Google is redesigning Chrome’s iOS interface around Gemini. The company is testing a new layout internally called “Chrome Next IA,” where “IA” could mean “In-Page Assistant” or “Intelligent Assistant.” We spotted a redesign in Chrome beta for iOS that changes how Chrome handles navigation in Gemini.
Chrome for iOS currently uses a five‑button layout with Back, Forward, New Tab, Tabs, and the three‑dot menu.
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The experimental redesign replaces that setup with a simplified three‑button bar built around Gemini:
- Ask Gemini
- New Tab
- All Tabs
“Ask Gemini” takes the far‑left spot normally used for the Back button. The center button opens a new tab, while the right button opens the tab switcher and displays the current tab count.
Tapping “Ask Gemini” opens Gemini Live as an overlay while the webpage remains visible underneath. Instead of opening a separate page or app, Gemini stays available on top of the current tab.
With Gemini moved into the lower toolbar, traditional navigation controls shift to the top header. In the redesigned layout, Back and Forward appear beside the address bar on the top‑left, while the three‑dot menu and other controls move to the top‑right.
Currently, Chrome for iOS places a Gemini shortcut inside the left side of the address bar. The redesign moves that shortcut lower on the screen and replaces the traditional Back button position with “Ask Gemini.”
From what we’ve seen in beta, Chrome no longer treats Gemini as a separate destination or optional shortcut. Instead, Gemini now occupies one of Chrome’s main navigation spots on iPhone.
This layout is still experimental and may not reach all users. Google is still testing this design internally, and it may not appear in Chrome’s stable release.
If Google rolls out this design soon, users will need to adjust to moving navigation from the bottom bar to the top header. How are you planning to adapt to this change in Chrome for iPhone? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
If they are going to force Gemini down my throat I may drop chrome from my iDevices entirely.