diff --git a/src/strands/experimental/bidi/models/gemini_live.py b/src/strands/experimental/bidi/models/gemini_live.py
index 88d7f5a0c..67150520c 100644
--- a/src/strands/experimental/bidi/models/gemini_live.py
+++ b/src/strands/experimental/bidi/models/gemini_live.py
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ def _resolve_client_config(self, config: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Any]:
 
         # Set default http_options if not provided
         if "http_options" not in resolved:
-            resolved["http_options"] = {"api_version": "v1alpha"}
+            resolved["http_options"] = {"api_version": "v1beta"}
 
         return resolved
 
@@ -429,12 +429,14 @@ async def _send_image_content(self, image_input: BidiImageInputEvent) -> None:
         await self._live_session.send(input=msg)
 
     async def _send_text_content(self, text: str) -> None:
-        """Internal: Send text content using Gemini Live API."""
-        # Create content with text
-        content = genai_types.Content(role="user", parts=[genai_types.Part(text=text)])
+        """Internal: Send text content using Gemini Live API.
 
-        # Send as client content
-        await self._live_session.send_client_content(turns=content)
+        Uses send_realtime_input for text delivery. Gemini 3.1+ models only
+        accept send_client_content for seeding initial context history — mid-session
+        text must go through send_realtime_input. This path is also compatible with
+        Gemini 2.5 models.
+        """
+        await self._live_session.send_realtime_input(text=text)
 
     async def _send_tool_result(self, tool_result: ToolResult) -> None:
         """Internal: Send tool result using Gemini Live API."""
@@ -491,7 +493,9 @@ def _build_live_config(
         """
         config_dict: dict[str, Any] = self.config["inference"].copy()
 
-        config_dict["session_resumption"] = {"handle": kwargs.get("live_session_handle")}
+        live_session_handle = kwargs.get("live_session_handle")
+        if live_session_handle is not None:
+            config_dict["session_resumption"] = {"handle": live_session_handle}
 
         # Add system instruction if provided
         if system_prompt:
diff --git a/tests/strands/experimental/bidi/models/test_gemini_live.py b/tests/strands/experimental/bidi/models/test_gemini_live.py
index 3a9d7e3dc..0b0cd160f 100644
--- a/tests/strands/experimental/bidi/models/test_gemini_live.py
+++ b/tests/strands/experimental/bidi/models/test_gemini_live.py
@@ -198,14 +198,13 @@ async def test_send_all_content_types(mock_genai_client, model):
     _, mock_live_session, _ = mock_genai_client
     await model.start()
 
-    # Test text input
+    # Test text input — routed through send_realtime_input (Gemini 3.1 compatible)
     text_input = BidiTextInputEvent(text="Hello", role="user")
     await model.send(text_input)
-    mock_live_session.send_client_content.assert_called_once()
-    call_args = mock_live_session.send_client_content.call_args
-    content = call_args.kwargs.get("turns")
-    assert content.role == "user"
-    assert content.parts[0].text == "Hello"
+    mock_live_session.send_realtime_input.assert_called_with(text="Hello")
+
+    # Reset for next assertion
+    mock_live_session.send_realtime_input.reset_mock()
 
     # Test audio input (base64 encoded)
     audio_b64 = base64.b64encode(b"audio_bytes").decode("utf-8")