Gemini Replaces Google Assistant on Android Devices
Google's Assistant is slowly being phased out on Android devices as part of a plan to replace it with Gemini. The deprecation, originally set for 2025 and later extended to 2026, is now widely rolling out after starting in September. Users have reported seeing the Google Assistant replaced by Gemini on all their devices/accounts in the US and Europe.
The migration appears to be complete, as evidenced by the removal of the 'Switch to Google Assistant' setting from the Gemini app. This change affects Android devices, including smartphones, tablets, and paired devices like Wear OS, headphones, and Android Auto. However, users can still access Google Assistant on other devices such as smart speakers and displays.
The shift to Gemini marks a significant change for Android users who have grown accustomed to using the Google Assistant. While the exact timeline for this transition was announced in early August, it is clear that Gemini has now taken center stage as the 'voice assistant experience' when long-pressing the power button or swiping from the corners.