Google's Gemini app is preparing to retire Gems in favor of skills, according to 9to5Google. A notice spotted at the top of the Gems manager reads: "Gems will become skills starting Nov 17, 2026."
The change matters because Gems, introduced in 2024 as custom versions of Gemini, are used by many people to save instructions and context for repeated tasks. Google says it will start automatically migrating existing Gems to skills on November 17, 2026, and users can keep using their Gems until they move over.
What are skills in the Gemini app?
Skills first appeared with Gemini Spark, and at a high level they do the same job as Gems: they let you give Gemini custom instructions. According to 9to5Google, skills are summoned more easily with a slash (/) in the prompt box, and several skills can be active at the same time.
Gems go further in some ways: they can set a default tool such as Create image or Canvas, carry specific files for context, and be shared with other people through links. The new slash-based access is seen as an improvement over opening the side panel, scrolling to "My Gems" and picking one.
The rollout may have arrived slightly early. The "Learn more" help article and the "Create skills" button were not working yet, 9to5Google reports. Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers can already build skills by switching to the Gemini Spark tab.
- Gems become skills starting November 17, 2026
- Existing Gems will be migrated automatically, and remain usable until then
- Skills are invoked with a / in the prompt box, and several can be combined
