Google has officially launched Guided Vision, a new accessibility tool integrated into Gemini Live for Android. The feature provides real-time audio descriptions of objects, text, and room layouts captured by the smartphone camera, specifically designed for users who are blind or have low vision.
The tool went live on October 1, 2026, for devices running Android 9 or later. It includes proactive voice coaching to help users correctly frame items within the camera view. Users can access the function through Gemini app settings, Android accessibility shortcuts, or the TalkBack screen reader.
Development of the feature began around July 2026, with a preview released in the September 2026 Android Drop. Google collaborated with members of the blind and low-vision communities to build the tool, which utilizes camera-sharing capabilities first expanded in 2025.
Google explicitly states that Guided Vision is not intended for mobility assistance or obstacle avoidance. The release places Google in direct competition with Apple, which offers similar functionality through VoiceOver Live Recognition on iPhone and Vision Pro devices.
