Google Assistant to Shut Down on September 4; Gemini Becomes Default AI Assistant

Google Assistant is officially being discontinued on supported Android mobile devices, with Gemini replacing it as the default AI assistant beginning September 4. The transition will take place in phases over several weeks, affecting smartphones, tablets, Wear OS watches, compatible earbuds, and Android Auto systems connected to users’ phones. Once the migration is complete, users will no longer be able to switch back to Google Assistant on eligible devices.

Google announced that the move is part of its ongoing transition to Gemini, the company’s next-generation AI-powered assistant designed to provide more advanced conversational capabilities and smarter productivity features. The rollout will apply to Android devices that meet the minimum system requirements and are located in regions where Gemini is currently supported.

After the update reaches a device, familiar commands such as “Hey Google” and long-pressing the power button will automatically launch Gemini instead of Google Assistant. Google says the experience will remain familiar while offering enhanced AI capabilities powered by its latest language models.

The change is not limited to smartphones and tablets. Google confirmed that Gemini will also become the assistant on accessories paired with an Android phone. This includes Wear OS smartwatches, Gemini-compatible wireless headphones and earbuds, and Android Auto when projected from a user’s mobile device.

Beginning September 4, users will lose the ability to access or switch back to Google Assistant on these paired devices as well. However, Google clarified that vehicles equipped with Google built-in will continue using Google Assistant beyond September 4, 2026, meaning the current announcement does not affect those in-car systems.

Google also emphasized that the transition only applies to Android mobile devices and accessories connected to them. Other Google products, including Google TV devices and Google Home speakers and smart displays, are not part of this rollout. The company said separate announcements regarding Gemini’s expansion to those platforms will be shared at a later date.

The decision represents another major milestone in Google’s AI strategy, which has increasingly focused on integrating Gemini across its products and services. Over the past year, the company has gradually expanded Gemini’s availability while introducing new AI-powered features for Android users.

Users with unsupported devices or those living in regions where Gemini has not yet launched may experience a different rollout timeline depending on device compatibility and regional availability. Google recommends checking whether a device meets Gemini’s minimum system requirements before the transition begins.

Google says it is committed to making the migration as seamless as possible and believes Gemini will deliver a more capable, personalized, and intelligent assistant experience than Google Assistant.

With the phased rollout beginning on September 4, the retirement of Google Assistant on supported Android devices marks the end of an era and the beginning of Gemini’s role as Google’s primary AI assistant for mobile users. As the transition continues over the coming weeks, millions of Android users can expect Gemini to become the new default way to interact with Google’s AI across their mobile devices and compatible accessories.