Google Assistant Will Be Discontinued on Android

Google has notified Android users that it will begin removing access to Google Assistant on September 4, 2026. The change ends the voice assistant’s decade-long run after its 2016 launch.

Gemini, Google’s AI-powered assistant, will become the default assistant experience on Android devices. The transition will not happen for everyone at the same time. Google says the process will take several weeks to reach users, depending on their device, country, and language.

Once the update reaches a device, Google Assistant will no longer be available to use or switch back to on that phone, tablet, or paired device.

How Gemini Will Replace Google Assistant

The familiar ways of calling up an assistant on Android will remain, but they will open Gemini instead of Google Assistant.

After the change is applied, users who say “Hey Google” or press and hold the power button will launch Gemini. Google has said it is committed to a smooth transition and considers Gemini a more capable and helpful assistant experience.

The shutdown covers more than Android phones. Google Assistant access is also being removed from:

  • Android tablets
  • Wear OS smartwatches
  • Headphones and earbuds
  • Android Auto sessions projected from a mobile device

For people who use Assistant across several connected devices, that wider rollout is the part that may feel most noticeable. The change is not limited to the phone in your hand.

Devices That Will Keep Google Assistant for Now

Not every product using Google Assistant is included in this September phase-out.

Cars with Google built-in will retain Google Assistant beyond September 4. These vehicles run Google’s automotive operating system directly, rather than relying on a connected phone for Android Auto.

Google Assistant will also remain available for now on:

  • Smart displays
  • Smart speakers
  • Google TV devices

Google has confirmed that Gemini is coming to these types of devices, including Gemini for Home on connected speakers and Gemini for Google TV. But it has not provided a timetable for those changes.

Some Android users may also keep Google Assistant temporarily. Devices that do not meet Gemini’s minimum requirements, along with users in unsupported regions, may continue using Assistant until Google completes its broader retirement plan.

Why the Google Assistant Retirement Took Longer Than Expected

Google Assistant’s retirement did not follow its original schedule. The company had initially planned to retire it by the end of 2025, but the plan was delayed while Google developed different Gemini experiences for different device categories.

Google later indicated that Assistant would remain available until March 2026. That deadline passed without the service being removed.

The September 4 date is the first specific shutdown timeline Google has communicated directly to users. It gives Android users a clear date for the start of the transition, although individual devices may not change immediately.

Gemini has also received improvements during 2026. Android Police reported that it now surpasses Google Assistant in almost every way, while noting that some day-to-day features still have rough edges.

What Android Users Can Expect After September 4

September 4 marks the beginning of the Google Assistant removal process, not necessarily the day every Android device changes over. Google expects the rollout to take several weeks across devices, countries, and languages.

For affected users, Gemini will replace Assistant when using voice activation or the power-button shortcut. Google Assistant will no longer be an option to restore once the transition reaches the device.

The experience will differ by product type. Android phones, tablets, Wear OS devices, headphones, earbuds, and projected Android Auto sessions are part of this phase. Google-built-in vehicles, smart displays, speakers, and Google TV devices are not included at this stage.