How to check out Google’s scorching new Nano Banana picture generator

Google launched the Nano Banana picture generator in late August, and it has been constructing momentum by way of phrase of mouth ever since. The new mannequin, formally dubbed Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, truly shot to the highest of the LMArena AI leaderboard below its Nano Banana code identify earlier than Google formally rolled it out in its Gemini AI chatbot and app.

Users have been so excited to attempt Nano Banana that Gemini now tops the App Store charts, and it’s not far behind on Google Play. Why is there a lot curiosity on this generative AI picture mannequin?

Nano Banana is a strong picture maker (although not the finest AI picture generator, in response to our assessments); nevertheless, it actually shines as an AI picture editor. Using pure language instructions, you’ll be able to inform Gemini precisely edit your picture. This isn’t precisely new, as Gemini has been in a position to do that for months, however Nano Banana provides further performance. For occasion, you’ll be able to add a number of photographs and have Gemini mix them right into a single picture. You also can add a photograph of your self, and utilizing Nano Banana, have Gemini generate headshots, sports activities playing cards, or add new particulars to your authentic photograph.

Left:
Google offered this instance when saying Nano Banana.
Credit: Google

Right:
Credit: Google

Left:
Our tech editor offered these earlier than and after photographs after giving Nano Banana a shot.
Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

Right:
Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

In any case, it is a powerful picture editor (and generator), and right here’s how you should use it. 

How to make use of Google Nano Banana

The simplest way for individuals on a pc to play with Nano Banana is to move to Google AI Studio.

Google AI Studio is the corporate’s free playground for customers who wish to attempt its newest AI instruments. (It’s a good way to attempt AI instruments earlier than Google locks them behind a paywall.) To get began, merely log into (or create) your Google account after which opt in to Google AI Studio. If you are already signed up for Google AI Studio, you’ll be able to go straight in and begin importing, producing, and modifying photographs.

On cellular, it’s equally easy. Download the Google Gemini app on Android or iOS. Once you’ve got logged in, open the app and begin a brand new chat. Look for the choice to Create Image with a banana icon. Tap that and begin coming into prompts or add a picture of your individual.

Please be aware: If you are having bother accessing Nano Banana, then you might have to register to your Google account and/or join Google AI Studio first.

Those are the 2 best strategies if you wish to attempt Nano Banana proper now. Per Google, the free model has a restricted variety of makes use of “for testing purposes” earlier than you could have to enroll in a Google AI Pro membership (a free trial is obtainable), so make your utilization depend. You also can entry Nano Banana within the browser version of Gemini or take a look at it in opposition to different fashions at LMAerna

How to generate a picture with Nano Banana

Generating a picture in Nano Banana is similar as producing a picture on every other picture generator. You kind in your request and permit the AI to do its factor. Here’s get began:

Google AI Studio

Credit: Joe Hindy

• Go to Google AI Studio (or Gemini).

• Select the Try Nano Banana possibility. 

• In the given textual content field, kind in your immediate. 

• Once completed, hit Run. 

• After a while, Nano Banana will generate the picture you requested. 

• Enter further prompts to edit or alter the picture.

Google Gemini app

Look for the banana icon within the Gemini app.
Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

• Open the Google Gemini app

• On the primary display screen that hundreds, you must see the choice to Create Image with a banana icon. Tap it or hit the + icon and add a picture of your individual.

• In the textual content field, kind your immediate. 

• Once completed, hit the ship button. 

• Again, Nano Banana will take a while after which generate the picture you needed. 

In testing, photographs tended to generate in about 10 to fifteen seconds, relying on the immediate. If you are not getting the kind of outcomes you imagined, attempt altering your immediate.

How to edit photographs with Nano Banana

This is just about the identical course of, however with one additional step the place you add the media that you really want Nano Banana to edit.

Google AI Studio

• Load into Nano Banana utilizing the above directions. 

• This time, faucet the plus button on the proper facet of the textual content field.

• You can select the place to supply your media from. Your choices are Google Drive, importing a file, taking a photograph along with your webcam, and utilizing a bit of pattern media. 

• Once you choose your picture, it can add to Nano Banana. 

• From right here, you’ll be able to ask Nano Banana to edit or alter the picture the way you select utilizing the textual content field to kind in your prompts. 

Google Gemini app

Credit: Joe Hindy

Again, comply with the above steps to open a chat to create photographs. 

• Hit the plus button within the backside left nook. 

• You can select the place to supply your media. Your choices embrace your digital camera (taking an image), the gallery, the file browser, and Google Drive. 

• Once you choose your picture(s), they may add within the chat window. 

• Type what you need Nano Banana to do along with your picture(s) and the AI will do its finest to conform. 

During testing, I discovered this course of to be hit and miss. You should be very particular about what you need it to do if you wish to mix two photographs into one. 

How to get the most effective outcomes with Nano Banana: Be particular

Credit: Joe Hindy

For probably the most half, Nano Banana labored fairly nicely. However, it does have its limitations. For instance, I had it transpose my hand holding BBQ spice rub into an image of a yard bonfire. It did so with lovely outcomes. However, I requested it to darken my hand to match the lighting, and Nano Banana merely didn’t do it, displaying me the identical picture once more. So, should you give it a attempt, be sure to make your prompts as particular as potential to keep away from mixups, and it’s in any other case a number of enjoyable to play with. 

Google additionally has documentation for making the most of Nano Banana.

To get the most effective outcomes, Google additionally recommends being particular and descriptive: “Describe the scene, don’t just list keywords. The model’s core strength is its deep language understanding. A narrative, descriptive paragraph will almost always produce a better, more coherent image than a list of disconnected words.”

For occasion, should you’re hoping to generate photorealistic photographs, then make sure to use a lot of phrases associated to pictures, reminiscent of particular digital camera angles, lens or movie varieties, and lighting concepts.