Corrected: Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 is generally available in the Gemini API

GeminiNew modelConfirmed

Correction: Corrected 22 Oct 2026: Google has not announced a shutdown date for gemini-3.1-flash-image. An earlier version of this page said 29 October 2026, which was wrong.

Google released Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 (gemini-nano-banana-2.1) in the Gemini API as generally available.

Google calls it its latest high-efficiency image generation and conversational editing model.
It is an update to Nano Banana 2 (gemini-3.1-flash-image) that maintains Flash-level speed and cost efficiency while, Google says, improving visual quality, prompt adherence, multi-turn character consistency and text rendering, and adding wide and panoramic aspect ratios (1:4, 4:1, 1:8, 8:1) across 1K, 2K and 4K resolutions.
In the same note Google deprecated gemini-3.1-flash-image, with no shutdown date announced, and tells developers to migrate to gemini-nano-banana-2.1.

Who can use it: Gemini API developers. The release note covers the API only and does not say whether the model is in the Gemini app or give pricing.
When: Released October 6, 2026 in the Gemini API. Google deprecated the predecessor gemini-3.1-flash-image the same day, with no shutdown date announced.

Gemini API release notes · Gemini API model deprecations Announced 2026-10-06 · date only

Read the official announcement for access details. Availability can depend on your plan, region or workplace settings.