How to use Google Assistant on your phone or tablet
If you use Android, you may have run into Google Assistant. It’s installed by default on Android devices, which is why many people use it. You’ll find the assistant on phones, Chromebooks, smart speakers, andthe best Google TVs. Google Assistant is versatile and has a range of features, such as asking questions and setting alarms. If you’re new to the Google ecosystem, ourin-depth Google Assistant guideexplains the basics. When you’re familiar with the platform, you’re ready to activate the assistant on your Android phone and use its best features.
The Google Assistant has never sounded so good
How to set up Google Assistant on your phone or tablet
Google Assistant is available for Android, iOS, iPadOS, and ChromeOS:
Chromebooks managed by schools can’t access the “Hey Google” functionality. Devices managed by Family Link need parental permission to activate Voice Match functionality.
How to use Google Assistant
You can use Google Assistant immediately after installing it. The default values for most of the settings are solid. Still, you might want to change a few things to tailor your digital companion to your needs.
First, go into settings, customize how you want to trigger Google Assistant, and train it to recognize your voice. Here’s how to do that:
Repeat this process and retrain Google Assistant’s voice model if it struggles to recognize your voice.
These routines can seriously help out your day-to-day life
Using Google Assistant from the lock screen
Biometric unlocking seems to be a hit-or-miss type of thing. When it works, it’s great. When it doesn’t, and you want to trigger Google Assistant without unlocking your phone, use voice activation from the lock screen. Activating this is as easy as switching on a toggle in the Settings app. Here’s what to do:
Now, you can use Google Assistant without unlocking your phone. However, you may need to get past the lock screen to perform actions like sending a text, making a call, or other functions that require access to another app.
Activating this setting gives Google access to your smartphone’s microphone even when your device is locked and in your pocket or bag. Be aware of the privacy implications of this.
Talk to Google Assistant without using the Hey Google trigger
When most people think about using Google Assistant, they think of it as something you speak to. While that is possible, it isn’t the only way to interact with it. If voice activation isn’t practical (think libraries or at night) or if you have speaking difficulties, talk to Google Assistant over text.
Tap theAssistantshortcut from your home screen or app tray to activate Google Assistant without voice commands. You can also launch Google Assistant by tapping themicrophone iconin the Google search bar widget on the home screen.
Depending on your device, there are other ways to call upon Google Assistant. If you’re unsure how your phone is set up, swipe diagonally from either corner of the bottom of the screen or press and hold thehome buttonorpower buttonuntil the assistant appears.
Depending on how you open Google Assistant, it might listen for your voice before it does anything. Press thekeyboard iconto switch to text input. Or, change a setting so that it defaults to text input.
Google Assistant Routines are a simple way to get the most out of your day
Here’s how to force Google Assistant to always ask for commands via text instead of voice:
If you don’t like how your assistant sounds,change the Google Assistant voice.
What can Google Assistant do?
Google Assistant can do everything from giving directions for the quickest route home to making dinner reservations. If you’re new to Android or Google, check out our list of thebest tips to get the most out of Google Assistant. The built-in functions are voice-activated things like the weather, restaurant recommendations, and reminders. Ask it, “What’s the weather like?” or tell it to remind you to turn off the oven in five minutes, and it accurately responds to both requests.
Google Assistant is a good hands-free helper, allowing you to open apps, send messages, and place calls with your voice. Its strengths are its automation, routines, and integration with the Android operating system and Google’s app ecosystem.
Google Assistant Routines
One overlooked Google Assistant feature is the Routines functionality. This automation suite lets you set up custom, multistep operations that you trigger manually or when certain conditions are met. You can use any phrase to start a routine and use any operation available to the assistant within a routine.
Check out our favoriteGoogle Assistant routines that make life easier. To use those routines or to set up your own, return to the Google Assistant options in Settings. Here’s how:
To automate chained features (for example, activating and deactivating silent mode on a schedule), create two routines. One to activate or adjust the setting and the other to revert the change.
Google Assistant is great, but so is Samsung Bixby
Congratulations, you’re officially a Google Assistant expert. You now have the tools to use Google Assistant efficiently and automate routine tasks. You won’t be mashing your fingers against the glass of your phone as much. If you use a Samsung device, you might be more interested ingiving Samsung Bixby a try.
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