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AI image generation

Imagen 4 Availability in 2026: What Happened to Google’s Image Generator?

Google lists Imagen 4’s standard, Ultra, and Fast Gemini API models as shut down on August 17, 2026, and recommends gemini-nano-banana-2.1 as their replacement. The API shutdown does not establish whether Imagen 4 remains available in other Google products.

By ThatPainter Team 5 min read
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Google lists Imagen 4’s Gemini API models—standard, Ultra, and Fast—as shut down on August 17, 2026. Its current deprecation schedule recommends gemini-nano-banana-2.1 as the replacement for those API model IDs. That shutdown does not by itself establish whether Imagen 4 is still available in the Gemini app, Whisk, Vertex AI, or Workspace; the sources reviewed here do not confirm the current status of those product surfaces.

What was Imagen 4?

Imagen 4 was Google’s high-fidelity image-generation model family. At its May 2025 launch, Google described it as capable of detailed, photorealistic and abstract images, multiple aspect ratios, up to 2K resolution, and improved spelling and typography. These are Google’s launch-era product claims, not independent comparative test results.

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Imagen was a dedicated image-generation model, distinct from Gemini’s native image-generation models. Google announced Imagen 4 availability in the Gemini app, Whisk, Vertex AI, and Workspace products in May 2025. That announcement is historical and does not establish that Imagen 4 remains available in each product today.

Google’s Imagen overview and Imagen 4 model card describe the model and its intended uses. Google’s launch announcement also said Imagen 4 outputs carry SynthID, a digital watermark.

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Imagen 4 API availability: the 2026 update

Google’s current Gemini API deprecation schedule lists all three Imagen 4 API model IDs as shut down on August 17, 2026:

API model ID Google’s listed status Recommended replacement
imagen-4.0-generate-001 Shut down August 17, 2026 gemini-nano-banana-2.1
imagen-4.0-ultra-generate-001 Shut down August 17, 2026 gemini-nano-banana-2.1
imagen-4.0-fast-generate-001 Shut down August 17, 2026 gemini-nano-banana-2.1

Because the listed shutdown date has passed, these API model IDs should be described as shut down, not merely scheduled for shutdown. Google’s schedule was last updated October 7, 2026. It does not explain why the models were retired.

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Google’s Imagen API guide also says Imagen models are deprecated and includes older migration instructions using gemini-2.5-flash-image. That differs from the newer deprecation schedule, which recommends gemini-nano-banana-2.1 for the three Imagen 4 model IDs. Prefer the newer schedule for current API model choice, and treat the guide’s instructions as older guidance.

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Can you still use Imagen 4 in Gemini, Whisk, Vertex AI, or Workspace?

Google announced Imagen 4 in the Gemini app, Whisk, Vertex AI, and Workspace products in May 2025. That launch announcement does not confirm availability in those products as of October 2026. The API shutdown schedule applies to Gemini API model IDs; it does not, by itself, show that Imagen 4 was removed from every other Google product on the same date.

If you need to know whether a particular surface still offers Imagen 4, check that product’s current interface or official documentation. If Gemini offers image generation but does not identify the model, describe it as Gemini image generation rather than assuming Imagen 4 powers it.

What Imagen 4 could do

Image generation and text

Imagen 4 generated images from text prompts. Google’s launch announcement highlighted detail, photorealistic and abstract styles, and improved spelling and typography. Those improvements did not guarantee correctly rendered text; for finished designs where exact wording matters, add typography separately in a design application.

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Historical API specifications

Google’s Imagen API documentation listed English-only prompts, a 480-token input prompt limit, and one to four generated images per request. It listed 1K or 2K image sizes for standard and Ultra models. These are historical API specifications, not usable service limits for the shut-down model IDs.

Google’s Imagen API guide says generated images include a SynthID watermark. Specific behavior and controls could vary by product and model version.

What should developers use instead?

For the shut-down Imagen 4 Gemini API model IDs, Google’s current deprecation schedule recommends gemini-nano-banana-2.1. Google’s older Imagen API guide instead shows migration instructions using gemini-2.5-flash-image; keep this distinction in mind when reading older tutorials.

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Before migrating, consult Google’s Imagen API documentation and the current API changelog. Do not assume a replacement has feature parity or accepts the same request parameters and response format as Imagen 4.

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How to migrate an old Imagen 4 integration

  1. Find the old model ID. Search code and configuration for an imagen-4.0- identifier.
  2. Check Google’s current deprecation schedule. Confirm the model status and its listed replacement.
  3. Review both migration references. The newer schedule recommends gemini-nano-banana-2.1; the older Imagen API guide contains instructions for gemini-2.5-flash-image.
  4. Update the model and request flow. Google’s older guide shows a change from client.models.generate_images to client.models.generate_content; verify the current requirements for your chosen model.
  5. Test before deploying. Check output behavior, supported controls, safety behavior, billing, and quota in the current documentation.
  6. Monitor the migration. Watch for errors and new model-lifecycle notices after deployment.

Is Google Flow a replacement for Imagen 4?

Not based on the sources reviewed here. Google’s current Flow page describes an AI creative studio with image and video creation and editing capabilities, but it does not establish that Flow uses Imagen 4 or that Google positions it as the direct successor to Imagen 4. Flow may be relevant to people looking for a creative tool, but it is not evidence of continued Imagen 4 API access.

FAQ

Did Google shut down Imagen 4?

Google lists the Imagen 4 standard, Ultra, and Fast Gemini API model IDs as shut down on August 17, 2026. The reviewed sources do not establish that every Google product surface using Imagen 4 ended at the same time.

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What replaced Imagen 4 in the Gemini API?

Google’s current deprecation schedule recommends gemini-nano-banana-2.1 for all three Imagen 4 API model IDs. An older Imagen API guide gives gemini-2.5-flash-image migration instructions, so consult the newer schedule for current model choice.

Can I still use Imagen 4 in the Gemini app?

The May 2025 launch announcement said Imagen 4 was available in the Gemini app, but that does not confirm current availability. Check the current Gemini interface or official product documentation rather than inferring app status from the API shutdown.

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Why did Google retire the Imagen 4 API models?

The Google sources reviewed here do not state a reason for the shutdown, so it would be speculative to give one.

Bottom line

Imagen 4 launched in 2025 and was announced for several Google products, but its three Gemini API model IDs are listed as shut down on August 17, 2026. Google’s current schedule recommends gemini-nano-banana-2.1 for those API IDs, while an older guide contains different migration instructions. The API shutdown does not settle current availability in Gemini, Whisk, Vertex AI, or Workspace; check each product’s current documentation or interface.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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