Nota importante: Scorri dalla cornice inferiore per avviare l'assistente su Android.

Remember when you could long press the Home button or tap the Google search widget microphone to launch Google Assistant and complete various tasks, like setting a reminder or an alarm? This option is still available; it's just hidden behind a shift upwards.

Where has Google Assistant gone?

Thanks to artificial intelligence, how our Android phones work is changing rapidly, for better or worse. Gemini has largely replaced Google Assistant, although it's an optional change (for now), but it's also more difficult to invoke the assistant to complete tasks.

I miss the ability to press the microphone or hold down the Home button or Home side bar and ask my phone to set a reminder, create an alarm, send a message to someone, or make a call. Now, a long press opens Google Circle for search, and pressing the microphone and speaking executes a Google search of the text you said instead of automatically doing what you requested. This change has reduced our device functionality, and complaints about it are widespread on all Google support forums and Reddit.

Now, to complete any of the tasks previously managed by Google Assistant, you must first say "Hello Google". You can also use the "Invoke" gesture or modify the power button shortcut to start Assistant/Gemini. This is a big step if you care about voice commands on your Android phone. Here's how to turn them back on.

How to Easily Start Your Assistant with a Snap

The easiest way to "call" Google Assistant or Gemini now is with a simple gesture. If you don't know how yet, you can swipe in from the bottom left corner of your Android phone to activate it. Then, ask it to set a reminder, turn on the flashlight, make a call, and all those useful voice commands.

It should be enabled by default, but if not, to invoke Google Assistant or Gemini on Pixel devices, go to Settings > Display & Touch > Navigation Mode > Gesture Navigation > and enable "Swipe to Invoke Assistant".

Those with a Samsung Galaxy or other devices can go to Settings > Display > Navigation Bar > and enable the swipe in for the "Assistant" app, which is a swipe in from one of the bottom corners of your phone.

Now, all you have to do is swipe in from either of the two bottom corners of your phone, then use your voice to ask your Android phone to complete any of the many tasks it can manage.

I don't know what you think, but I always use voice commands on my phone. Having immediate access to this from the desktop widget or Home button is much better, but Google is too busy wanting us to use Circle for AI Search instead.

How to set the default assistant app

You can choose whether your phone uses Google Assistant or Gemini, at least for now, and here's how to switch between them. This way you can try Gemini and see how it suits you. Or, if you accidentally enabled Gemini but want to go back to Google Assistant.

Go to Settings > Google > All Services > Search, Assistant and Voice > Tap Gemini (or Google Assistant) and scroll down to "Google Digital Assistants". Now, choose which option you want to use, and you're ready.

Additionally, you can access Settings > Applications > Default Apps and completely replace Assistant/Gemini with another option, like Bixby, Alexa, Copilot, and more.

Currently, we all know Google Assistant, regardless of our phone or smart speakers and displays. However, Gemini can do almost the same things, plus some features like understanding what's on the screen, creating an AI summary, and much more. Additionally, Gemini is improving over time.

Whatever way, choose what works best for you and enjoy it.