To turn off voice assistant on Android, you need to disable the conversational assistant (like Google Assistant or Bixby) rather than the TalkBack accessibility screen reader. Users typically disable these assistants because they activate accidentally, feel intrusive, or drain battery life.
Turn off Google Assistant completely
Open the Google app, tap your profile picture, go to Settings > Google Assistant > General, and toggle off "Google Assistant." This stops the assistant from responding to any voice commands or system triggers.
Disable 'Hey Google' voice match
Stop the side or power button from launching the assistant
To prevent the assistant from opening when you long-press the Power or Home button, go to Settings > System (or Advanced features) > Gestures (or Buttons/Side key), and change the action from Assistant to "Power off menu" or "None." This is especially useful for fixing voice assistant and microphone fixes, as accidental button presses are a common cause of unwanted activations.
Remove Google Assistant as the default digital assistant
Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Digital assistant app, and select "None." This prevents system gestures and shortcuts from launching any assistant, even if the app remains installed.
What about TalkBack and Bixby?
TalkBack is an accessibility screen reader that provides spoken feedback, distinct from a conversational voice assistant like Google Assistant or Bixby. To quickly turn off TalkBack, press and hold both volume keys simultaneously for a few seconds until you hear confirmation. Alternatively, turn off TalkBack via settings by navigating to Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack, then tapping the "Use TalkBack" switch and confirming "Turn off" or "OK". On Samsung devices, Bixby is a proprietary voice assistant that cannot be entirely uninstalled. To remap the Side key (Bixby button) on Samsung phones, go to Settings > Advanced features > Side button, and change the "Press and hold" action to "Power off menu".
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the Google Assistant toggle is missing from General settings?
If you have switched to Gemini, the option to toggle off Google Assistant in the General settings may not appear. You will need to adjust Gemini's settings or revert to the standard Google Assistant to see the toggle.
How do I quickly turn off TalkBack without going through settings?
Press and hold both volume keys simultaneously for a few seconds. Your phone will confirm the action, and TalkBack will stop.
Will disabling the voice assistant improve battery life?
Yes, because the assistant no longer listens for wake words or runs background processes, which can reduce battery drain over time.
Can I still use voice typing after disabling the assistant?
Yes. Disabling Google Assistant or Bixby does not affect the keyboard's built-in voice typing feature, which is separate from the conversational assistant.
Related reading: How To Turn Off Google Assistant Voice On Android and How To See Your Phone Number On Samsung.
