Google starts pulling Assistant from phones on September 4, and once it goes there is no switching back. Eight settings to fix before it reaches your device.
Removal starts Sept 4 on phones, tablets, Wear OS watches, earbuds and phone-projected Android Auto. It rolls out over weeks, so your devices flip on different days.
Settings > Apps > Default apps > Digital assistant app. Set Gemini here, then open the Gemini app and sign in with the account your phone actually uses.
Settings > System > Gestures > Press & hold power button. This decides whether a long press wakes your assistant or just opens the power menu. Try it now.
In the Gemini app, tap your profile picture > Settings > Talk to Gemini hands-free, and switch "Hey Google" on. Voice Match has to be set up for it to answer.
Gemini settings > Gemini on lock screen > Use Gemini without unlocking. Off means every call or text you ask for waits behind your PIN. Some tasks still will.
Gemini settings > Screen context controls whether it can read text from your screen and take screenshots. Handy for "what does this say" — check it if you'd rather not.
Gemini settings > Connected Apps is where Gmail, Maps, YouTube and the rest get their permissions. Anything left off is a command Gemini will refuse later.
Assistant routines now live in the Google Home app under the Automations tab. Rebuild the morning and bedtime ones there before your phone loses the old assistant.
A family tablet or a paired watch follows the account signed in on it, not yours. Kids' access to Gemini is controlled separately in Family Link, so check that too.
Gemini drops Interpreter mode and some third-party music, radio and podcast services. Test the ones you rely on now, while Assistant is still there to fall back on.