Google is testing a chat import feature for Gemini that could let users transfer conversation history from ChatGPT and other AI assistants. The "Import AI chats" tool appears in Gemini's web beta interface, positioned to reduce switching friction as Google's chatbot gains market share against OpenAI.
The feature was spotted in Gemini's attachment menu, according to reports from TestingCatalog and Android Central. Users would download their chat history from platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, or Grok, then upload the file directly into Gemini.
This file-based approach mirrors data migration tools for messaging apps but faces compatibility challenges since major AI platforms don't widely support standardized export formats.
Google's move targets the ecosystem lock-in that develops when users build months of context and preferences within a specific AI assistant. Long-term chatbot use creates deep personalization that's difficult to recreate from scratch, creating switching barriers similar to those between Android and iOS or different productivity suites.
Market data shows why Google wants to lower these barriers. ChatGPT's U.S. mobile market share fell below 50% for the first time earlier this year, dropping to 45.3% from 69.1% a year ago, according to Apptopia data obtained by Big Technology. Gemini climbed to 25.1% from 14.7% over the same period, while Grok surged from 1.6% to 15.2%.
On the web, Gemini visits jumped 647% from 267.7 million to two billion between January 2025 and January 2026, pulling Google's share of AI chatbot traffic from 5.3% to 22%. ChatGPT still dominates with 5.7 billion visits but saw its share slide from 86.6% to 64.6%, according to Similarweb data.
The import feature represents a strategic play in Google's broader distribution advantage. Gemini reaches 650 million monthly active users through deep integration with Android, Chrome, Workspace, and other Google products. Users encounter Gemini where they already work rather than seeking it out as a separate destination.
Apple's January deal to embed Gemini models as the backbone of Apple Intelligence will further accelerate this distribution. Samsung also expects to double Galaxy AI devices to 800 million units in 2026, with those features largely powered by Gemini. Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S26 series will contribute to this expansion.
Technical questions remain about the import tool's capabilities. It's unclear whether Gemini can fully absorb user preferences and context without errors, especially when imported data conflicts with existing settings. Memory functionality after transfer and supported file formats also need clarification.
The feature appears one-way for now. Users can bring chat history into Gemini but lack comparable tools to export from Gemini to competitors. This asymmetry could draw regulatory attention in the EU, where data portability rules have teeth.
OpenAI faces mounting pressure as its market lead compresses. The company declared "code red" internally on December 2, delaying advertising plans to focus resources on improving ChatGPT's core product, according to multiple reports. OpenAI also launched a standalone Codex app for Mac computers this week, opening it temporarily to free and low-cost Go subscribers.
Google's import tool targets both consumer and enterprise switching costs. Companies that built institutional knowledge inside ChatGPT Enterprise or Claude for Work face real migration challenges beyond simple file transfers. Security reviews, compliance certifications, and integration work create barriers that a basic import feature alone cannot overcome.
The chatbot market grew 152% over the past year while showing signs of flattening recently, according to Apptopia. Early adopters have picked their tools, and the next wave of users will likely choose based on whatever AI assistant already appears on their screens. That default positioning favors Google's integrated approach over OpenAI's destination model.
Google hasn't announced an official timeline for the import feature's release. Since it appears in beta testing, public availability could arrive within months. The company's broader strategy focuses on making AI assistance ambient rather than intentional, transforming Gemini from a product users seek into a layer that follows them everywhere they work.
