It's the end of an era for one of Android's crowning technologies, but all things must change
You have just a month to say your goodbyes to an old Android friend
by Britta O'Boyle · T3
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Quick Summary
Google Assistant will soon be removed from Android phones, Wear OS smartwatches, headphones and Android Auto.
The virtual assistant will be retired and fully replaced with Gemini from 4 September 2026, so you have just under a month to say goodbye.
Google Assistant launched way back in 2016, so there is a good chance you've come across it at some point. That might have been on an Android phone, an iPhone, a smart speaker, headphones or even a car through Android Auto. We could go on – the list of devices it's been available on is not insignificant.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. With Gemini on track to replace it – and doing so quickly – the company has confirmed the date Google Assistant will be shuttered on Android phones and smartwatches.
When is Google Assistant shutting down on Android?
Picked up by 9to5Google, an email has been sent to existing Google Assistant users, explaining that the service is “being discontinued” on mobile devices.
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It also highlighted, just in case you haven’t been keeping up over the last couple of years, that Gemini is now the assistant experience on Android.
Google detailed in the email that Google Assistant will begin to be removed from devices starting on 4 September 2026, and that will include Android phones, Wear OS smartwatches, headphones and any cars “running Android Auto projected from a user’s mobile device”.
The company did say the process may take a few weeks, so you might have a few days grace. However, it’s time to start saying your goodbyes.
Google added in the email that after its removal, you will no longer be "able to use or switch back to Google Assistant on your phone, tablet, or paired devices”.
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It also said: “We are committed to providing a smooth transition and are confident that Gemini will offer you an even more capable and helpful assistant experience."
Let’s hope that’s the case. We really did like Google Assistant.
TOPICS
Google