The Google Assistant era ends: Gemini to become the new default AI assistant on Android phones starting September..

Google Assistant, a key component of Android smartphones for nearly a decade, is now on its way out. Google had signaled last year that it would fully prioritize its new AI assistant, Gemini. The company has now initiated the final phase of this transition. Starting next month, Gemini will replace Google Assistant as the default assistant on Android smartphones.

Users on social media platforms like Reddit and X have reported receiving emails from Google notifying them of this change. According to the company, the phased removal of Google Assistant from Android phones will begin on September 4. This process will not happen all at once but will roll out to all eligible devices over the course of a few weeks.

The most significant change is that once the migration to Gemini is complete, users will not have the option to revert to Google Assistant. This rule applies not only to smartphones but also to tablets, paired devices, and other supported gadgets.

Google has clarified that on Android devices supporting Gemini, it will become the new default AI assistant. Users will still be able to activate Gemini just as before—by saying "Hey Google" or by long-pressing the phone's power button.

The company also noted that if Gemini is set as the default assistant on a smartphone, it will automatically become the active assistant on connected Wear OS smartwatches, compatible headphones, and earphones.

In terms of features, Gemini offers almost all the standard capabilities of Google Assistant. It allows users to set timers, get answers to questions, control smart home devices, and play music. Additionally, Gemini incorporates new AI-driven capabilities, promising a smarter and more useful experience than before. Users will also be able to perform various tasks directly from the lock screen.

Google Assistant was first launched in May 2016 and remained an integral part of the Android ecosystem and various Google products for nearly ten years. In March of last year, Google announced that Gemini would eventually replace Google Assistant on Android phones, tablets, smartwatches, cars, TVs, and other supported devices.

 According to the initial plan, Google Assistant was set to be completely shut down by March 2026, but the company extended this timeline for an undisclosed reason. Meanwhile, Google has been continuously adding new AI features and capabilities to Gemini, and is now taking the final steps to establish it as the primary digital assistant within its ecosystem.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.