Google's Lyria 3 didn't arrive in one day — it arrived in waves, and if you missed a wave, the timeline gets confusing fast. Is Lyria 3 already out? Is Lyria 3 Pro the same thing? When did 3.5 actually ship, and is it available everywhere? This post lays out the exact release timeline with official dates, so you can tell where the model family stands today and what to expect next.
All dates below come from Google's official announcements, the DeepMind model cards, and release notes — with links in the Sources section so you can verify each one.
The Short Answer
- Lyria 3 (base, clip tier): launched February 18, 2026 inside the Gemini app.
- Lyria 3 Pro (full-song tier): announced March 25, 2026.
- Lyria 3.5: released July 29, 2026 in Google Flow Music, with its model card published the same day.
If you're choosing what to use today: Lyria 3 Pro is the broadly documented, widely available production model; Lyria 3.5 is the newest but currently the most limited in distribution (Flow Music only, per its model card).
The Complete Lyria Release Timeline
February 18, 2026 — Lyria 3 (base) launches in Gemini
Google rolled out base Lyria 3 inside the Gemini app, making AI music generation available to 18+ Gemini users for free. The base model generates short clips (up to ~30 seconds) — the sketch tier of the family. This was the first wide consumer release of Lyria 3.
March 25, 2026 — Lyria 3 Pro announced
Google announced Lyria 3 Pro, the production model for full songs: up to 3 minutes with intros, verses, choruses, and bridges, AI vocals in 8 languages, and inputs including text, your own lyrics, and up to 10 reference images. It expanded across surfaces: Gemini app, Google AI Studio / Gemini API, Vertex AI, Google Vids, YouTube Dream Track, and ProducerAI. This is the model most coverage refers to when they say "Lyria 3."
July 29, 2026 — Lyria 3.5 released in Google Flow Music
Google released Lyria 3.5, described as its "most capable music generation model to date," with improvements in musicality, lyrics, and vocal quality. Key caveat: its model card lists only one distribution channel — Google Flow Music. No API, no Vertex listing in the model card. If you read "Lyria 3.5 released" and assume it replaces Lyria 3 Pro everywhere, that's the gap this timeline clears up.
Lyria 3 vs Lyria 3 Pro vs Lyria 3.5: What Each Release Meant
| Release | Date | Tier | Max length | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lyria 3 (base) | Feb 18, 2026 | Clips | ~30 seconds | Gemini app |
| Lyria 3 Pro | Mar 25, 2026 | Full songs | Up to 3 minutes | Gemini app, API, Vertex AI, Vids, Dream Track, ProducerAI |
| Lyria 3.5 | Jul 29, 2026 | Newest model | Rolling out (verify) | Google Flow Music only (per model card) |
Rule of thumb: if you need a dependable, documented model with broad access today, build on Lyria 3 Pro. If you want the newest capability and don't mind working inside Flow Music while details firm up, watch Lyria 3.5. Most "what's the difference" confusion is really a timeline confusion — the models are at different stages of rollout.
Where Things Stand Today (August 2026)
- Lyria 3 Pro is the workhorse: documented specs (length, fidelity, languages, inputs), multiple access paths, and wide availability including credit-based studios.
- Lyria 3.5 is brand new and narrowing in distribution — Flow Music only per its model card — with several specs (length, sample rate, language count) not yet in the official documentation.
- Third-party access: Google's surfaces aren't the only way in. Credit-based studios run Lyria models pay-as-you-go — the Lyria 3 Pro generator on this site is one such path, no Google Cloud setup required.
What to Watch Next
- Lyria 3.5 API availability — the model card lists Flow Music only; developer access would be a major signal.
- Lyria 3.5 spec disclosures — length, languages, and fidelity figures are still rolling out.
- Access consolidation — Google has been expanding Lyria across surfaces with every release wave.
FAQ
When was Lyria 3 released? Base Lyria 3 launched February 18, 2026 inside the Gemini app; Lyria 3 Pro was announced March 25, 2026; Lyria 3.5 released July 29, 2026.
Is Lyria 3 available now? Yes. Lyria 3 and Lyria 3 Pro are widely available across Google surfaces and third-party studios. Lyria 3.5 is available but only through Google Flow Music, per its official model card.
When was Lyria 3 Pro released? Announced March 25, 2026, and rolled out across Gemini, API, Vertex AI, Vids, and Dream Track in the following weeks.
When did Lyria 3.5 come out? July 29, 2026, alongside its DeepMind model card.
Is Lyria 3.5 better than Lyria 3 Pro? "Better" isn't settled — 3.5 is newer with official claims of improved musicality and vocals, but its model card compares it to Lyria 2, not Lyria 3 Pro, and its specs and distribution are still limited. Our Lyria 3.5 vs Lyria 3 Pro comparison breaks down what's confirmed vs still rolling out.
Where can I use Lyria 3 today? Gemini app (free, 18+), Gemini API, Vertex AI, Google Vids, YouTube Dream Track, ProducerAI, or credit-based studios like the Lyria 3 Pro generator here.
The Bottom Line
The Lyria release story is three waves in six months: clips (Feb), full songs (Mar), and the newest model (Jul). Today, Lyria 3 Pro is the safe, documented choice with broad access — and Lyria 3.5 is the exciting newcomer still finding its footing. Whatever wave you're on, you can run Lyria 3 Pro without a Google Cloud project through the credit-based generator here, and our Lyria 3 overview maps every access path.
Sources
- Google — Lyria 3 Pro announcement (Mar 25, 2026): https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/technology/ai/lyria-3-pro/
- DeepMind — Lyria model page: https://deepmind.google/models/lyria/
- DeepMind — Lyria 3 model card: https://deepmind.google/models/model-cards/lyria-3/
- DeepMind — Lyria 3.5 model card (Jul 29, 2026): https://deepmind.google/models/model-cards/lyria-3-5/
- Google — Introducing Lyria 3.5 in Google Flow Music (Jul 29, 2026): https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/models-and-research/google-labs/lyria-3-5/
Update note: rollout dates and availability change fast — the timeline above reflects official announcements as of August 2026; verify current distribution on Google's pages before planning around it.
