Google Opal Is Shutting Down: Save Your Mini-Apps and Move to Gemini or AI Studio

By Ravindra Bagale, trainer LinkedIn Published: 25 October 2026 Last updated: 25 October 2026 4 min read

Opal was a Google Labs tool for building small AI mini-apps without code; it reached India in October 2025. As of 25 October 2026, the official Opal FAQ says Opal shuts down on 17 November 2026. Your Opal files stay in Google Drive → My Drive → Opal. Google suggests moving simple prompt helpers to skills in Gemini and bigger apps to Google AI Studio. Copy every step’s prompt into a document now, before the date.

Suppose Ankita built an Opal app that turns product photos into Instagram captions for her saree shop in Nashik, and Leo in Lisbon built one that makes weekly lesson plans. Both open Opal, copy each step’s prompt into a Google Doc, then rebuild: Ankita as a Gemini skill, Leo as an AI Studio app.

See also Gemini Skills vs Custom GPTs, and Google AI Studio Build Mode.

What you will learn in this guide

What Opal was
The shutdown date
Where files are
Save prompts
Pick a new home

1. Why: do not lose your work

Mini-apps hold prompts you refined over weeks. After the shutdown you may not be able to open them in Opal, so save the logic now.

2. What: where to move

Your Opal app	Move it to
One prompt with fixed instructions	A skill in Gemini
Several steps, inputs and a UI	Google AI Studio Build mode
Team workflow with Google Workspace	Check Workspace options with your admin
Files	Stay in My Drive → Opal

Figure 1. Opal move in five steps: open each app, copy prompts, note inputs and outputs, rebuild, test.

3. How: save and rebuild

Open opal.google and list your apps.
For each step, copy the prompt text into a Google Doc.
Write down inputs (e.g. photo, topic) and outputs (e.g. caption).
Rebuild: simple ones as a Gemini skill; multi-step ones in AI Studio Build mode.
Test with three old inputs and compare results.

4. Source (25 Oct 2026)

developers.google.com/opal FAQ: shutdown 17 November 2026; files in My Drive → Opal; Gemini skills or AI Studio suggested.
Opal expanded to India on 7 October 2025 (Google blog).

5. Worked example 1: inventory doc (start here)

Make a Google Doc with this template per app:

App name:
What it does (one line):
Inputs:
Steps and prompts (copy each):
  1.
  2.
Output format:
Three test inputs:

Expected output (yours will be similar, not the same):

One filled page per Opal app.

6. Worked example 2: turn it into a Gemini skill

Combine steps into one instruction:

Role: You write Instagram captions for a saree shop.
Task: When I upload a product photo, describe the saree in one line,
then write 3 caption options under 25 words with 5 hashtags.
Rules: No prices unless I give them. Simple, warm English.

Expected output (yours will be similar, not the same):

3 captions with hashtags for the uploaded photo.

7. Worked example 3: ask AI Studio to rebuild an app

In AI Studio Build mode, paste:

Build a simple web app: user enters a subject and class level,
and the app returns a 5-day lesson plan table.
Use my prompt: [paste your Opal prompt].
Keep the API key on the server.

Expected output (yours will be similar, not the same):

A working preview app with an input box and a lesson-plan table.

Test the preview before publishing.

Names, amounts and companies in the examples are made up for practice.

8. Common mistakes

Mistake	Risk	Fix
Waiting until 17 Nov	Lose access	Save now
Copying only the first step	Broken rebuild	Copy all steps
Deleting the Drive Opal folder	Lose files	Keep it
Rebuilding a simple app as code	Extra work	Use a skill
Not testing	Different outputs	Compare 3 inputs

9. Try at home

Try at home

List your Opal apps.
Copy one app’s prompts.
Rebuild it as a Gemini skill.

Recap

In short

Opal shuts down on 17 Nov 2026.
Files stay in My Drive → Opal.
Copy every prompt now.
Simple → Gemini skill; complex → AI Studio.
Test with old inputs.

Save the prompts; the tool is replaceable.

Frequently asked questions

When does Opal shut down?

17 November 2026, per the official Opal FAQ.

Will my files be deleted?

The FAQ says Opal files remain in My Drive → Opal. Copy prompts into a document as well.

What replaces Opal?

Google points to skills in Gemini and Google AI Studio.

Is AI Studio free?

AI Studio has free usage; publishing and API use have limits and may need billing. Check its pricing page.