GitHub Drops Gemini From Copilot on the Web in 2026

GitHub has narrowed the model menu in Copilot. On 20 May 2026 the company removed Google's Gemini models from Copilot Chat on the web, alongside a few other engines. OpenAI and Anthropic (Claude) models stay.

What changed

The change is specific. GitHub is "limiting the list of available models on github.com" — the web chat at github.com/copilot. Per the changelog, all Gemini models have been pulled from web chat, along with a handful of others such as GPT-5.2 Codex and GPT-5.4 nano.

What remains is still broad. OpenAI and Claude models "across price points" stay available across Copilot plans on the web. GitHub's stated reason is consistency: a tighter, recommended list rather than every model from every provider.

The scope matters. This is web chat only. The changelog frames it around github.com — it does not announce removals from Copilot inside your IDE or desktop editor. If you drive Copilot from VS Code or another editor, your model picker is not what this note is about.

It follows GitHub's late-April move on Copilot data policy and billing — the company has been tidying how Copilot is run, not just what it can do.

What it means for Australians

For an Australian developer, this is a small clip to flexibility, not a wall. If you used Gemini specifically inside Copilot's web chat — to compare an answer, or because you preferred its style — that option is gone on the web. You still have OpenAI and Claude models there, and your IDE setup is unaffected by this changelog.

There's no pricing change here, so no AUD or GST angle to flag. Copilot's plans and billing are unchanged by this note; only the web model list is shorter.

If Gemini is genuinely part of your workflow, you can still reach it through Google's own tools, or through Copilot in an editor where the wider model list lives. The web is now the leaner surface.

Does it change our recommendation

No. Copilot remains a serious coding assistant for Australian developers, and a shorter web model list does not move that. The engines most teams lean on — OpenAI and Claude — are still there, and the desktop and IDE experience carries on.

We have not published a full scored Copilot review yet. When we do, model breadth will be one input among several — value in AUD, ease of use, feature depth, Australian fit and reliability. See our methodology for how we weigh those. A trimmed web menu is worth noting; it is not worth switching over.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly did GitHub change?

On 20 May 2026 GitHub removed all of Google's Gemini models from Copilot Chat on the web (github.com/copilot), along with a few others such as GPT-5.2 Codex and GPT-5.4 nano. OpenAI and Claude models across price points stay.

Does this affect Copilot inside my IDE?

No. This is web chat only. The changelog frames it around github.com and doesn't announce removals from Copilot inside your IDE or desktop editor. If you drive Copilot from VS Code or another editor, your model picker is unaffected.

Is there any pricing change for Australians?

No. There's no pricing change here, so no AUD or GST angle to flag. Copilot's plans and billing are unchanged by this note — only the web model list is shorter.

Does it change our recommendation?

No. Copilot remains a serious coding assistant for Australian developers, and a shorter web model list doesn't move that. The engines most teams lean on — OpenAI and Claude — are still there. It's worth noting, not worth switching over.

Sources

• GitHub Changelog — Updates to available models in Copilot on web (Gemini and several models removed from web chat; OpenAI and Claude models retained; scope is github.com web chat): https://github.blog/changelog/2026-05-20-updates-to-available-models-in-copilot-on-web/ — Primary, checked 20 May 2026
• Wayback snapshot queued (SPN capture pending)

The AI Directory Australia is independent. We review and score AI tools for Australian users — AUD pricing, AU availability, data residency, GST. We don't write ads; affiliate links are disclosed and sponsored content is labelled. Edited by Adam.