Samsung enables Gemini AI on older Galaxy Z Flip cover screens

Samsung has begun enabling Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence assistant on the external cover screens of older Galaxy Z Flip models, including the Z Flip 6 and Z Flip 5, as part of a broader One UI 8 rollout tied to Android 16, device owners and testers said. The change, reported in the past few days, lets users summon Gemini without opening the phone and brings most of the assistant’s functionality to the smaller cover display.

Owners who have gained access say Gemini can be activated on the cover screen via the voice prompt Hey Google or by adding the Gemini app to Samsung’s Good Lock launcher widget. Once active, the assistant accepts voice and text queries and supports Gemini Live, including streaming the phone’s camera feed for real-time assistance. Screen sharing is not available on the cover screen, and a long press of the power button still prompts users to open the phone rather than launching the assistant, a usability gap that could be addressed in future updates.

Samsung had introduced Gemini support on the cover displays of its newest foldables, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Z Flip 7 FE, at launch. Company communications previously indicated the feature would be...