Nano Banana AI could soon transform your photos into memes in Google Messages

Google is testing its Nano Banana AI in Messages, letting users edit photos and create custom memes directly within chat threads soon.

Google is preparing to bring its Nano Banana AI image tool to the Messages app, according to discoveries in the app’s code and a hidden banana-shaped button spotted by Android Police. The feature will allow users to edit images and potentially generate new ones directly within message threads.

Google plans to bring its Nano Banana AI to Messages.

By MD Ijaj Khan

Ijaj Khan is a technology journalist and Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times, with over three years of experience covering the consumer technology industry. His work spans smartphones, laptops, wearables, gaming, appliances and AI - from hands-on reviews, comparison and buying guides to breaking news and in-depth features that help readers cut through the noise and make informed decisions. Before joining HT Tech, he worked with Jagran New Media, where he sharpened his instincts for fast-paced digital reporting. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in English Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi. Whether he's testing the latest flagship smartphone, tracking a major AI announcement, or putting a gaming laptop through its paces, Ijaj approaches every story with the same goal - making technology feel relevant and easy to understand for everyday users, not just enthusiasts. When he's not in front of a screen for work, he's usually travelling to a new city, hunting for great food, or keeping tabs on what's next in tech before everyone else catches on.

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The dormant banana icon appears when an image is long-pressed in a chat. Its presence suggests that Google plans to integrate Nano Banana fully into Messages soon, following a broader rollout across its ecosystem. The AI tool is already available in Google’s NotebookLM and Search through Google Lens, and integration with Google Photos has been announced. Messages could be the next step, with further expansions likely.

How It Will Work

Nano Banana’s function within Messages is not fully clear. Its placement inside the toolbar after long-pressing an image indicates a focus on editing existing pictures rather than creating entirely new images from text prompts. Users may be able to apply filters, clean up images, or turn photos into memes using preset options or custom prompts. For instance, a blurry dinner photo could be transformed into a professional food shot, or a friend’s selfie could be turned into a humorous image featuring unexpected characters.

Google has emphasised its commitment to embedding Nano Banana and other AI tools across its platforms. The company reports that Nano Banana has already helped generate over five billion images. With Google Messages’ large user base, the AI tool could quickly reach millions of people and become one of the most widely used AI image generators.

However, Google faces competition from other tech companies integrating AI into messaging platforms. Meta AI offers image generation features in WhatsApp and Messenger, Apple provides custom emoji and AI-generated images in iMessage, and Snapchat has made AI tools a core part of its app experience.

Availability Timeline

The exact release date for Nano Banana in Messages has not been announced. Users can explore Google’s other Nano Banana-enabled tools in the meantime while waiting for the feature to appear in chat threads.