixel 10a is a durable, everyday phone with more[1]; snap brilliant photography on a simple, powerful camera, get 30+ hours out of a full charge[2], and do more with helpful AI like Gemini[3]
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan; it works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Pixel 10a is sleek and durable, with a super smooth finish, scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 7i display, and IP68 water and dust protection[4]
- The Actua display with 3,000-nit peak brightness shows up clear as day, even in direct sunlight[5]
- Plan, create, and get more done with help from Gemini, your built-in AI assistant[3]; have it screen spam calls while you focus[6]; chat with Gemini to brainstorm your meal plan[7], or bring your ideas to life with Nano Banana[8]
How to recreate a Gem as a skill before the automatic migration
You can copy a Gem’s name, description, and instructions into a manually created skill. Do this on the web; Google says manually created skills may not save in the mobile app.
- Open the Gem. In Gemini on the web, open the Gems sidebar and edit the Gem you want to move. Keep its name, description, and instructions available to copy.
- Create a skill. In another browser tab, open Settings → Skills → Create manually.
- Copy the Gem’s details. Enter the Gem’s name, description, and instructions in the skill form, then select Create. Google says the skill name is automatically adjusted to the required format.
- Transfer any Knowledge files if needed. Download the Gem’s files first, then follow the file-transfer steps below.
Google’s full Gems-to-skills instructions cover manual recreation and the planned automatic move.
If the Gem has Knowledge files
- Download each Knowledge file from the Gem. For an early manual transfer, files must be downloaded individually.
- Create a local folder named to match the skill name, using lowercase words separated by hyphens, and put the downloaded files in it.
- After creating the skill, download it as a ZIP containing
SKILL.md. Place that file in the same folder as the Knowledge files. - In Gemini web, open the skill’s actions and choose the option to replace it. Select the folder and upload it. The folder name must match the skill name.
Google says supported Gem files are expected to transfer automatically as part of the planned migration. GitHub files are not supported in skills. For manual uploads, supported files can be uploaded together after they have been downloaded individually.
What changes when you use a skill instead of a Gem?
Skills are designed to be reusable instructions that Gemini can apply when relevant, call by name, and combine with other skills. The change is more than a renamed Gem: some old tools are not yet compatible.
Rank #4
- Google Pixel 10 Pro is the ultimate Pixel experience, featuring advanced AI with Gemini, unbelievable camera quality, impeccable design in two sizes, and the next-gen Google Tensor G5 chip[1]
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; it works - Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Get a head start on syncing your data before it even arrives: After you purchase your new Pixel, look for an email that explains how to transfer your photos, videos, passwords, and more in just a few quick steps[11]
- Pixel’s pro camera system makes everything look amazing, even in low light; capture more of the scene with advanced Google AI models, and bring out incredible details with 100x Pro Res Zoom, stunning 50 MP images, and super steady videos in 8K[10]
- Pixel 10 Pro is built with durable aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for scratch and drop resistance; the 6.3-inch Super Actua display with 3,300-nit peak brightness is easy on the eyes, even in direct sunlight[3,13,18]
- Calling a skill: Type
/followed by the skill name in a Gemini chat to invoke it. Gemini can also apply a skill automatically when it judges the skill relevant. - Combining skills: Skills can be used together. Google sets a limit of 100 active skills; disable one to make room for another.
- Connected Apps: Skills can work with Connected Apps, including Workspace apps, subject to the features available to your account.
- Tools that do not yet work with skills: Google lists Create video, Create music, Canvas, Deep Research, and Guided learning among Gems tools that mostly do not work with skills. Its skills help page also specifically says skills do not yet work with Canvas or Deep Research.
- Planned additions: Google’s transition help article describes sharing and adding files from Google Drive and Gemini Notebook as planned additions “in the coming weeks.” That wording is a plan, not confirmation that the features are currently available.
Where can you create and edit skills?
Google lists Gemini web, mobile, and Mac as skill platforms. For more control, use Gemini web: manually created skills may not save in the mobile app, and skills with uploaded files cannot currently be edited in the mobile or Mac app. Google says those file-based edits must be made on the web.
For a Gem created through Google Labs, the transition is different: Google says Gems by Google Labs will go away with the November 2026 change and will not migrate into skills. If you rely on one, do not assume the automatic Gem migration will preserve it.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Google Pixel 7 is powered by Google Tensor G2; it’s faster, more efficient, and more secure, with the best photo and video quality yet on Pixel[1].Other camera description:Front,Rear.Bluetooth Version 5.2 with dual antennas for enhanced quality and connection.
- Unlocked Android 5G phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Pixel’s Adaptive Battery can last over 24 hours; when Extreme Battery Saver is turned on, it can last up to 72 hours[3]
- The 6.3-inch Pixel 7 display is super sharp, with rich, vivid colors; it’s fast and responsive for smoother gaming, scrolling, and moving between apps[4]
- Google Pixel 7 has wide and ultrawide lenses with up to 8x Super Res Zoom[5]; and Cinematic Blur brings more drama to your videos
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