Google will discontinue its Google Assistant on Android devices starting September 4, the company confirmed, as it shifts resources to its newer AI platform, Gemini. The move ends a decade-long run for the voice assistant that ships on billions of phones, smart speakers, and other gadgets.
Why the change now
Google has been gradually folding Assistant features into Gemini since early 2024. The company says Gemini offers more advanced conversational abilities and better integration with its suite of apps. The September cutoff applies to the classic Google Assistant on Android, though some devices like smart displays and speakers may still run a limited version until further notice.
What happens to existing Assistant features
Users who rely on Assistant for alarms, reminders, smart home controls, or navigation will find most of those functions available in Gemini. Google has not provided a full list of features that won't carry over, but it has said that some legacy capabilities tied to older Assistant versions may not be replicated. The company recommends that users switch to Gemini before the deadline to avoid service interruptions.
Timeline and impact
The shutdown begins September 4. After that date, Android devices still running the old Assistant will no longer respond to voice commands or process requests. Google has not said whether it will force an automatic update or leave it to users to manually enable Gemini. The change does not affect Google Assistant on iOS, where the app remains available for now.
For the millions of people who have built routines around Google Assistant, the transition means learning a new interface and possibly losing some customizations. Google has not detailed how it will handle user data or saved preferences during the migration.
