As of January 19, 2026, Google has officially rolled out the “Answer now” button for the Gemini app across Android, iOS, and the web. This feature is designed to give you more control over how the AI processes your requests, particularly when using more complex models.
What is the “Answer now” button?
The button appears next to the loading indicator while Gemini is processing a prompt. It allows you to bypass the “in-depth thinking” phase to get an immediate response.
- How it works: When you tap the button, Gemini stops its multi-step reasoning process and delivers the best answer it has formulated up to that point.
- The Model Stays the Same: Unlike simply switching to a “Fast” model, “Answer now” forces the Pro or Thinking model to give you an answer without completing its full internal “thought signature.”
- Replaces the “Skip” button: On Android, this specifically replaces the older “Skip” terminology, though some iOS users may still see the “Skip” label for a short transition period.
When will you see it?
The button is not universal; its appearance depends on which “Mode” you have selected in your Gemini app:
| Mode | Does “Answer now” appear? | Best Use Case |
| Fast (Gemini 3 Flash) | No | For instant, simple answers. |
| Thinking (Gemini 3 Flash) | Yes | For complex logic where you might change your mind and want the answer sooner. |
| Pro (Gemini 3 Pro) | Yes | For advanced coding, math, or deep research tasks. |
Why use it?
Google introduced this feature to solve the “waiting anxiety” associated with newer, high-reasoning models. If you realize midway through the “thinking” animation that your question was simpler than expected, or if you’re in a hurry, you can now trigger the final output manually.
