Google Assistant will stop working on Android phones, Wear OS devices from September 4th
Google has confirmed that it will begin shutting down Google Assistant on Android devices from September 4th, marking the next phase of its transition to Gemini as the company’s default AI assistant. The move was expected after Google announced earlier this year that Assistant would be retired in 2026, but the company has now shared a concrete timeline for existing users.
Once the rollout begins, users will no longer be able to access or switch back to Google Assistant on supported Android devices. The change will happen gradually over several weeks.
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Google Assistant to be phased out from Android devices
In an email (via) sent to existing users, Google said Google Assistant is “being discontinued” on mobile devices and that Gemini is now the default assistant experience on Android. The deprecation covers Android phones and tablets, Wear OS smartwatches, headphones, and vehicles running Android Auto projected from a user’s phone. Once the transition reaches a device, Google Assistant will no longer be available as an option.
However, not every platform is affected immediately. Google says cars with Google built-in will continue using Google Assistant beyond September 4th. The announcement also does not apply to Google TV devices, Google Home speakers, or smart displays yet, although Gemini is expected to arrive on those products in the future. It also remains unclear when Google’s docked Pixel Tablet will make the switch.
Interestingly, the Gemini app still includes a “Switch to Google Assistant” option for now, but that choice will disappear once the phased rollout reaches users.
Google has spent the past year steadily replacing Assistant with Gemini across its ecosystem, calling the newer AI-powered assistant as a more capable tool for conversations, content creation, and productivity tasks. The company had originally planned to retire Assistant by the end of 2025 before extending the timeline to 2026.
For most users, the transition is unlikely to require any action if they have already switched to Gemini. However, those who still rely on Google Assistant’s familiar voice commands or prefer its simpler interface will need to adapt once the change reaches their devices. Companies including Google, Apple, Samsung, and Amazon increasingly replacing traditional voice assistants with generative AI experiences. While Gemini offers more advanced AI capabilities, users who mainly use an assistant for quick tasks such as setting alarms, controlling smart home devices, or checking the weather may want to compare its day-to-day performance before fully embracing the transition.
