Google plans to phase out Google Assistant in favour of its AI-powered Gemini across Android smartphones, tablets, and Wear OS watches by September 2026, prompting concerns over a challenging migration process and user experience impact.
Google will begin withdrawing Google Assistant from Android phones, tablets and Wear OS smartwatches on 4 September 2026, replacing it with Gemini as the default voice assistant on supported devices. The change will roll out gradually over several weeks, and once a device has been migrated, users will no longer be able to switch back to Assistant.
The move marks the clearest sign yet that Google is consolidating its consumer voice strategy around Gemini, its AI-powered assistant and chatbot. On compatible phones and tablets in supported regions, Gemini will take over familiar entry points such as the “Hey Google” wake phrase and the long press of the power button. Google has also been shifting Assistant branding across Android, with some settings menus now referring to hands-free activation as a Gemini feature.
The retirement is expected to affect more than handsets. Google says connected headphones, some Wear OS watches and Android Auto will also lose Assistant access, because they depend on the phone-based service. By contrast, cars with Google built in are set to keep Google Assistant for longer, while smart speakers, smart displays and Google TV are not part of this phase of the transition.
The handover has been building for some time. Technology outlets have reported that Google has already trimmed several Assistant features and moved them into Gemini, including functions such as live translation and photo sharing. Reporting from TechRadar also suggests the Android Auto shift has been rocky for some users, with call-related glitches prompting complaints and workarounds. Google has said the migration should be smoother because both services use the same account, and users who do not already have Gemini can download it from the Google Play Store.
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