How To Use Google Assistant On Android: Setup & Voice Commands

To use Google Assistant on Android, you need a compatible device running Android 5.0 or higher with at least 1.0GB of available memory (or Android 6.0+ with 1.5GB), a 720p or higher screen resolution, and the latest Google app and Play services installed. Google Assistant is typically preinstalled on your device, so you can start using it immediately after setup.

What you need to use Google Assistant on Android

It also needs Google app version 6.13 or higher, Google Play services, and a screen resolution of 720p or higher. Google Assistant is preinstalled on most Android devices, so you do not need to download a separate app. However, an official shortcut app is available in the Play Store if you want a home screen shortcut.

How to set up Google Assistant on Android

Setting up Google Assistant involves enabling Voice Match so it can recognize your voice. Follow these steps:

Open the Google Home app on your device.
Say “Assistant settings,” then tap “Hey Google and Voice Match” under “Popular settings.”
Turn on “Hey Google.”
Follow the on-screen prompts to teach Google Assistant to recognize your voice. Speak clearly when prompted.
Grant the necessary permissions, such as microphone and location access, when requested.

Once complete, your Assistant will respond to your voice and provide personalized results.

All the ways to activate Google Assistant

You can activate Google Assistant using several methods:

Voice activation: Say “Hey Google” or “OK Google.”
Home button: Touch and hold the Home button on your device.
Power button (Pixel 6 and later, including Fold): Press and hold the Power button. For Pixel 4a or later devices running Android 12 and up, enable this by going to Settings > System > Gestures > Press and hold the Power button.
Gesture navigation: Swipe inward from either bottom corner of your screen.
Keyboard input: Trigger Assistant, then tap the keyboard icon to type your command.

Useful voice commands for Google Assistant

Once activated, you can use these practical commands:

“What’s the weather like today?”, Get real-time weather updates.
“Set an alarm for 7 AM”, Create alarms.
“Remind me to buy groceries at 6 PM”, Set reminders.
“Call John”, Make phone calls from your contacts. This works with Google Voice and internet calling options if you have them set up.
“Play some music”, Start music from your preferred app.
“What’s on my calendar for today?”, Review your schedule.
“Tell me a joke”, Get a lighthearted joke.
“Show me nearby restaurants”, Find local places to eat.

How to customize Google Assistant settings

You can tailor Google Assistant to your preferences through the Google Home app. To choose your preferred input method (voice or keyboard), open the Google Home app, go to "All settings," tap "General," then "Preferred input," and select "Voice" or "Keyboard." You can also manage devices, set up routines, customize the voice and language settings, and control smart home devices from the same menu. For multiple Assistant devices, you can enable or disable specific ones and assign functions to each. Routines let you automate tasks, such as saying “Good morning” to turn on lights and play music.

How to turn off Google Assistant or disable 'Hey Google'

To completely turn off Google Assistant, open the Google app, tap your profile picture, go to Settings > Google Assistant > General, and toggle off "Google Assistant." To disable only the voice activation while keeping other features, go to the Google app > Profile icon > Settings > Google Assistant > Hey Google & Voice Match, and turn off "Hey Google."

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Google Assistant?

Google Assistant is an artificial intelligence-powered virtual assistant developed by Google. It responds to voice commands to perform tasks like answering questions, setting reminders, managing smart home devices, and playing music.

Can I use Google Assistant without an internet connection?

Some basic functions, such as setting alarms, timers, and reminders, work offline. However, features like web searches, app access, and smart home control require an active internet connection.

Is Google Assistant available in multiple languages?

Yes, Google Assistant supports multiple languages. You can change the language in the Google Home app settings. Note that some features may not be available in all languages, and the Assistant typically supports one language at a time for conversation, though you can teach it to recognize additional languages through the Gemini mobile app or Google Home app settings. Google Assistant SDK only supports one language at a time for conversation.

How do I activate Google Assistant on my Android device?

You can activate it by saying “Hey Google” or “OK Google,” touching and holding the Home button, pressing and holding the Power button (on supported Pixel devices), or swiping from the bottom corners with gesture navigation.