Gemini AI Just Got a Major Upgrade — And It's Changing Everything
Imagine asking your phone's AI assistant to grab you a burrito from your favorite spot, or book you a ride to the airport — and it actually does it, without you ever opening a single app. That's not science fiction anymore. Google's Gemini AI has officially crossed into genuinely useful territory with its latest update, and the ability to book Uber rides and place DoorDash orders on your behalf is the headline feature everyone's talking about in early 2026.
This isn't just another incremental AI update. This is Gemini evolving from a smart chatbot into a true AI agent — one that can take real-world actions on your behalf. If you've been waiting for AI assistants to actually do things rather than just tell you about them, your wait is over. Let's break down exactly how it works, what you can do right now, and what it means for the future of how we interact with our phones.
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What Exactly Can Gemini Do Now?
Google has been building toward what it calls "agentic AI" — AI that doesn't just answer questions but completes tasks. With this latest update, Gemini can now interface directly with third-party apps installed on your Android device. Here's what's currently supported and confirmed:
- Uber: Request a ride, choose your vehicle type, confirm the pickup location, and have a driver on the way — all through a conversation with Gemini
- DoorDash: Browse restaurant options, add items to your cart, and place a food delivery order without ever opening the DoorDash app
- More apps coming: Google has signaled that additional third-party integrations are actively in development
The key here is that Gemini isn't just launching these apps for you. It's using Google's Android AI Core infrastructure to interact with app interfaces and APIs on your behalf — actually completing multi-step tasks in a way that previous voice assistants simply couldn't manage.
How to Set Up Gemini for App Actions: Step-by-Step
Getting started is straightforward, but you'll need to make sure a few things are in place first.
Step 1: Check Your Gemini Version Make sure you're running the latest version of the Gemini app on your Android device. Open the Google Play Store, search for "Google Gemini," and hit update if one is available. The app-action features require the most recent build.
Step 2: Enable App Actions in Settings
- Open the Gemini app
- Tap your profile icon in the top right
- Go to Settings → Extensions (or "App Connections" depending on your build)
- Toggle on the apps you want Gemini to be able to access — including Uber and DoorDash
- You may be prompted to grant additional permissions — approve these to allow full functionality
Step 3: Make Sure Target Apps Are Installed and Logged In Gemini can only interact with apps that are already installed on your device and where you're already signed into your account. Make sure your Uber and DoorDash accounts are active and your payment methods are saved.
Step 4: Start a Conversation Just open Gemini and talk to it naturally. You don't need special commands. Try something like:
- "Order me a large pepperoni pizza from the nearest pizza place on DoorDash"
- "Book me an UberX to [your destination address]"
- "What's the estimated wait time for an Uber right now?"
Gemini will walk you through the process, confirm details with you before completing any transaction, and let you review the order before anything is actually charged.
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What Makes This Different From Google Assistant?
If you've been using Android for years, you might be wondering — didn't Google Assistant already do some of this? Sort of, but not really. The difference is significant.
Google Assistant relied heavily on pre-built integrations and voice commands that had to match specific trigger phrases. It could open Uber, but it couldn't navigate the booking flow, handle edge cases, or understand nuanced requests.
Gemini, by contrast, uses a large language model foundation combined with real-time reasoning. This means:
- It understands natural language — you don't need to memorize commands
- It can handle back-and-forth clarification — if your request is vague, it asks follow-up questions
- It processes context — if you've been chatting about going to a concert, it can infer where you might need a ride to
- It can explain its actions — Gemini will tell you what it's doing before it does it, keeping you in control
This is a fundamentally different approach, and for everyday users, the practical difference is night and day.
Privacy and Safety: Should You Be Concerned?
Any time an AI gains the ability to take actions on your behalf — especially ones involving money — privacy and security questions are completely valid. Here's what we know:
Confirmation before action: Gemini requires your explicit confirmation before completing any transaction. It will show you the full order summary, cost, and relevant details before anything is processed.
No stored payment data: Gemini itself doesn't store your credit card or payment information. It interfaces with the payment systems already secured within Uber and DoorDash.
Permission controls: You can revoke Gemini's access to any specific app at any time through the Extensions settings. It's granular and reversible.
On-device processing: Google has emphasized that many of the AI inference processes run on-device using Android AI Core, reducing how much data needs to be sent to the cloud for routine interactions.
