Google is rolling out a new quick-reply control in Gemini that lets users skip lengthy reasoning and get a fast answer. The feature appears on Android as “Answer Now” and on iOS as “Skip,” and it’s designed for moments when speed matters more than depth.
The button shows up when you’re using Gemini’s advanced modes — Pro or Think — and appears next to the send icon while the model is composing a reply. Tap it and Gemini warns that it will bypass deeper analysis in favor of a quicker, more concise response.
How it works and where it’s showing up
The new control replaces the older “Skip” button on Android and has already appeared on some devices. PhoneArena reported sightings on a Pixel 6 Pro running Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 and an iPhone 15 Pro Max on iOS 26.3 Beta 2. On iOS the label still reads “Skip,” but the behavior is identical to Android’s “Answer Now.”
After a quick reply is delivered, users can inspect which mode Gemini used by opening the three-dot menu at the end of the message. That transparency helps explain why some answers arrive in a few seconds while others take longer.
Enabling the modes that surface the button
To see the quick-reply control you must be in either Pro or Think mode. Those modes are selected from the bottom bar of the Gemini app, immediately to the left of the microphone icon. If you see a “Quick” option there, tap it to switch modes.
Google divides Gemini’s behavior into three modes: Quick, which responds immediately by default; Think, for more complex reasoning; and Pro, intended for demanding tasks like programming or advanced math. The new button lets you stay in Pro or Think and invoke a fast answer on demand, avoiding constant mode switching.
Why this matters?
Having an on-demand toggle between speed and depth reflects how people actually use AI assistants today. Quick answers are essential for many real-world tasks, while deeper reasoning remains useful for complex problems.
In professional settings, getting a rapid response can shave minutes off development or decision cycles. Students and casual users can also benefit from quick clarifications without waiting for long-form explanations.
What’s next for AI assistants?
As AI continues to evolve, features like Answer Now are likely to appear on more platforms. Personalization and adaptiveness will be key, with developers balancing immediacy against analytic depth so users receive the right kind of answer at the right time.
Gemini’s Answer Now is a practical step toward that future, giving users more control over how the assistant responds and when it dives into deeper reasoning.
