You do not need a paid plan to learn Gemini. This lesson uses the free app only. By the end you will have done a task that matters to you and you will know whether the free tier is enough — which is the only sensible basis for a subscription decision.
First 15 minutes
- 1
Sign in
Go to gemini.google.com and sign in with a personal Google account. Workspace accounts work too if your administrator has enabled Gemini. The mobile app is the same product; the web version is easier for file work.
- 2
Find the model picker
Near the prompt box there is a model or mode selector. On the free tier you will usually see a fast option and, depending on region and demand, a limited number of uses of a stronger one. Leave it on the fast default for now — that is the equivalent of Flash and it is fine for most tasks.
- 3
Upload a real file
Click the plus or attach icon and add a PDF, a spreadsheet export or a screenshot. Ask a specific question about it. This is where Gemini's multimodal design shows; most users never try it.
- 4
Check Gemini Apps Activity
Open the menu, go to Activity, and decide whether you want your conversations saved and used to improve Google's models. You can turn Gemini Apps Activity off or set auto-delete. This is the setting that matters for privacy; change it before you paste anything sensitive.
- 5
Look at connected apps
In settings you will find toggles for Google Workspace, Maps, YouTube and others. These let Gemini read your Gmail, Drive and Calendar on request. Leave off anything you do not need. On the free tier some connections are limited.
- 6
Try a Gem
Gems are saved system prompts — a reusable persona or task. Create one called "Plain English editor" with instructions to shorten and simplify text. It costs nothing and it is the fastest way to stop retyping the same instructions.
- 7
Do one real task
Pick something you would otherwise do by hand this week: summarise a contract, draft a reply, turn notes into a plan. Do it end to end. Note where the free tier slowed you down or refused.
Interface tour: what each feature costs
| Feature | What it does | Free tier | Cost note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model picker | Switches between fast and stronger models | Fast model; limited stronger uses | Paid plans unlock the top model with higher limits |
| File upload | Reads PDFs, images, spreadsheets, video | Yes, with limits | Large files use the long context; free is generous here |
| Deep Research | Multi-step web research producing a report | Limited | Heavy usage is a Pro feature; each run is expensive for Google, so limits are tight |
| Canvas | Side-by-side document or code editing | Yes | No extra cost |
| Gems | Saved custom instructions | Yes | Free; saves you tokens by not repeating context |
| Workspace extensions | Reads Gmail, Drive, Calendar | Partial | Full integration inside Docs and Gmail needs a paid plan |
Knowledge check
What is the cheapest way to stop retyping the same instructions in every Gemini chat?