In a move to make ephemeral AI interactions more accessible, Google has begun testing a dedicated Temporary Chat button on the main interface of the Gemini app. Spotted on March 18, 2026, the new design moves the privacy-focused feature out of the navigation drawer and places it directly on the homepage, next to the user’s profile avatar.
What is Gemini’s “Temporary Chat”?
Originally introduced in late 2025 as a “privacy blanket,” Temporary Chat allows users to have one-off conversations that are intentionally isolated from their broader AI profile.
- No History: Conversations held in this mode do not appear in your “Recent Chats” or Gemini Apps Activity.
- No Training: Google states that these interactions are not used to train its AI models or to personalize your future Gemini experience.
- 72-Hour Buffer: While invisible to you, Google retains the data for up to 72 hours purely for safety monitoring and processing any optional feedback before it is permanently deleted.
The New Design: What’s Changing?
The current test aims to reduce the “friction” of staying private. Previously, users had to open the side menu and find a small icon next to “New Chat.”
| Feature | Old Method (Sidebar) | New Test (Homepage) |
| Placement | Hidden in Navigation Drawer | Directly next to Profile Avatar |
| Visual Cue | Small dotted icon | Larger, prominent chat bubble |
| State Indicator | Subtle text change | Pale blue highlight + “Ask in a temporary chat” placeholder |
| Entry Point | Two-tap process | Single-tap “Incognito” entry |
Why the Shift to Privacy Now?
The timing of this test (March 2026) coincides with the broad rollout of “Personal Intelligence”—a feature that allows Gemini to proactively use your Gmail, Photos, and Search history to provide tailored answers.
As Gemini becomes “closer” to the user, Google is providing an “Incognito-style” escape hatch for:
- Sensitive Queries: Medical or financial questions you don’t want “remembered” in your long-term profile.
- One-off Tasks: Brainstorming a random idea that is outside your usual style or professional context.
- Shared Devices: Ensuring a quick query on a friend’s phone doesn’t influence their future AI recommendations.
Availability
As of March 20, 2026, the new homepage button is in limited A/B testing. It has appeared for a small percentage of Android and Web users globally. If the test proves successful in increasing privacy-mode engagement, a wider rollout is expected as part of the April 2026 Gemini Update.
