It's Final: Google Is Removing Google Assistant from Android Devices
Google has confirmed that starting September 4, access to its long-standing voice assistant, Google Assistant, will be removed from Android phones, tablets, and connected devices in favor of Gemini.
In March 2025, it was reported that Google would phase out its long-standing voice assistant in favor of Gemini by the end of the year. The transition process has now reached a definitive date. According to an email sent to users and published by The Verge, the company will begin removing Google Assistant—first launched in 2016 and activated via "Hey Google" or "OK Google"—from Android-based phones and tablets starting September 4.
On devices where Gemini is available and meets the minimum requirements, users will no longer be able to select Google Assistant as their primary assistant. The only options will be to switch to Gemini or forgo a voice assistant entirely. Connected devices, including smartwatches, headphones, and earbuds, will also lose access to the legacy assistant.
Minimum requirements for the Gemini app on Android devices include 2GB of RAM or more and Android 9 or higher. On new Android devices, Gemini is already the default setting.
"We will begin removing access to Google Assistant starting September 4. We expect the process to take several weeks until it reaches all users," Google stated in the email.
Once access is removed, users will no longer be able to use or revert to Google Assistant on their phones, tablets, or connected devices. The change will also apply to Wear OS watches, vehicles with Android Auto, and other supported accessories. At this stage, vehicles with Google built-in are not affected, and Google Home and Google TV devices will continue to support Google Assistant.
The move is not unexpected, as Google had previously announced its intention to end support for Assistant on most mobile devices throughout 2025. The transition to Gemini has now entered its final stage, and Google Assistant is set to join the list of products Google has discontinued over the years.
