How to use Nano Banana and get started with Gemini's new AI image editing model

1. Sign in

To use Nano Banana, you’ll first want to sign in to Gemini. If you’re already a user of Google products like Gmail and Docs, then you can use your existing Google Account to log in. If you’re new to Google, just create a free account.

2. Enable Nano Banana

Once you’ve made your way to Gemini, you’re likely to be nudged about the Nano Banana model since it’s still relatively new. Either click on the link provided or hit create images in the tools section to dive straight into the AI image action.

3. Create your first image

While the excitement around Nano Banana has primarily been about its image editing capabilities (we’ll get to these below) you can still use the latest image model from Google DeepMind to create AI images. Simply type in your prompt and hit enter.

For this example, I used Nano Banana to generate an image of a swan gracefully gliding across a lake with two baby swans in tow.

4. Refine your image

If you’re not quite happy with the result, you can suggest refinements to the image you created. The more specific you are in your prompt, the better Gemini can create images that reflect your vision.

Simply state what refinements you’d like to see and hit enter. In the example above, I switched it to a night scene.

5. Editing your image

Nano Banana’s main selling point is its image editing capabilities. To try them out yourself, upload an image that you generated using AI or upload one you took with your camera or phone. You do this by clicking the plus symbol.

6. Describe the edits

After you’ve selected your starting image, specify the edits you’d like Nano Banana to make using your text-based prompt. You don’t need to be familiar with photography jargon, simply describe what you’d like to see differently as if you were chatting with a friend.

For this example, I uploaded my headshot and requested that Nano Banana dress me in a suit while having me stand in front of a window that overlooks the Brooklyn Bridge.

7. Change your background

Nano banana is also specifically designed to change the background in a photo. To use this feature, select the photo you want to edit and describe any background changes you’d like.

I used the prompt: Use the image you generated of me in front of the Brooklyn Bridge. Keep everything exactly the same, but put me inside an antique library instead.

8. Mix and match

Nano Banana is a great tool to use when you’d like to combine two photos together. Similar as to when you’re editing a photo, the way to do this is to upload the photos you’d like to blend together and describe the new scene you’d like to create.

To show you how it’s done, I uploaded a photo of an old lamp to Nano Banana. I then asked it to replace a book that’s lying on a table with said lamp.

9. Multi editing

Using Nano Banana you could also make progressive edits to subsequent images you create.

Say you started out by adding a tree to an empty field. You can then ask for a tent to be included in the next version. Repeat this process until you’re happy with the final result.

10. Applying patterns

Allow yourself to be inspired by patterns you spot around you and incorporate them into your next design. Upload an image showing the pattern and ask Nano Banana to apply it to an object of your choice.

For this example, I asked Nano Banana to create a t-shirt inspired by a peacock's feathers.