Google AI Mode now lets you test and talk to Search Live

Abner Li | Jun 18 2025 - 9:00 am PT

Following the I/O 2025 announcement and early availability for some, Google is now letting AI Mode users test Search Live with voice input.

Search Live lets you have a back-and-forth conversation with Google Search that supports follow-up questions in both directions. For example:

“What are some tips for preventing a linen dress from wrinkling in a suitcase?”
- “What should I do if it still wrinkles?”

Once available, tap the new waveform badged by a sparkle icon underneath the Search bar. It’s the same icon as Gemini Live, while you can also access it with a new button to the right of the text field.

This launches a fullscreen light or dark interface with the new gradient ‘G’ in the top-left corner and an arc-shaped waveform in the AI Mode colors. There’s a pill-shaped Mute/Unmute button at the bottom along with “Transcript” to open the AI Mode text chat.

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When you ask questions, Search Live will surface links that you can scroll through as part of its response. You can open another app or lock your screen, and continue the conversation with Search Live in the background.

There’s a close ‘x’ in the corner, while the overflow button lets you access Search history and Voice settings, with four options: Cassini, Cosmo, Neso, and Terra.

Behind-the-scenes, Search Live is powered by a “custom version of Gemini with advanced voice capabilities.”

Our custom model is built on Search’s best-in-class quality and information systems, so you still get reliable, helpful responses no matter where, or how, you’re asking your question. Search Live with voice also uses our query fan-out technique to show you a wider and more diverse set of helpful web content, enabling new opportunities for exploration.

In announcing general model availability yesterday, Google said Search uses “custom versions of 2.5 Flash-Lite and Flash.”

Search Live with voice input is now available in the Google app on Android and iOS if you’re enrolled in the “AI Mode” Search Lab in the US. Camera capabilities are coming to Search Live “in the coming months.”