Google AI Plus and free users are losing access to Gemini models, and it's happening very soon

Published Oct 3, 2026, 1:56 AM EDT Simon is a Computer Science BSc graduate who has been writing about technology since 2014, and using Windows machines since 3.1. After working for an indie game studio and acting as the family's go-to technician for all computer issues, he found his passion for writing and decided to use his skill set to write about all things tech. Since beginning his writing career, he has written for many different publications such as WorldStart, Listverse, and MakeTechEasier. However, after finding his home at MakeUseOf in February 2019, he would eventually move on to its sister site, XDA, to bring the latest and greatest in Windows, Linux, and DIY electronics. Sign in to your XDA account Summary Google AI Plus will lose Gemini Pro access in October, with emails going out detailing when it'll happen. Free users lose Flash on Oct 9; Plus keeps Flash and Flash-Lite but loses Pro access. AI Pro and Ultra still have Pro; I’m considering switching to rivals since Pro was key for me. About three months ago, Google offered me a deal for the Plus subscription tier where I got it at a ~75% discount for three months. It was a really good deal for improved storage space, more Gemini usage, and, the most important part for me, access to the Gemini Pro model. Unfortunately, Google has seemingly decided that the Plus subscription tier is too much of a good thing, as it's losing Pro access later this month alongside a restriction to the free tier. Google begins tightening the restrictions on the lower subscription tiers for Google AI The bottom two tiers lose access to a model soon I first noticed this when I headed over to Google Gemini on the web. A notification popped up, informing me that I was losing access to the Google Gemini Pro model in the coming weeks. Clicking the included link took me to a page titled "Changes to Gemini model access and limits," which detailed what's happening later in October. On October 9th, free users will lose access to Flash, meaning they'll only have Flash-Lite. Meanwhile, the Google AI Plus subscription tier will lose the Pro model, but they'll still have Flash-Lite and Flash at their disposal. Google says Plus subscribers will receive an email detailing when they'll lose access to Pro. Every other subscription tier will see no changes. Here's the chart Google supplied to visualise the changes better: Gemini Model Google AI Plan Flash-Lite Flash Pro Without a plan ✓ ✗ ✗ AI Plus ✓ ✓ ✗ AI Pro ✓ ✓ ✓ AI Ultra ✓ ✓ ✓ Of course, if you use Google AI Plus, you still keep all the storage benefits and access to Flash, but I must admit that the Pro model was a big reason why I kept my subscription. Maybe it's time I checked out what the rivals are doing.