Gemini App Updates Temporary Chat Icon To Pencil Outline

At a glance:

• Gemini app’s Temporary Chat icon changed to a small oval with a pencil outline
• The new icon appears in the top-right corner of a new chat on mobile
• Tapping the icon shows the original dotted chat icon with a description of Temporary Chat

What Happened

The Gemini app’s Temporary Chat icon has suddenly changed to something that screams “temporary” far less. Temporary Chat acts much the same as Incognito Mode, but for conversations with Gemini. The icon has remained the same design — a small chat icon outlined in a dotted line — and it has moved places and even disappeared entirely, but it has looked the same since it was first launched.

But now, it looks completely different. A server-side update looks to have switched out the familiar Temporary Chat icon. The new icon looks like a small oval with a pencil sticking out of it. It lives in the same place — in the top-right corner of a new chat. When tapped, the original icon appears in the middle of the page along with a description of what the Temporary Chat is for. The icon at the top is highlighted blue, just like before.

Details Of The Update

The new Temporary Chat icon in Gemini doesn’t seem final, and if it is, it’s possible it’s appeared out of nowhere due to a bug. Only the mobile app looks to be adjusted. It does seem to fit the identity of the Gemini app a bit more with its rounded appearance, much like the text box and options at the bottom. Still, the dotted chat icon was immediately recognizable, even if a little boxy.

There appears to be nothing different about the Gemini app as a whole. Notebooks are still visible in the menu sidebar, and the UI looks to be intact. There seems to be no official word on the new icon. It’s a small tweak, but it can certainly be a little disconcerting if you’re looking for the Temporary Chat in a hurry.

Context And Precedent

Incognito-like modes in conversational AI apps often borrow visual cues from browsers and messaging platforms to signal privacy. The shift from a dotted-line chat bubble to a pencil-outline icon aligns with a broader trend of using more active, creation-focused symbols to differentiate temporary sessions. This kind of subtle UI change usually rolls out via server-side flags, which explains why it appeared without a formal announcement.

What To Watch

Users should expect further refinements to the Temporary Chat icon as Gemini continues to align its identity with the broader app design language. If the change sticks, the dotted chat icon may become a legacy visual element. For now, the mobile app remains the primary surface for this update, and there is no indication that other parts of the UI or functionality will be affected.