Google will begin discontinuing Google Assistant on Android phones, tablets, Wear OS smartwatches, headphones, and Android Auto cars using Android devices starting September 4, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The shutdown process is expected to take several weeks to complete after this date, during which users will lose access to Google Assistant on these devices. "We will begin removing access to Google Assistant starting on 4 September, and expect that this process may take a few weeks to reach everyone," Google said in a user email. "Once availability is removed, you will no longer be able to use or switch back to Google Assistant on your phone, tablet or paired devices" [2].
Google Assistant will remain available on Google Home speakers, Google TV devices, and cars with Google built-in for the time being [2, 3, 4, 5]. Older Android phones running Android 9 or below with less than 2GB of RAM will continue to have functional Google Assistant after the shutdown on newer devices [5].
The discontinuation follows Google's transition to its new AI assistant, Gemini, which replaces Google Assistant on supported Android devices [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Gemini has been available as a user option since March 2024 and became the default assistant across Android platforms in 2025 [4]. Previously, if Gemini could not complete a task, some devices fell back to Google Assistant. After September 4, 2026, this fallback will no longer be available [3]. However, Gemini is only available on devices meeting minimum specifications and in supported regions [2, 5].
Some users have expressed frustration with Gemini compared to Google Assistant, citing errors and usability issues. One Reddit user said, "Wanted to call my father while I was driving, so I told Gemini to call him. It gave me the definition of the word 'father' instead of calling him. Went back to Google Assistant immediately. Please Google, don't force me to switch to Gemini... I hate it." Another wrote, "Gemini makes me unlock the phone to change the temperature. It's useless." [3]
Google originally planned to retire Google Assistant in late 2025 but delayed the shutdown to improve Gemini [1, 2, 3, 4]. The September 4 date marks when Google will start disabling Assistant access on the main affected devices.
