Google's Long-Standing Voice Assistant to Be Replaced by Gemini
Google has officially announced the retirement of Google Assistant in favor of its AI-powered Gemini. The transition will begin on September 4, 2026, affecting mobile devices, tablets, and wearables.
Have you gotten used to asking your phone to set a timer, check the weather, or read your messages to you? Very soon you will have to get used to a new voice and a completely different interface. Google has officially announced that it is parting ways with its long-standing voice assistant, Google Assistant, and replacing it entirely with its artificial intelligence, Gemini. This change is going to affect the way you interact with your devices on a daily basis.
When is this happening and where will the service stop?
Google's move will begin to take effect on September 4, 2026, when the company will gradually remove access to the personal assistant, a process expected to last several weeks. Once access is removed, you will no longer be able to use the old assistant or return to it. The change will apply to mobile devices, tablets, Wear OS watches, headphones, and also to Android Auto systems projected from your mobile to your car.
However, there are devices that will continue to enjoy the old assistant even after the designated date. In vehicles where the Google system is built-in, the assistant will continue to operate as usual. At the same time, Google is already planning to bring Gemini to other devices in the home, such as Google TV televisions, smart speakers, and Google Home screens, although it is not yet clear when the change will reach the Pixel tablet in docked mode.
How to prepare for the new transition?
Parting with the feature was originally supposed to happen as early as the end of 2025, but Google decided to extend the time to allow for a smoother transition for users. As of now, the option to return to Google Assistant is still available within the Gemini app for those who prefer the familiar interface, but this is only a temporary solution that will be completely cancelled upon the completion of the move in 2026.
Google expresses great confidence that Gemini will provide users with a personal assistant experience that is more advanced, smarter, and possesses far greater capabilities than what we have known in the past.
The company promises to do everything to ensure an easy and convenient transition, so all that remains for us to do is to start getting used to the new era of artificial intelligence in our pocket.
