Google’s new Simplify feature on iOS uses Gemini AI to rewrite complex text on web pages into easier-to-read versions without leaving the Google app.

Google’s new “Simplify” feature in the iOS Google app uses Gemini AI to help users understand complex or technical language found on websites. With just a tap, users can turn dense paragraphs into more digestible text without leaving the Google app.

What is Google’s new Simplify feature on iOS?

In early May 2025, Google quietly rolled out a new AI-driven tool called Simplify in its Google app for iOS. Designed to assist users in decoding dense or technical web content, Simplify transforms complicated text into more digestible versions without removing key information.

Unlike summarization (which may skip over details) or explanation tools (which often add new content), Simplify preserves the original meaning while rephrasing complex structures into clearer, more readable language.

How Does It Work on iPhone?

The Simplify feature is integrated directly into the Google app for iOS. To use it, simply:

  1. Highlight any complex paragraph on a webpage within the Google app.
  2. Tap the “Simplify” icon that appears.
  3. A pop-up window will display the AI-simplified version of the selected text.
  4. Close the pop-up when done, returning to the original page.

As of May 6, 2025, the feature is exclusive to iOS. While Google hasn’t announced a launch date for Android or desktop Chrome, they noted: “We’re always looking to bring helpful features to more of our products.”

The simplified text appears in a pop-up that can be closed anytime. (GIF: Google)

Built on Gemini AI: The Technology Behind Simplify

The core of Simplify is Gemini, Google’s powerful large language model. This feature was developed by Google Research, using a novel automated prompt-tuning system that underwent 824 iterations to find optimal simplification strategies.

The process includes:

  • Evaluating readability and factual consistency.
  • Generating refined prompts.
  • Testing results for clarity across different domains like finance, law, and medicine.

This automated loop enables Google to scale simplification intelligently, reducing human effort while maximizing efficiency and precision.

Does Simplify Actually Work? What the Research Says

Google conducted a large-scale randomized study with over 4,500 participants and 31 real-world, high-density web passages. Key findings:

  • 4% increase in multiple-choice accuracy compared to reading original texts.
  • Up to 15% improvement for highly technical texts.
  • Fields like finance (6%), law (4%), and engineering (4%) showed the most improvement.
  • Users reported higher confidence and said the task felt easier when using Simplify.

Beyond the numbers, participants said the tool helped define jargon and clarify complex relationships, making tough material more approachable, even when read only once.

Google’s iterative process for simplifying text using AI evaluations and prompt refinement
Google uses an iterative AI loop to ensure simplified text is accurate, complete, and easy to understand. (IMAGE: Google)

Limitations and Considerations

While results are promising, Simplify isn’t flawless:

  • The participant pool came from online survey platforms, not necessarily power users.
  • As with any LLM-based tool, factual hallucinations may occur.
  • Multiple-choice questions are a limited proxy for deep comprehension.

In short, while Simplify reduces cognitive load, it should be used as a complement, not a replacement for critical reading.

Conclusion

Google’s integration of AI into everyday tools marks a turning point in how we interact with online information. Instead of rewriting the web, tools like Simplify reshape how we experience it, bridging the gap between accessibility and accuracy.

For organizations innovating in AI, EdTech, or digital transformation, this represents an important signal:

“The future isn’t just about generating content, it’s about helping people understand it”.

From Orthian

At Orthian, we believe technology should empower not overwhelm, users. Google’s Simplify is a compelling example of how intelligent design + AI can make complex systems more human.

As a company focused on custom software, AI integration, and UX-first design, we continue to explore solutions that simplify the digital experience just like Simplify simplifies the web.

This article is compiled based on official updates and announcements from Google.

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