As previewed at I/O 2026, Gemini for macOS now supports Gemini Spark. This is the first of two big desktop app updates coming this summer, with the other being a new voice experience.
Gemini Spark is Google’s 24/7 personal AI agent. To date, it has worked by using a remote browser and cloud computer with code execution capabilities.
Gemini’s desktop app allows Spark to “help with tasks involving your local files and automate workflows across your desktop.” Specific examples include organizing folders, using local files to build documents, and handling “complex workflows across Google Workspace.”
- “For example, you can turn hours of manual file sorting into an instant action by asking Gemini Spark to sort all the PDFs in your Downloads into specific folders.”
- “Gemini Spark also connects your desktop and Google Workspace, so you can simply ask it to create a budget spreadsheet using the latest invoices saved to your computer, and create a schedule to update it regularly.”
After installing version 1.80.15.516, you’ll find a new “Spark” top tab in the sidebar, just like on the web. You can select what local “Connected folders” Gemini Spark can access. For example:
Organize my connected folders. Scan my unorganized files, group them by type or context, and archive the clutter into a clean folder structure. Please show me your organization plan first and ask for my input on where to move them.
You can unlink Connected folders at any time from the sidebar. The macOS support also lets you customize existing Schedules and Skills.
In Settings, a new Gemini Spark menu lets you control:
- Keep this Mac awake to run tasks: Prevents sleep while the Gemini macOS app is open
- Alert when a backup fails: Gemini asks for approval before continuing a task when it is unable to back up a file in a connected folder
The latter is enabled by default.
You’ll also find a new Usage limits page here. It can be quickly accessed from the account menu in the bottom-left corner. That item previously opened gemini.google.com/usage in your browser.
Gemini 1.80.x is rolling out now via the built-in updater system. Gemini Spark requires a Google AI Ultra ($99+ per month) subscription.
A future desktop update to Gemini Spark will let you “run tasks or access local files on your Mac directly from the web or mobile app.” This is “coming soon.”
You can assign a multi-step task to Gemini Spark from your phone — like asking it to find a specific sales report on your Mac, pull the total revenue number, and email it to you — and let it execute the work on your computer while you’re away.
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