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How do I use voice commands now that Gemini replaced Google Assistant?

By the AndroidAnswers Editorial Team · Updated

About 5 minutes · Apps & Play Store

Illustration of a phone showing a microphone, with a speech bubble on one side and a sound wave on the other

Steps to check

  1. Check that Google is your phone's assistant app

    Gemini lives inside the Google app, so the Google app needs to be your default assistant. Open Settings → Apps → Default apps and look under Digital assistant app. If it does not say Google, tap it, tap Default digital assistant app, and choose Google. Google shows the same choice whether you use Gemini or the older Google Assistant. If you cannot find it, search Settings for "digital assistant app".

  2. Turn on "Hey Google" and Voice Match

    Open the Gemini app. Tap your profile picture (or initial), then Settings → Talk to Gemini hands-free, and turn on "Hey Google". Follow the steps on screen to set up Voice Match, which teaches the phone your voice so it only answers you. If you already used "Hey Google" with Google Assistant, it should keep working right away. Google notes that "Hey Google" is not available in every language, or for supervised accounts, but you can still tap the microphone in the Gemini app and talk.

  3. Or start Gemini with a button instead of your voice

    On most phones you can press and hold the power button (Samsung calls it the Side button) to start Gemini, then speak. Some phones also let you touch and hold Home, or swipe up from a bottom corner. If holding the button opens the power-off menu instead, change it in Settings.

    Samsung Settings → Advanced features → Side button → Long press. Choose Digital assistant, tap the gear icon next to it, and make sure Google is selected.Pixel Settings → System → Gestures → Press & hold power button, then choose Digital assistant.

  4. Use the same everyday commands as before

    You can talk to Gemini in plain words, the same way you talked to Google Assistant. Google's example phrases include ones like "Set timer for 10 minutes", "Set alarm at 7 AM", "Call [name]", "Call my voicemail", "Text [name] running late", "Remind me at 3 PM to call [name]", "Turn on flashlight", "What's my battery level?", and "Skip" or "Pause" for music. Timers and alarms use your phone's clock app. Calls and texts use your phone's own Phone and messaging apps.

    Samsung Gemini uses the Samsung Clock app for alarms and timers. On the Galaxy S25 or later and some phones with One UI 7 or later, reminders can go to Samsung Reminder.Pixel Gemini uses the Clock app by Google for alarms and timers. Reminders go to Google Tasks.

  5. Let it help when the phone is locked

    If Gemini asks you to unlock first, check its lock screen settings. In the Gemini app, tap your profile picture → Settings → Gemini on lock screen. Turn on Use Gemini without unlocking. If you want hands-free calls and texts, also turn on Make calls and send messages without unlocking. Think about who else can pick up your phone before you turn that one on. Google says some personal requests, like reading your calendar, will still ask you to unlock.

  6. If something you used is missing, you have choices

    Google's help pages say a few Assistant features are not supported in Gemini yet, including podcasts, news and radio stations, some music services, and Interpreter mode. Reminders also need Gemini's Keep Activity setting turned on. If a feature you rely on is missing, open the Gemini app, tap your profile picture, and look for Switch to Google Assistant. If you see it, tap it, choose Google Assistant, then tap Switch. If Gemini keeps opening when you do not want it, you can turn off "Hey Google" in the same Talk to Gemini hands-free screen, or change what holding the power button does (see step 3).

Normal vs. not

Usually normal

Gemini answers out loud and shows text instead of the old cards, or asks you to unlock the phone before it reads something personal.

Worth a closer look

"Hey Google" never wakes the phone even after you turned it on and set up Voice Match, or Gemini cannot hear you at all. That points to the microphone, so test it with a voice recording or a call.

What people are saying

Common questions

Can I type instead of talking?

Yes. When Gemini opens over your screen, you can type your request instead of speaking. You can also open the Gemini app and type in the box at the bottom.

Will my smart speaker or TV change to Gemini too?

No. Google says smart speakers, smart displays, TVs, and cars keep using Google Assistant. Watches, headphones, and earbuds paired with your phone switch along with it.

Why does Gemini open when I did not ask for it?

Something may sound like "Hey Google" to it, or a button press may be starting it. In the Gemini app, go to Settings → Talk to Gemini hands-free to turn "Hey Google" off, and check what holding the power or Side button is set to do.

Sources we checked

Menu names can differ by phone brand and Android version. See our editorial policy for how we check steps.