In late August, Google unveiled the Nano Banana image generator, which has surged in popularity thanks to word of mouth. Officially referred to as Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, it swiftly climbed to the top of the LMArena AI leaderboard under its Nano Banana code name before its formal release in Google’s Gemini AI chatbot and application.
The buzz surrounding Nano Banana has catapulted Gemini to the upper echelons of the App Store rankings, with notable success on Google Play as well. The fascination with this generative AI image model derives from its functionality as an image editor. While it may not be the leading AI image generator, it truly excels in editing images using natural language commands. Users can direct Gemini on how to modify images, a feature that has been available for several months, but Nano Banana introduces additional capabilities. Users can upload multiple images to merge them or submit a photo of themselves to produce headshots, sports cards, or add new elements.
It stands out as an exceptional image editor and generator, and here’s how to utilize it.
**How to use Google Nano Banana**
For desktop users, the most straightforward method to experiment with Nano Banana is through Google AI Studio, a complimentary platform for testing Google’s latest AI tools. Log into or create a Google account and sign up for Google AI Studio. Once registered, you can begin uploading, generating, and editing images.
On mobile, install the Google Gemini app on Android or iOS. After logging in, launch the app and initiate a new chat. Look for the “Create Image” option marked with a banana icon, tap it, and enter prompts or upload an image.
If you experience access difficulties, ensure you’re logged into your Google account and have registered for Google AI Studio. The free version offers limited usage for testing before necessitating a Google AI Pro membership, with a free trial available. You can also access Nano Banana via the browser version of Gemini or compare it to other models at LMArena.
**How to generate an image with Nano Banana**
Creating an image in Nano Banana involves typing a request and allowing the AI to process it. Here’s how to begin:
**Google AI Studio**
1. Visit Google AI Studio or Gemini.
2. Choose “Try Nano Banana.”
3. Input your prompt in the text box.
4. Click “Run.”
5. Nano Banana will produce the requested image.
6. Insert additional prompts to edit or modify the image.
**Google Gemini app**
1. Launch the Google Gemini app.
2. Tap “Create Image” featuring a banana icon or click the + icon to upload an image.
3. Type your prompt into the text box.
4. Press the send button.
5. Nano Banana will create the requested image.
Images typically generate within 10 to 15 seconds, depending on the complexity of the prompt. Modify your prompt if the results are not as anticipated.
**How to edit images with Nano Banana**
This process is quite similar, with an extra step to upload the media intended for editing.
**Google AI Studio**
1. Access Nano Banana.
2. Click the plus button on the right side of the text box.
3. Select media from Google Drive, upload a file, capture a photo, or use sample media.
4. Upload your image to Nano Banana.
5. Use the text box to request edits or changes.
**Google Gemini app**
1. Follow the steps to initiate a chat for image creation.
2. Press the plus button in the bottom left corner.
3. Choose media from your camera, gallery, file explorer, or Google Drive.
4. Upload images in the chat window.
5. Enter instructions for Nano Banana to modify the image(s).
Specificity is essential for merging images into one.
**How to achieve the best results with Nano Banana: Be specific**
Nano Banana generally performs admirably but has some constraints. For example, it successfully adapted a hand holding BBQ spice rub into an image of a backyard bonfire but did not darken the hand to match the lighting. To prevent confusion, craft prompts with precision. Google offers documentation for optimizing the use of Nano Banana.
For optimal results, Google recommends being specific and detailed: “Describe the scene, don’t just list keywords.” A narrative, descriptive paragraph is likely to produce better images than a mere list of words. For photorealistic images, incorporate photography-related terminology such as camera angles, lens types, and lighting concepts.