That said, anytime you grant an AI agent the ability to interact with apps on your behalf, you're extending a degree of trust. Read the permission prompts carefully and start with lower-stakes requests to get comfortable with how the system works.
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The Bigger Picture: AI Agents Are Here
What's happening with Gemini right now is part of a much larger shift in the AI landscape. 2026 is shaping up to be the year that AI agents go mainstream — systems that don't just generate text or answer questions, but take autonomous actions to complete tasks in the real world.
OpenAI's "Operator" feature, Anthropic's work on Claude-based agents, and now Google's Gemini app actions are all racing toward the same destination: an AI that functions less like a search engine and more like a capable personal assistant that can actually get things done.
For consumers, this means the friction between wanting something and getting it is about to shrink dramatically. For businesses like Uber and DoorDash, integrating with AI agents isn't optional anymore — it's becoming a core part of how customers will access their services.
For you, right now in early 2026, it means you can have your lunch ordered and your ride booked before you've even stood up from your desk. And that's genuinely cool.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Gemini's App Actions
- Be specific with addresses — Gemini handles exact addresses better than vague descriptions like "near me" when booking rides
- Use it for repeat orders — If you order the same thing regularly, Gemini can streamline the process dramatically
- Combine requests — You can ask Gemini to order food AND book a ride in the same conversation when you're heading somewhere
- Check the summary — Always review the confirmation screen Gemini shows you before approving; it's there for a reason
- Keep apps updated — The integrations work best when both Gemini and the target apps are running the latest versions
The bottom line? Google's Gemini has taken a meaningful leap forward with these real-world app actions. Whether you're ordering dinner on a busy weeknight or grabbing a last-minute ride, having an AI that can actually handle the task for you — reliably, transparently, and securely — is the kind of practical upgrade that changes daily habits. Give it a try and see how quickly it becomes indispensable.
FAQ
What phones support Gemini app actions for Uber and DoorDash? Gemini's app action features are available on Android devices running Android 10 or later with the latest Gemini app installed. Pixel phones and Samsung Galaxy devices tend to receive these features first, but most modern Android phones are compatible as long as the app is updated.
Does Gemini automatically charge me when I order food or a ride? No — Gemini will always show you a confirmation screen with full order details, cost, and estimated times before completing any transaction. You must explicitly approve the order before anything is charged to your account.
Can Gemini use DoorDash and Uber if I'm on an iPhone? Currently, Gemini's agentic app-action capabilities — including DoorDash and Uber booking — are limited to Android. iPhone users can use the Gemini app for conversation and information, but deep third-party app integrations rely on Android's AI Core infrastructure, which isn't available on iOS.
Is Gemini's app access secure? Gemini uses the permission systems already built into Android, meaning you grant and revoke access on a per-app basis. It doesn't store your payment information — it uses the accounts and payment methods you've already set up within Uber and DoorDash. You can disable app connections at any time in Gemini's settings.
What other apps will Gemini be able to control in the future? Google has confirmed that more third-party app integrations are in development, with productivity tools, travel booking, and shopping platforms reportedly among the next categories to be added. Expect the list of supported apps to grow significantly throughout 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What phones support Gemini app actions for Uber and DoorDash?
Gemini's app action features are available on Android devices running Android 10 or later with the latest Gemini app installed. Pixel phones and Samsung Galaxy devices tend to receive these features first, but most modern Android phones are compatible as long as the app is updated.
Does Gemini automatically charge me when I order food or a ride?
No — Gemini will always show you a confirmation screen with full order details, cost, and estimated times before completing any transaction. You must explicitly approve the order before anything is charged to your account.
Can Gemini use DoorDash and Uber if I'm on an iPhone?
Currently, Gemini's agentic app-action capabilities — including DoorDash and Uber booking — are limited to Android. iPhone users can use the Gemini app for conversation and information, but deep third-party app integrations rely on Android's AI Core infrastructure, which isn't available on iOS.
Is Gemini's app access secure?
Gemini uses the permission systems already built into Android, meaning you grant and revoke access on a per-app basis. It doesn't store your payment information — it uses the accounts and payment methods you've already set up within Uber and DoorDash. You can disable app connections at any time in Gemini's settings.
What other apps will Gemini be able to control in the future?
Google has confirmed that more third-party app integrations are in development, with productivity tools, travel booking, and shopping platforms reportedly among the next categories to be added. Expect the list of supported apps to grow significantly throughout 2026.
