My Android Phone Has Gemini Instead of Google Assistant. What Changed?

What this helps with: Your Android phone now answers “Hey Google” with Gemini, not Google Assistant. This guide shows what changed, what you can still do by voice, where the settings went, and how to keep your chats private.

The short answer: Gemini is Google’s new helper on Android phones. You can still say “Hey Google.” You can still set alarms and timers, make calls, send texts, ask about the weather, and set reminders. Some settings moved into the Gemini app.

What changed

• Google Assistant is gone on most Android phones. Google began removing it on September 3, 2026. The change took a few weeks to reach everyone.
• Gemini took its place. Gemini is a kind of AI (artificial intelligence). You can talk to it in plain words, and it talks back.
• You can’t switch back. Google says that once the change reaches your phone, you can no longer use Google Assistant on it.
• Things paired with your phone changed too. That means a watch with Wear OS, earbuds that work with Gemini, and Android Auto in the car when it runs from your phone.

Good to know: A car with Google built in still uses Google Assistant.

What you can still do by voice

Say “Hey Google,” then ask. For example:

• Alarms: “Set an alarm for 7 a.m.” or “Snooze.”
• Timers: “Set a timer for 20 minutes.”
• Calls: “Call Tara” or “Call my voicemail.”
• Texts: “Text Tara I’m on my way.”
• Weather: “What’s the weather today?” Gemini now answers with words and voice, not a weather picture.
• Reminders: “Remind me to call the pharmacy at 2 p.m.” Gemini saves it in Google Tasks (or Samsung Reminder on many Samsung phones). For more, see How to Set Reminders With Your Voice.

Not there yet: Google says some old Google Assistant features don’t work in Gemini. This includes some podcasts, news, and radio stations, and Interpreter mode.

For emergencies, use your Phone app. Google says not to use Gemini to call 911 or other emergency services. Open your phone’s Phone app and call directly.

How to start Gemini

You have a few ways:

1. Say “Hey Google.” This works if it is turned on (see the next section).
2. Press and hold the power button. This is the button on the side of the phone.
3. Swipe up from a bottom corner of the screen. This works on some phones.
4. Open the Gemini app and tap the microphone to talk, or type your question.
   • What you’ll see: A Gemini box opens over your screen. It shows your words, then the answer.

Where the settings moved

Most settings now live in the Gemini app.

1. Open the Gemini app.
2. Tap the menu at the top left. Then tap your picture or first letter.
3. Tap Settings.

In Settings, you can find:

• “Hey Google”: Tap Talk to Gemini hands-free, then turn on “Hey Google.” Follow the steps to set up Voice Match, so Gemini knows your voice.
• Locked phone: Tap Gemini on lock screen. Here you choose if Gemini can help, or make calls and send texts, while your phone is locked.

Tip: Button names can be a little different on each phone. If you can’t find a setting, type it into the search bar at the top of your phone’s Settings app.

Privacy basics

When you talk to Gemini, Google can save your chats in your Google account. This is called Gemini Apps Activity. The setting that saves it is called Keep Activity.

• If you’re 18 or over, Keep Activity is on unless you turn it off.
• By default, Google deletes your Gemini activity after 18 months. You can change this to 3 or 36 months.

To see or delete your Gemini activity:

1. On a computer, or in your phone’s web browser, go to myactivity.google.com/product/gemini and sign in.
2. To delete, tap Delete, then choose Last hour, Last day, or All time.
3. To stop saving, tap On near the top, then Turn off (or Turn off and delete activity).

Before you turn it off, know this:

• Google says reminders and Google Tasks need Keep Activity on. With it off, voice reminders may stop working.
• Calls and texts by voice still work with it off.
• Even with it off, Google keeps your chats for up to 72 hours to run the service. They don’t show in your activity.

Your choice: It’s fine to leave it on or turn it off. Pick what feels right for you.

Old Google Assistant history isn’t deleted on its own. You can find and delete it at myactivity.google.com.

Don’t share private info, like passwords, bank numbers, or your Social Security number, with any AI helper.

If something stopped working

• “Hey Google” does nothing. Open the Gemini app, then Settings, then Talk to Gemini hands-free. Make sure “Hey Google” is on. Set up Voice Match again if asked.
• The power button doesn’t open Gemini. Open your phone’s Settings, then Apps, then Default apps, then Digital assistant app. Make sure the Google app is chosen.
• Reminders stopped working. Check that Keep Activity is on (see “Privacy basics”). The first time, Gemini may ask to connect to your Google apps. Follow the steps on screen.
• Calls or texts don’t work. Gemini needs your OK to use your Phone and Messages apps. If Gemini asks to connect them, follow the steps on screen.
• It asks me to unlock my phone. For some personal things, like your calendar, Gemini needs your phone unlocked. Unlock it, then ask again.
• The weather looks different. That’s normal. Gemini now answers out loud and with words, not a weather picture.

What about my Google Nest or Google Home speaker?

The September change was for phones, not smart speakers. Google says it doesn’t affect Google Nest and Google Home speakers and displays. Many of them still use Google Assistant.

Google is slowly offering speakers an upgrade called Gemini for Home. If you get it, the Google Home app will show a message called “Introducing Gemini for Home.” The basic features are free. Google says that once you switch your home, you can’t switch back. To learn more about smart speakers, see What Is a Smart Home?

Related guides

• How to Set Reminders With Your Voice
• What Is AI? A Plain-Words Guide
• AI Scams: Voice Clones and Fake Videos

Official sources

• Google: Transitioning from Google Assistant to Gemini on mobile
• Google: The Assistant experience on mobile is upgrading to Gemini
• Google: Get started with the Gemini mobile app
• Google: What you can do with your Gemini mobile app
• Google: Gemini on your lock screen
• Google: Make calls with Gemini
• Google: Send messages with Gemini
• Google: Tasks and reminders with Gemini
• Google: Manage and delete your Gemini Apps activity
• Google Nest Help: Learn about Gemini for Home

Last checked: Oct 22, 2026

This is general help, not personalized tech support. Features vary by phone, language, and country. AI changes fast; we review our AI guides every month. We don’t favor any company.